How To Install A Tiled Kitchen Backsplash

Goober

How To Install A Tiled Kitchen Backsplash
Author: Goober

Wondering how to install a tiled kitchen backsplash ? You have come to just the right page!

A great looking backsplash can make you kitchen look absolutely fabulous ... backsplashes are in a way unique because not only do they serve to help you easily clean your kitchen wall, but they also can be a design feature that can set your kitchen truly apart ... your sink area would look a lot better and it will also be protected in addition.

Agreed, stainless steel tiles do look good on a kitchen backsplash ... but they do not really set your kitchen apart. Just about every new condo unit seems to have one. So if you are wanting to make your kitchen look and feel unique, then you might want to use a backsplash design that's truly unique ...

And using tiles with unusual but attractive designs is one way to accomplish just that.

In case you are wanting to see some examples of unique and beautiful tile designs for your backsplash, then you may want to take a look at http://www.jerusalempottery.biz/products/Tiles/walltiles.htm .

Here is how to ...

Easily and Quickly Install a Tiled Backsplash

. Check if the wall is dry and can hold the weight of the tiles : If you install the tiles when your wall is not completely dry, then the moisture may be "locked in" and this would most likely cause the wood to rot. So you may want to ensure that the wall is completely dry and is in good condition.

. Estimate the amount of materials like tiles, grout, solvents, caulking and more that you may need for the project. A dealer should be able to assist you with preparing the estimate.

. Buy whatever you may need for the project. One tip you may want to keep in mind when buying tiles for the backsplash is that you may want to buy a few more tiles than required - this is to account for the breakages that may occur. Having a few extra tiles of the same design and preferably of the same batch would ensure that your backsplash looks uniform all over.

. Prepare the surface of the wall to be tiled : The objective of this exercise is to make the surface of the wall free of soap, grease, dirt - to make it clean, dry, waterproof and flat. Loose particles of paint, dust and more will have to be removed from the wall's surface. To get this done, you may have to wash, scrape, sand or even do some filling (to make the wall flat). If the wall is not adequately prepared, then the installed tiles may not stay there for long.

. Determine the horizontal and vertical boundaries within which you will be installing the tiles : Since your kitchen tub or floor may be uneven, you might want to use a level to locate the lowest point of the wall and draw a horizontal line a tile height above the tub or floor line. You would not want to install tiles below this line.

. Tile Installation : Before you actually begin tiling, you may want to ensure that your tiled backsplash's grout veins and the countertop's grout veins line up - in case your countertop is also tiled that is.

Also, you would want to ensure that power to all the electrical outlets in the area are turned off in the vicinity where you are working.

. Apply tile : You may want to start laying tiles from the base of the backsplash. And you may want to use a level to ensure that the tiles are square. Apply the mastic to an area that you could cover by tile in a few minutes, and press the tiles into position (ensuring that they are square of course ) or just flop them from their bottom edge. You might want to take care not to use too much pressure as this would lead to mastic getting into the joints.

Continue to lay tiles in a row starting from the very first tile and wipe off excess mastic that may occasionally ooze up between the tiles.

. Cutting off tiles : You may need to cut off parts of tiles at the extremities. To do this, just score the tile using a tile cutter and use either a tile saw or tile nippers to cut the tile.

The edges of cut tiles are usually very rough and irregular and hence you may want to use a whetstone to smooth the edges. But if the edges of an outlet would cover the edges of cut tiles, then you may not want to expend much effort in making the edges smooth.

Once all the tiles have been laid, you may want to remove any left over mastic from the wall using a cloth and some solvent. Also ensure that the surface of the tiles are free from adhesives and are clean.

Let the mastic set for whatever period the manufacturer recommends ( usually about a day's time or so ) and then proceed to apply the grout. You may want to take the precautions recommended by the manufacturer while applying grout as grout may at times irritate skin and eyes.

Installing a tiled kitchen backsplash sure takes time, planning and effort. But if this is done right, not only could you have a gorgeous backsplash but also a kitchen that looks great too.

Questions & Comments: Please feel free to add your comments and questions below.

boomermitra · Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 35

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