How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash-Tips and Tricks

We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Learn more.

A backsplash tile cannot only protect your wall but adds beauty to your kitchen. Such tiles come in a wide variety of designs including the mosaics.

The process of installation greatly varies depending on factors such as mesh backing, the complexity of the design, presence or absence of electrical switches, and types of tiles.

How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash – The Procedure

Assemble the tools and materials that you need.

Get the right measurements of the area to tile before purchasing tiles. Add a few tiles as insurance. All tiles must be similar in size and design. This is to confer uniformity.

Prepare the wall:

Ensure that the wall is clean. You can clean the walls using a solution of tri-sodium phosphate. Also, ensure that the wall is flat. If there are some dents, fill them, and then let the wall dry.

You'll need to cut off the power supply to your kitchen and remove all switch plate, and any outlet covers from the area to be tiled. You then have to clear that area as well as protect it using a ledger board. It temporarily supports the tiles.

Check how flat your wall is before laying the tiles on the counter to determine whether they fit or you’ll need to cut them.

Mortar preparation and lying:

• Prepare the mortar as per the manufacturer’s instruction.

• Using a massons trowel, Apply a thin layer of the mortar to the wall. Apply when the trowel is at 45-degree angle. The layer should be thin.

The area of mortar you apply should not exceed three by 3 feet because it will dry before you place tiles.

Lay Tiles:

• Between the tiles, you'll need about 1/8-inch expansion gap.

• Locate the center of the area you are tiling and draw a vertical line. However, this will depend on the type of tile you are using. If some tiles need cutting, cut using a good tile saw, taking care not to destroy the important part. You can hide the cut tiles under the cabinet. If your counter top isn't level, you'll have to cut from the bottom.

• To find the lowest level of your counter, you'll have to use a spirit level.

• Attach the first tile. Tap the tile and ensure it is balanced and level. It is a good practice you start from the bottom so that cabinets will hide any cut tiles. Always start at the center to ensure proper balance.

• Put the next tile and repeat the procedure. If spacers are provided, use them. Remember to wipe or remove the excess grout as you proceed.

• Always ensure that the tiles are level. So, you'll have to make a few stops along the way to check on that.

Lastly, grout the tiles. Do this after 24hours or according to manufacturer’s instructions. Before doing applying grout, clean the tiles using a sponge.

Conclusion:

Experts know better how to do tilling on a backsplash without much difficulty. For beginners, it might take wisdom to figure the right way out. However, if you want to know how to tile a kitchen backsplash, it is imperative to follow the laid down procedure.