How To Install Backsplash Tile On Drywall

white kitchen, kitchen, subway tile

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Give your kitchen a new look in merely one weekend with a do-information technology-yourself tile backsplash. Information technology'due south easy with our step-by-step instructions for installing affordable sheets of ceramic or porcelain tile.

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DIY Tile Backsplash

white kitchen, kitchen, subway tile

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Calculation a new tile backsplash is more than just a way to amp upwards your kitchen's style. If yous've ever lifted the mixer out of a bowl of batter just a tad early, you know that an easy-to-make clean backsplash makes practical sense, too. And it's a quick project. The beauty and utility of a new backsplash can be yours in a single weekend with our step-by-step guide for backsplash installation.

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What You Demand to Install a Tile Backsplash

classic running bond pattern

Credit: Adam Albright

Before you lot brainstorm installing a tile backsplash, gather the following tools and supplies:

• Sander (optional)
• Sponge
• Bucket
• Rags
• Putty knife (optional)
• Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
• Tile
• Painters record
• Utility knife
• Pencil
• Schluter strip (optional)
• Thin-fix mortar
• Drop cloth
• Notched trowel
• Spacers
• Level
• Record measure
• Screwdriver or drill
• Electric box extender
• Wet saw or tile cutter
• Grout float
• Non-sanded grout
• Stirrer
• Grout sealer
• Caulk and caulk gun

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Step 1: Clean Walls

scrubbing wall with orange sponge

Credit: Jason Donnelly

Showtime past turning off the power to the kitchen and removing any switchplates or outlet covers. Tile can exist applied to drywall, but remove any wallpaper or loose paint. Sand the wall of any imperfections and wipe away grit for good adhesion. Use trisodium phosphate (TSP) to remove any tough grease stains or residue. Stop by wiping walls clean with a damp rag and let dry thoroughly earlier tiling your backsplash.

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Step 2: Plan Tile Layout

taping subway tile for placement

Credit: Carson Downing

With the wall clean, tape your mosaic tile sheets in identify to check your layout. Cut sheets every bit needed using a utility knife, cutting the mesh from behind. Work out how you volition handle any gap between the tile and the bottom of the wall cabinets. Aim for a gap as shut as possible to a one-half tile. You tin can start your tiles without a grout line along the countertop or leave a grout line to assist close the gap above. Tape sheets in place all the way to the corner, again trying to achieve a gap no larger than a half tile. Marker the location of the sheets with a pencil equally you lot remove them.

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Optional: Install Schluter Strip

aligning edge of backsplash with cabinet

Credit: Carson Downing

If you lot plan to end the backsplash with a Schluter strip (from $seven, Lowe's), measure, cut, and install the strip before tiling and contain it into your layout program. Just add together the strip where you'd similar your backsplash to end with thin-set mortar. Y'all can too cull to end your backsplash with bullnose tiles, which provide a rounded border treatment. Bullnose tiles are installed once you've reached the end of your backsplash, non at the offset.

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Step three: Use Thin-Set

spreading mortar with tile trowel

Credit: Carson Downing

Tape your drop fabric to the counter. Ladle thin-fix mortar onto the wall, and carefully work it with a notched trowel to make shine, even ridges. Cheque manufacturer's specifications for recommended trowel notch size (one/8 inch is common).

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Stride 4: Install Tile Backsplash

placing subway tile onto mortar

Credit: Carson Downing

Install the whole tile sheets first, lining them upwards with your reference marks (you'll exist able to just see them through the sparse-set mortar). Continue the joints between the sheets consistent using tile spacers. Once it's applied, pull the sheet back to check for voids. Apply more than thin-set mortar as needed.

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Step v: Install Tile Around Switches and Receptacles

placing electrical box in tile

Credit: Carson Downing

Y'all'll likely run across at least 1 outlet or switch while installing a tile backsplash. To tile around receptacles, brand sure the ability is switched off at the breaker panel, and so unfasten the two screws holding the switch or receptacle, and gently pull it away from the wall. When tiling and grouting are complete, add a box extender. Because of the actress thickness of the tile, you lot might need longer screws.

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How to Install a Mosaic Tile Backsplash

Mosaic tile sheets making installing a backsplash fifty-fifty easier. Watch equally we show y'all how to update your kitchen with this fast and affordable tile project.

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Step 6: Continue Adding Tile Spacers

detail of spacers between tiles

Credit: Carson Downing

Use spacers so your tile is aligned forth the length and width of the wall. Without spacers, your tile will likely be kleptomaniacal. Also keep in mind that your walls might non be completely foursquare. To account for this, you might take to cut some tiles to fit or recoup with a larger grout line beneath the upper cabinets.

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Step vii: Install Final Row of Tile

tiled backsplash with spacers

Credit: Carson Downing

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Footstep eight: Gear up Tiles

pressing tile with grout float

Credit: Carson Downing

When all the tiles are in place, firmly press them onto the wall with your fingers or a clean grout float. Check that all the tiles are set evenly. Wipe off any excess thin-set mortar.

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Step nine: Apply Tile Grout

spreading grout betwixt tile

Credit: Carson Downing

Allow the thin-set mortar to ready (usually 12 hours), and then mix the grout. Work the grout into all the joints past moving the grout bladder beyond the tiles vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. Fill up all voids between the tiles with grout.

Related: How to Cull the Right Tile Grout for Your Project

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Step 10: Wipe Clean with Sponge

washing tile and grout with sponge

Credit: Carson Downing

After the grout is in place, wipe repeatedly with a damp (not moisture) sponge to clean the backlog grout off the tile.

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Step 11: Wipe with Dry Towel

wiping tile and grout with rag

Credit: Carson Downing

Once the grout has dried according to the manufacturer's instructions, utilise a make clean, dry out textile to remove any haze.

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Step 12: Seal Tile Grout

applying sealer to grout

Credit: Carson Downing

For like shooting fish in a barrel maintenance down the route, apply grout sealer ($vii, The Home Depot). It will reduce the likelihood of staining. Caulk where the backsplash meets the upper cabinets.

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Source: https://www.bhg.com/kitchen/backsplash/how-to-tile-a-kitchen-backsplash/

Posted by: williamsspirly.blogspot.com

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