It was New Years Eve and Dave and I installed our backsplash.
It was one of the many things I have wanted to do to improve our kitchen,
The tools you need are simple, you can get them at any hardware store.
1. Trowels (this allows for an even adhesive spread and good "buttering")
2. Tile Spacers (these will easily become your new best friend)
3. A Mixer (that attaches to your drill)
4. Painters Tape, Grouting Sponge, and Razor
5. A positive attitude.
6. A sidekick. (Preferably an adorable one)
7. tile border (optional, pictured below in square 2)
8. A tile saw (these require a hose hook up)
9. Mastic and Grout
• First we cut our tile border to size and secured where we wanted it
with screws. (1 and 2)
Also, be sure to prep your wall by removing outlet covers.
• Next, I laid out my tile along the wall (on the counter) a few rows deep
to see what kind of pattern I wanted and made sure each end tile was
a generous size and not a tiny sliver. (3)
• We taped out our area with blue painters tape to insure a clean line.
• Then we used our trowels to spread the Mastic (we used omni grip
maximum strength) along the bottom of the wall where we would start
applying our tile. We applied this straight to the wall but only applied
enough to adhere a few tiles, not to the entire wall. *Dave advises using
thin-set on cement board for projects like a floor or shower wall that
will get more action and wear and tear* (4)
• When we applied the tiles we "buttered" the back of each tile with a flat
trowel. This is done to insure a 'good stick'. Than we adhered it to the wall
and smushed it on. *Dave advises to clean up any excess mastic that squeezes
out of the sides of your tile, because it is difficult to clean off once its dry.* (4)
• In between each tile we placed the spacers, so we could squeeze the
tiles tight together and ensure even spacing. (6)
• When we hit an outlet or the end of the wall Dave used the tile cutter
to cut the tile to size. (7)
• Finally we had the entire wall covered (Oh Heavenly Day!) and it
was time to relax and let the Mastic dry.
• The next day we removed all the spacers, and cleaned up the lines in
between the tiles with a razor and mixed our grout.
• We used Non Sanded bright white grout. *Dave advises that when mixing
the grout use a clean bucket and add a little water in the bottom of bucket
before you pour your grout in.* Mix it up with that crazy mixer that attaches
to your drill. Its kind of like baking. But way cooler.
• When the grout reaches its proper consistency *peanut butterish* dive in there
with your grout sponge and and use your sponge to squish it between all
the tile spaces. Applying pressure in multiple directions.
• Then we wiped the tiles down with a normal sponge and found the
spots that we missed and reapplied our grout.
• Dave wiped it down 2-3 times throughout the night to make sure the tiles
were clean and the grout didn't dry on top of them.
And than BAM we had a Hot Back Splash... Don't you think?
