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- 1). Detach all installations and fixtures from the wall, including outlet and switch covers. If you have any nail holes, dents or divots in the wall, fill in these low areas with filler putty. Allow any repair work to dry completely before continuing with installation.
- 2). Wrap a piece of 80-grit sandpaper around a sanding block. Sand the entire backsplash wall, roughing up the surface. This will bring any repair work flush with the rest of the surface, and will also make the old paint more accepting of tile adhesive.
- 3). Measure to the horizontal center of the backsplash area with a measuring tape. Draw a vertical line up from this point to create a guideline to follow during installation.
- 4). Lay out your tiles in your desired pattern on the floor or countertop next to the backsplash. This will help to ensure you have your desired pattern and will make it easier to install the tiles in the proper order.
- 5). Mix tile mastic and water in a bucket, following the mastic's product instructions. Some adhesives may require other additives as well, so follow all instructions carefully.
- 6). Spread the mastic across the bottom of the backsplash wall, holding your mason's trowel at a small angle to achieve an even layer of mastic. Only cover an area large enough to support eight tiles; otherwise, the mastic may dry before you have a chance to lay tiles in the entire area.
- 7). Set the tiles in the bottom row first, starting at your center guideline. Leave a small gap (1/8 inch to 1/4 inch) between the bottom row of tiles and the top of the counter for later sealing. Press all tiles firmly into place.
- 8). Cut tiles to fit under a cabinet or against the edge of the backsplash. Measure the full tile and the location it needs to fit, and cut it with a tile cutter.
- 9). Continue installing tiles, adding more mastic as necessary. If the mastic dries too quickly, scrape off the old layer and apply a completely new layer of adhesive with the flat edge of your trowel. Allow all tile adhesive to dry overnight before grouting.
- 10
Mix unsanded grout and water in a bucket per product instructions. Spread the grout across the surface with a rubber grout float. Move diagonally across the tiles to pack the grout firmly into the joints. - 11
Wipe the tiles clean of excess mortar with a damp sponge. After 30 to 45 minutes, buff the tiles with a clean, dry rag to remove any haze leftover from the grout. - 12
Apply a thin bead of silicone caulk into the area between the bottom tiles and the countertop. You may also need to caulk around cabinets or other fixtures, where grout does not fit. - 13
Reinstall all fixtures once the grout and caulk dry for at least 24 hours.
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