How to Tile in Kitchens & Bathrooms
- 1). Shut off the power in the kitchen and bathroom where you are working and remove the outlet covers from the walls. Ensure that the power is off by using a circuit tester.
- 2). Clean the walls using warm water and a sponge and allow them to dry before proceeding with the tile installation.
- 3). Spread a thin layer of the manufacturer's recommended adhesive onto the wall with a notched trowel, holding it at a 45-degree angle. The usual adhesive used to set tile is either mastic or thinset mortar. To help keep the adhesive from drying before you apply the tiles, work in small 3-foot by 3-foot area at a time.
- 4). Lay your first tile at the base level in the center of the backsplash and place vinyl spacers at each corner. When laying this tile, twist slightly with light to moderate pressure.
- 5). Level the first tile to ensure it is square and continue to move outwards from this tile, laying tiles one row at a time with spacers in between each tile.
- 6). Wipe away the excess adhesive from in between the tiles and continue with the next row, applying adhesive when needed.
- 7). Score any tiles that need cutting using a tile cutter on the back end of the tile and cut as needed with a saw or tile nipper.
- 8). Wipe off the excess adhesive with a clean rag once you've laid all the tiles. Clean in between each tile with a rounded stick and allow the adhesive to set, removing the spacers afterwards.
- 9). Mix and apply the grout across the tiles with a rubber float. When applying, hold the float at a 45-degree angle and move in a diagonal direction to ensure that the grout packs between the tiles.
- 10
Allow the grout to become slightly firm and shape the joints using a rounded stick. Allow the grout to fully set. - 11
Wipe off the excess grout and wash the face of the tiles with a dampened sponge to remove the haze. - 12
Replace any outlet covers that you removed once the tiles have completely set. Use screws between 1 1/4-inch and 1 5/8-inch long and plastic washers so that the covers are even with the surrounding tile.
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