How to put backsplash tiles on a wall

A tile backsplash spices up the room and transforms a small wall area into a tiled paradise. Most backsplashes involve a kitchen wall. Whether it’s a basic square pattern or a fancier pattern with different shapes, the process is the same. The basics of laying tile on a wall include adhesive and grout. As long as your tile is level, which is easy to achieve with a kitchen wall, your backsplash is attractive.

Instructions

1. Sand the wall with 100-grit sandpaper. You don’t need to remove all the paint, just roughen the surface so the decal will adhere more easily to the wall.

2. Shape the tile to your liking. Before you install the tile, know what you want it to look like. Put some pieces on the wall first without any kind of adhesive. For a backsplash, you may want molding along the bottom and standard 6-by-6-inch tile along the rest of the walls.

3. Measure and cut the tile to the pattern you want. For thin trim along the bottom or edges of the wall, decide on the size of the trim. Cut the tile to the recorded size with a tile cutter.

4. Apply the tile adhesive to the wall with a notched trowel. There are many different types of tile adhesives, some with mortar and some without. Read the manufacturer’s instructions to determine if you need to mix the adhesive before applying it. Plane the wall at a 45 degree angle with the notched trowel. Do not apply an excessive amount as it covers the grout lines. Apply the adhesive to small areas of the wall. Once you place the tile on the adhesive, go ahead and apply the adhesive to another small area.

5. Put the tile on the wall. Start by placing a tile piece in any of the bottom corners of the wall. Align the bottom of the tile with the bottom of the wall and the edge of the counter, making sure the tile is level. Continue laying another tile piece next to the existing tile. Repeat this process until the wall is covered. Always laying the next tile next to or directly on top of an existing tile ensures that the wall is level.

6. Place spacers between each tile as you lay the tile. Spacers allow for smooth grout lines. Insert a space in each tile corner. Some tiles come with pre-built spacers and do not require the use of plastic spacers.

7. Let the adhesive dry. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time, as each adhesive is different. Remove the spacers once the adhesive dries.

8. Apply grout to tile with a grout trowel. Hold the grout trowel at a 45-degree angle and brush the grout across the tile, applying the grout to the grout lines. A bead of grout lasts a long time, as long as you brush the grout at a 45 degree angle and scrape the excess down to the unfilled grout lines.

9. Dip a sponge in cold water and pat dry. Brush it over the excess grout on the tile, and then brush it along the grout lines. Use your finger to apply a little pressure as you go over the grout lines. If grout appears on the tile after an hour of sponging, use another damp sponge and go over the tile again.