How to Tile Backsplash on Drywall

 

In today’s construction world, tile and tile materials consist of a very prominent place. Tiles are very attractive and pretty easy to install. It can beautify a simple space with very low effort. Presently, most homeowners tend to decorate their backsplash walls with a different tile than the adjacent walls. It adds an accent to the wall majorly and removes boredom. In the following article, we will briefly talk about backsplash walls and the process of tiling them.

Backsplash Walls

These are the walls that status behind a sink or cooker. They often separate the countertop from the wall cabinet. These walls are built adjacent to the utilities that may potentially harm them. Therefore, to protect them from humidity, water and fumes, backsplash tiles are introduced in such spaces. The backsplash walls situated in the kitchen are considered dry because there’s less probability of water hazards. While the washroom backsplash tiles are considered wet due to being constantly exposed to water. The process and tiles quality hugely vary due to this phenomenon.

Installing Tiles to Drywall

The kitchen backsplash and other room decor backsplashes (where the possibility of a water hazard is minimal) can be decorated with backsplash tiles. It will enhance the aesthetic of your room. Furthermore, you can easily install them with a DIY approach. We will give a quick rundown of how you can tile the backsplash wall of your home.

Choosing Tiles and Pattern

Choosing backsplash tiles highly depends on your choice, the existing room decor, and space’s specification. Combining these three matters, you can grab any tile you want. The wall tiles are thinner than the floor tiles, so make sure to check them. Then chalk out the pattern for your tile. You can sketch it out on paper or have a mental picture. You are now ready to prepare for your project.

Tools and Materials

Before your tile installing process, gather all the tools and materials that you need. That way, you won’t have to disrupt your work and won’t lose concentration. 

The tools you may need are:

● 4-in-1 screwdriver

● Bucket

● Caulk gun

● Drill/driver

● Grout float

● Level

● Non-contact voltage teaser

● Notched trowel

● Rubber mallet

● Self-centering drill bit

● Tape measure

● Utility knife/wet saw

 

You need to gather up the materials to make the tiles stay in the wall and easily be cleaned. 

These materials are:

● Caulk

● Grout

● Grout sealer

● Mastic

● Outlet extenders

● Stone tile sealer

● Tile

● Tile spacer

Armed with these, you are now ready to go for war.

Setting up Your Backsplash Tiles

If you are doing a DIY project, you may find it a bit hard. Worry not; we’ll be going through the process step by step for easy understanding.

Step 1:

Measure your backsplash wall. You already have a design sketch; now install it accordingly. You can have three potential situations:

1. A solid wall. It will be in the middle of the space and won’t contain any windows. Mark out the middle point of the wall and start from there.

2. In this case, there will be a coroner involved. Start from the corner and work your way around it.

3. If a window is in the wall, mark out the middle point of it. And install tiles from there. The window will grab the main focus, so It’s essential to even out the tiles around it.

Step 2:

Shape the tiles according to space’s need. Slicing and notching of the tiles may require installing them correctly. A wet saw can significantly reduce your struggle in this step. However, a utility knife can also do the work.

Step 3:

Apply mastic on the back face of the tile and start from the bottom row of the wall. Apply plenty of mastics so that the area is covered all around evenly. If mastics are not applied enough, the tiles will not stick to the wall. Place tile spacers between two blocks to even out the distance among all the blocks. Complete the bottom row, then use a level to even out the surface.

Applying too much mastic may overflow the front surface of the tiles. Clear them out as soon as possible. 

Step 4:

When you reach the corner or end of your tile applying area, measure the nearest tile distance to the wall. Then subtract twice the space of your tile spacer. You need to cut this length from one of your tiles for the corner piece. You can use tape to mark it on your tile. It’ll help you visualize it clearly and will prevent tile breaking.

Step 5:

Work on the upper row and stack your tiles following steps 3 & 4. If you find a utility socket at any point, you need to cut your tile to make way for it. Rather than directly cut it through, make small notches. It’ll make cutting easier.

Step 6:

Finish the last row of your tile. You may need to cut or slice your tiles for this row. Now, you have the whole structure of your backsplash tiles.

Step 7:

Spare 24 hours to set up the mastic. Then remove the tile spacers and start grouting. Mix the grout with water and give it the consistency of the cake batter. Then apply it on the tiles by an angular back and forth motion with a float. Work in small areas and smear the whole tiled area. Give it 15 minutes to set, and then wipe off the grout from the tile surface. 

 

Cluck the corner pieces, edges of the tile, and the meeting point of the backsplash wall and countertop. It’ll seal the whole deal and present you with your brand new backsplash wall.

 

Backsplash tile work can brighten up your room significantly. So If you are bored with your contemporary interior decor, why not think about this DIY project?