Name: How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash
Uploaded: 2020-03-13T04:53:24.000Z
Duration: 4 min 16 s
Description: Thousands of YouTube videos with English-Chinese subtitles! Now you can learn to understand native speakers, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation...

Give your kitchen a fresh look with a tile backsplash.

Lowe’s has lots of tile to choose from, including mosaics on mesh backing, which makes

Quick tip: a tile backsplash in your kitchen can go right over drywall since kitchens are

Begin with a little prep: turn off the power, and remove the outlet covers.

Tape off the outlets, cabinets, and countertops.

Move your appliances and attach a temporary ledgerboard where the backsplash ends.

You may have to tuck the outlets into the boxes.

Your walls should be clean—a quick wipe-down with TSP and water is a good idea.

And glossy surfaces will need to be sanded or deglossed.

Also, check that the wall is relatively flat.

Apply joint compound to any dents, dips, or ripples deeper than 1/16-inch.

When the prep’s complete, plan your layout.

Tile backsplashes need a 1/8-inch expansion gap around the perimeter, and some patterns

look best when centered, either in the work area or behind a focal point, like the stove

Find your center and mark a vertical line.

Using this reference line as a starting point, dry lay the tiles along the wall and check

If the cut tiles will be too thin, you can adjust the layout to get wider pieces at the

Cut tiles are best hidden under cabinets, but you might also have to cut a little off

the bottom row if your countertop isn’t level.

Here’s how you know how much to cut off.

Use a level to find the lowest point on the counter.

Hold a tile at this spot--accounting for 1/8-inch expansion at the bottom--and mark the top.

Now use a level to extend this line along the work area.

This line will be your guide when cutting tile to fit along the counter.

To see where the tile will end up at the top of the installation, make a jury stick.

Mark a straight board using the tiles and spacers in the vertical layout.

If you’ll have tiny slivers of tile at the top, move the layout down a little bit, and

When your layout looks good, you’re ready to install.

It should be similar to the consistency of peanut butter.

White thinset is best for glass tile since it might show through.

Spread a little bit on the wall and don’t cover your reference lines.

Comb over the mortar with a notched trowel.

Grab the first piece of tile and press it onto the wall with a little twist.

Gently press against it with a rubber float.

If you need to make a cut to the second piece, mark the tile, and cut it with a wet-saw--mesh-side

Apply the next piece the same way, and use spacers if needed.

Keep installing the tiles working in small sections and make sure to check level frequently.

Remember to leave 1/8-inch gap at the countertop.

Another installation option is to use adhesive mats instead of thinset.

Mix the grout according to the directions, usually a cake batter-like consistency.

Using a rubber float, apply it diagonally across the tiles, pressing it into the joints.

After ten minutes, wipe away the excess with a wet sponge.

Be careful not to wipe the grout from the joints.

A haze might form, but it will come off with a haze remover.

Before following up with a grout sealer, allow the grout to dry according to your specific

Remove the masking, and fill the expansion gaps with caulk or silicone sealant.

And add box extenders to outlets and switches.

A little bit of tile can add a lot of style.

Go to Lowes.com/HowTo or just click to subscribe.

Subtitles ListPlay Video

How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash

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