Install a new tile backsplash for your bathroom in an afternoon.
Installing a tile backsplash is an easy way to update or completely change the look of your bathroom vanity area. Since tile is a relatively inexpensive upgrade, it is the perfect project to tackle when you do not have the resources to remodel the entire space. You can easily complete a bathroom tile backsplash in a single afternoon, even if you do not have previous tiling experience. Follow these simple steps and you will be amazed at the difference a few hours of work can make.
Instructions
1. Figure out the area of the space you want to tile by measuring the length and width of the space, then multiplying the numbers together. Add 10 percent to the number to account for breakage or mistakes, and buy enough tile to fill in the area. Select tile to reflect the new design style you would like to see in your bathroom. Tiles can be purchased in stone, ceramic or metal finishes, as well as an endless variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
2. Ensure that the wall surface is clean and dry. Hold the notched trowel at a 45-degree angle and use it to spread a thin coat of mastic onto the wall in a one-square-foot area. Lay the tile into the mastic, jiggling it to settle the tile into the mastic.
3. Add spacers around the outer edges of the tile to maintain a consistent space between tiles. Continue to spread mastic and lay tile to fill the desired area.
4. Cut tiles that need to go around electrical outlets, mirrors or other obstacles by using either tile nippers or a tile saw. Read the manufacturer's instructions before using the saw, and wear safety goggles when cutting tile, regardless of method.
5. Remove all of the tile spaces once the mastic is dry.
6. Prepare the grout according to package instructions. Use the grout float to spread the grout across the tiles, working it into all of the lines between tiles. Hold the float at a 45-degree angle to clear as much grout as possible from the surface of the tiles. Use a damp sponge to wipe off excess grout.
7. Let the grout dry. When a haze forms on the tile, use a clean sponge to continue to remove the haze from the tile. You may have to repeat this step several times. Polish the tiles with a clean microfiber cloth.
Tags: tile backsplash, your bathroom, 45-degree angle, between tiles, into mastic