Do you have a kitchen in need of a new backsplash? I used these spacers for this project and they were great – you can snap pieces off to get the exact configuration you need and they helped keep everything nice and level. I’m so excited about how this turned out, and I love the finished result. Thank you so much for the lesson … I now know that I CAN do it! We’ve clearly still got a few things on the to-do list, like replacing all of the lighting, adding under-cabinet lighting, and deciding what to do above the cabinets (continue the tile or add some open shelving?) I found that the best strategy for me was to hit a tile until all of the pieces started to loosen up, then I used the back of my hammer (or my pry bar) to peel the tile off. Like I mentioned before, I like to just replace my drywall rather than repair it. Swoon! As you work, be sure to check on the water level frequently to ensure it doesn’t get too low. OH my Gosh the little boy brought such memories and happiness to us. Basically, just go to town on the tile until it starts falling off the wall. window.fd('form', { Add tile spacers for help keeping the tile pieces lined up. It isn’t pretty if you look at it without the outlet cover, but thankfully it’ll be covered up so no one has to know. To begin, I started on one side of my kitchen (the side by the refrigerator because it’s the least visible – in case I had a bit of a learning curve! Honestly, at this point, I felt like my kitchen was already vastly improved from the before. Dampen the surface of the tile with water on a sponge before applying grout. These white subway tiles are a great way to get a vintage look in your kitchen. Required fields are marked *. After removing the old cabinet it wasn’t exposed brick but mortared over the brick and the exposed corner of the chimney is now a sharp radius. Then be sure to pin this post for later to help you find it when you’re ready! formId: '5d839cbe8ab47e000f14432c', It took me about two days to complete, and cost less than $200. Adding decorative tiles to the lost space found between the countertops and upper cabinets can give your kitchen a whole new look. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. Maybe next time I do a tiling project I’ll put together a quick Power Tools for Beginners video for it?! Once your drywall is ready to go, it’s time to start laying the tile! I used my wet saw and basically just cut on either side of where the notch needed to be, then made a ton of tiny cuts until the entire notch for the outlet was removed (you can use tile clippers to speed this process up), but I’m sure there are more efficient methods. I like to work with pre-mixed thinset – it’s definitely more expensive, but in my mind, it’s worth the cost to not have to deal with mixing it to the perfect consistency. Next, we prepped our wall surface using mortar/mastic/mud and a notched trowel. If you’re demolishing old tile, you’ll also need: Obviously, the first step is to remove your old tile and prep your drywall for fresh tile. Be sure to move slowly and steadily. With your skim coat layer of adhesive down and dried just enough, you are ready to start putting your tile on. I replaced the backsplash in our kitchen! After you’ve allowed the grout in one section to set for about 10 minutes, go back with a damp sponge (you want it to be wet enough to clean the tile but not so wet that it’s dripping) and wipe down the tiles to remove any grout from them. When we removed the old cabinets we knew there was a chimney in one corner. Apply two coats, then sand it down with a sanding block so it’s nice and smooth, and you’re good to go. Apply firm, even pressure to each tile to make sure it's set in the adhesive. containerEl: document.querySelector('#fd-form-5d839e061f3845000f2e624c') I didn’t do this for all of the lines, just the ones that looked like they needed a little extra help. Grab your first one and line it up with the beginning of your section. but man, I feel good about this change! Use a tape measure and measure the width and length of the space you want to cover with subway tiles. Mark the Layout's Centerline. Vertical Running Bond. Below are a few tips and tricks on the steps to install subway tile backsplash . Draw a center line. If you know ahead of time that you’re removing the drywall as well, you don’t need to be too careful about messing it up. I also did it in the corners simply because I found it extremely difficult to get grout into those deep corners any other way. Use this polished subway tile to add interest and understated elegance to the backsplash, shower … This doesn’t need to be its own step really (it’s kind of self-explanatory), but I’ll use whatever excuse I can get to insert this adorable photo of Jackson helping me take the spacers out of our tile. This is exhausting and no fun and it will suck. These tiling tips for beginners will give you the confidence you need to tackle tiling your own kitchen backsplash. Continue that pattern and you’ll end up with the coveted and classic subway pattern. Continue in that manner until the whole area is grouted and cleaned. So, expect mistakes and try to enjoy the learning curve! Don’t have a kitchen renovation on the agenda at the moment? Your email address will not be published. The entire process is best done in small chunks, which you’ll kind of see in the photos. You don’t want to work with sanded grout on vertical surfaces – it’s really meant for flooring and areas with larger grout lines – so be sure to look for grout that’s specifically labeled as unsanded. After some backbreaking work, your backsplash will look like a tornado went through it. I've taught myself how to make simple updates to help make my house a home, and I want to show you how to do it, too. I mean, can you imagine trying to repair that hot mess and actually getting a level surface when all is said and done? I am installing subway tile for a backsplash in our kitchen. Establish the perimeter of the area you’ll cover, and apply painter’s tape to the walls to mark the edges. Tiling can be a little messy, so it's wise to protect floors, countertop surfaces, and … You can find a good tutorial about how to use a wet tile saw HERE. Decide on the area you’re going to start on, then use your trowel to scoop up some thinset. There will be a max fill line – don’t go above that or you’ll just make a big mess. To apply your tile in a subway pattern, just start with a full piece of tile on your first row, then cut a piece of tile in half to start your second row. You’re ready to bask in the glory of a kitchen with a beautiful new subway tile backsplash. If you have an old house where things simply aren’t level or plumb (that’s called character!) Loved your post. The tops of all tiles in the bottom row must meet this line or be cut (from the bottom) to line up with the mark. I will just take my time and make sure I do each procedure properly. Follow the lines you made when the tiles were dry fit to the wall. Check that the countertop is level. Repeat steps 3-5 until your entire backsplash is tiled. Before you can learn how to install subway tile backsplashes, you need to remove whatever is standing in as your current backsplash. 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