How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash

Step-by-step

1. 1

   Prep the wall

   Remove outlet covers, kill power to outlets in the area, clean the wall, and lightly sand glossy paint for adhesion.

2. 2

   Find your center line

   Measure and mark the center of the longest wall. Dry-lay a row on the counter to check that end cuts aren't under an inch.

3. 3

   Spread thinset in small sections

   Never spread more than you can tile in 15 minutes. Comb with the notched side of the trowel in one direction.

4. 4

   Set tile with spacers

   Press tile firmly with a slight twist. Use spacers between every tile. Level as you go — one crooked tile telegraphs to the whole run.

5. 5

   Cut around outlets and edges

   Score-and-snap for straight cuts, wet saw for L-cuts around outlets. Extend outlet boxes forward with box extenders to compensate for tile thickness.

6. 6

   Grout and seal

   Wait 24 hours. Mix grout, work into joints diagonally with the float. Wait 20 min, sponge off haze. Second haze pass at 2 hours. Silicone (not grout) the tile-to-counter joint — it will crack otherwise.

Safety note: this guide is educational. Always follow local building codes, pull required permits, and hire a licensed pro for structural, electrical, gas or plumbing work when in doubt.