Installing a Backsplash and Bathroom Sink

Backsplash with Decorative Border

Have all of your materials nearby for an efficient installation. If you had to repair the wall to prep it for tile, spread the thinset carefully to avoid stripping off the fiberglass mesh tape. Take care to comb the thinset thoroughly in one direction for better tile adhesion. Press the first row of tile in place, aligning the grout joints with the countertop tiles, if necessary. Level the row, adjusting individual tile height with wedges. If your design includes decorative border tiles, set them in place carefully using wedges to adjust the tiles for even spacing and to create a properly sized grout joint between the border and the row of tiles below it. Continue setting the remaining rows of field tiles above the border, pressing them firmly into the thinset. The thinset I recommend can be found at the home depot.

Cut and set tiles around electrical outlets and switches as necessary, leaving enough clearance for mounting screws and to allow for the metal ears of the switch or receptacle to rest on the tile. Cut the tiles for the backsplash’s top row as needed and set them in place. Because tumbled stone tiles like the ones used in this example often don’t have available edge trim, you need to make your own trim tiles for the finished edges of the splash. After cutting edge tiles to size, round over and rough up the outside edge of each, using a pair of tile nippers. The idea is to make the cut edge look similar to a bullnose edge. The decorative border adds an interesting focal point in the finished backsplash.

If you plan to use decorative electrical fixtures, cut about two and a half threads off each screw off with an electrician’s multi-crimp and strip tool. This leaves the screws long enough to grab the electrical fixture but not strike the tile surface.

Backsplash with Quarter Round Trim

 

If the edges and ends of a tile backsplash will be finished with a quarter-round (or other radius trim), the first step is to cut and install backer board on the wall. Spread thinset on the backer board and set the first row of field tiles, lining up their grout joints with the countertop tiles (if the tiles are the same size). Make sure this row is level and adjust the tiles with wedges or spacers as necessary. To measure for the cut tile at the finished end of the backsplash, hold a quarter-round where it will be set and mark its inside edge on the countertop tile. Now place a field tile where it’ll be set and transfer the pencil mark onto the tile. Cut the tile to size and set it in place.

To lay the quarter-round trim, start on an outside corner of the splash with a “beak” (a quarter-round outside corner). You can lay the beak horizontally on top of the field tile or stand it vertically. If the beak is set vertically, you might need to trim its length to suit the height of the splash. To mark for this cut, first set a regular quarter round atop the field tile, then hold a beak upside down and put a pencil mark even with the top of the quarter-round. You can also finish off the corner with a “mini-beak,” a trim piece available for some brands of tile. Set both the side and top quarter-round pieces first, then set the mini-beak flush and even with them. Once the corner is finished, lay the rest of the quarter-rounds along the top of the splash, using your finger tips to make sure their ends are flush and even with each other.

Installing a Bathroom Sink

After you’ve grouted the counter and let ¡t cure for 2 days to 3 days you (or your plumber) can set your sink on top of the tile. Always set the sink with caulk to form a water proof line around the sink that remains flexible. If you cannot get colour-matched caulk, use clear instead. For some great offer on bathroom sinks click here.

Run a small bead of caulk around the perimeter of the sink opening on the counter. Then lower the sink into the opening until it is seated. Use a damp, clean sponge to wipe off any excess caulk and shape the caulk against the sink rim.

Tiling an Undermount Sink Counter

Setting the countertop tiles when you have an undermount sink adds a few more steps to the work required for an over-mount sink. The main difference is that you will need additional trim tiles—bullnose or quarter-round—to finish around the sink. You’ll need to prepare the sink area in a particular manner. Please read the information on preparation for an undermount sink carefully.

Before you cut and set your countertop tiles, you must determine how much room you need for the trim tiles to be set around the sink. Hold the trim up to the sink, leaving about a 1/4-in reveal (gap) between the trim and the inside sink edge, and make a pencil mark on the sink. Also mark the outside edge of the trim onto the backer board to indicate where the rows of field tile will meet the trim. Do this on adjacent sides at all four corners of the sink. Now lay a level or straightedge on the backer board marks and outline the sink on all sides. This outline shows you where the field tiles that surround the sink will be set.

Cut the tiles that go around the sink, then use a rubbing stone on their edges to smooth them, as these edges will show. Spread thinset around the sink and set the cut tiles, taking care not to obscure your pencil marks with thinset. Make sure the tiles are set square at the front and back, and that the front tiles are parallel to the sink and cabinet. To lay out the quarter-round sink trim, mark the centre line of the sink and start laying trim beginning with either a full tile or a grout joint in the centre. When you reach the corner, hold a trim tile in place and mark it for the cut. Unless there are special corner trim pieces available, you’ll need to mitre the ends of two quarter-rounds for the corner. Cut the mitres on a water saw, then use a stone on the cut edges. Back-butter the tiles with thinset and then press the trim in place. Repeat for all four sink edges until complete. The completed sink installation, framed by tile is shown above.

Setting V-cap Trim

V -cap trim has a slightly raised edge that will prevent objects from rolling off the counter, Set V-cap edge trim after setting all the field tiles on the counter. Setting this shapely trim last saves you from having to lean over wet edge tiles and risk knocking them out of alignment. V-cap trim layout begins with the layout line for the edge tiles. Aligning the first row to this layout line, set all your field tiles. Apply thinset to the back of each V-cap tile and press it into place. Some V-caps have a flat back side that’s easy to back-butter, whereas others have a curved inside surface that should be filled with thinset before the tile is set in place O. If necessary, use a spacer to allow room for a grout joint. Use a piece of tape to hold each V-cap in place and keep it from slipping. The finish edge has a neat appearance.