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Comments
mar salud
06 Dec 2007, 00:53
can you teach me how cut tile on existing wall tiles. I want to put a new
microwave and i need more space.
AsktheBuilder
06 Dec 2007, 08:02
Mar,
It sounds like you need a grinding tool since the tile is already on the
wall. It is that simple.
Ed
10 Dec 2007, 17:37
Dear Tim: I am removing the old tile from our kitchen backsplash in order
to install new tiles. The old tile was installed with cement-based thinset.
What is the best method for removing that tough old thinset? The wall is
plaster, so I don't want to have to re-plaster it.
Thanks,
Ed D., Sacramento,CA
AsktheBuilder
11 Dec 2007, 08:12
Ed,
UGH! Lots of tedious hand scraping.
Ty
02 Jan 2008, 12:27
Hi, Tim! I am about to embark on the fabulous journey of installing a
backsplash in my kitchen. I've read soooo many books and websites about
cement backerboard. I picked up Wonderboard at the Home Depot. After
reading the blurb above, I'm not sure that I still need it because I have
drywall installed already. Should I still install the backerboard on top of
the drywall? I also had a question about the edges. I cannot find bullnoses
anywhere and I can't find any resources on finishing tile edges without
them. The person who did my bathroom before I moved in placed some kind of
tubing on the edges because I imagine bullnoses were not available for that
project either. Any suggestions? Thanks!
AsktheBuilder
02 Jan 2008, 12:31
Ty,
The tile in my photo above was put on drywall.
Visit a *real* tile store - one that only sells tile - and see what options
are available to you.
carolyn robinson
11 Jan 2008, 10:05
Is there a way to avoid ending up with a partial tile next to the wall, or
what is the best way to avoid having a partial tile?
AsktheBuilder
11 Jan 2008, 10:53
Carolyn,
Design the space for full tiles. Number of people who would go to this
effort: 1 in 100,000
andi p
14 Jan 2008, 20:16
we are using brushed marble tiles for our kitchen backsplash. Please advise
whether to use thinset or adhesive to apply to drywall. we have been
advised the tiles need to be sealed before and after grouting.
AsktheBuilder
15 Jan 2008, 06:35
Andi,
I would be inclined to use white thinset. The sealing advice is accurate.
Dave L
20 Jan 2008, 10:39
I had granite (uba tuba green) counters installed, and they came with a 3"
splash on the edges. I would like to put in a slate tile splash up to the
cabinets. Two questions:
1) Should I remove the granite splash and take the slate tile all the way
down to the counters, or just take the slate down to the granite splash?
2) If I keep the granite splash, how do I work around a ~3/8" gap that
occurs in a 3' section of wall between the granite splash and the wall?
AsktheBuilder
20 Jan 2008, 11:25
Dave,
Do not remove the granite splash. Fill that void with thinset the day
before.
Mary K
20 Jan 2008, 23:10
Tim,
We have just purchased a home where the sellers recently installed a
ceramic tile backsplash--very boring with all the same color tiles. We
would like to add a dozen or so accent tiles, spaced throughout the
kitchen. Can we remove individual exisiting tiles and replace with the
accents without damaging the existing tile?
AsktheBuilder
21 Jan 2008, 07:08
Mary,
Yes you can. I am 99 percent certain in some of my past Ceramic-Tile
columns I have outlined the steps you must do. Try to spend some time
discovering those tips for me.
Luann Brainard
25 Jan 2008, 02:04
I'm having silestone countertops installed, and found silestone tiles 12x12
that match. I can find no information on if and how they can be used as
backsplash tiles. Are they set like regular ceramic tiles, with grout
lines? thanks
AsktheBuilder
25 Jan 2008, 08:21
Luann,
Yes. Treat them like tile.
Noelle
30 Jan 2008, 08:24
Can you install a tile backsplash on top of the existing tile backsplash or
do you have to remove the old tile?
AsktheBuilder
30 Jan 2008, 09:47
Noelle,
Yes you can.
Brian
18 Feb 2008, 13:33
I would really like to install a backsplash just like the one the gentleman
is installing in the photo attached to this article (the white decorative
tiles and border under a hood). Could you please tell me the name of the
tile so that I can look for it locally?
Tedra Battle
25 Feb 2008, 08:28
The last owner of my home painted over wallpaper in my kitchen and when we
went to prep the wall for the back splash we saw that it was paint over
paper over laminate. Can we tile over the laminate? If not, what do we do?
AsktheBuilder
25 Feb 2008, 19:52
Brian,
That would be me. I can't remember the name. But if you print out a copy of
the photo and visit a store that just sells tile, they will know. Also try
basket weave pattern tile in Google.
AsktheBuilder
01 Mar 2008, 15:57
Tedra,
Go type this into the search engine at the top of this page. Be sure to use
the quotation marks:
"adhesive chain"
Read the column and get your head around the concept. Then make a decision.
joe
04 Mar 2008, 11:46
Tim,
Where the backsplash and counter tile meet, should that meeting place be a
grout line or calk line horizontall? I am hearing different versions.
Thanks,
Joe
AsktheBuilder
08 Mar 2008, 17:06
Joe,
I prefer caulk.
Chi
22 Mar 2008, 13:48
Hi Tim,
I want to install glass tiles as a kitchen backsplash. My question is, can
I install the glass tiles on top of drywall?
Thanks,
Chi H., Philadelphia, PA
AsktheBuilder
22 Mar 2008, 14:26
Chi,
You can. Be sure you prime it well using the special primer I mention in my
Wallpapering columns.
mike
29 Mar 2008, 14:13
I'm remodeling an old tile backsplash and updating with new ceramic tile.
Behind the tile appears to be 1/4 in plywood. The plywood extends behinds
the lower and upper cabinets. There is a dried adhesive where the tiles
were, is it necessary to replace the plywood or is it ok to sand the old
glue and adhesive over the top of the sanded glue for the new tile
installation.
AsktheBuilder
30 Mar 2008, 17:16
Mike,
Do not remove the plywood.
MarilynBrooks
01 Apr 2008, 18:46
I am using rectangular ceramic tiles that I think are generally used as a
decorative border as back splash for a bathroom counter. I want to know how
to fit the inside corner in that the pieces have a raised design that do
not allow the corners to butt together. Should I cut 45 degree edges? How
would I do that with a standard wet saw? Is there another solution?
Marilyn
Cynthia McC
02 Apr 2008, 14:47
I have a clean, dry, level drywall backsplash with several electric
outlets. Do I need to re-set them if I install a tile backsplash?
michael Alexander
03 Apr 2008, 21:20
For the first row of tile backsplash, the row against the countertop
(laminate), do I use grout or just place the tile directly against the
countertop and caulk?
michael alexander
03 Apr 2008, 21:24
I will be installing 18" tile as a backsplash, there will be only one row,
how far apart should each tile be?
AsktheBuilder
04 Apr 2008, 14:49
Marilyn,
That is correct. You cut 45-degree angles. You can see an example of that
in a photo in my column titled Ceramic Tile Patterns.
AsktheBuilder
05 Apr 2008, 09:39
Cynthia,
You need to bring the outlet out to the new finished surface. The outlet
has little ears that will sit on the tile if the tile is cut correctly.
Remove the cover plates and you will see them.
AsktheBuilder
07 Apr 2008, 20:04
Michael,
Caulk.
AsktheBuilder
07 Apr 2008, 20:07
Michael,
One-quarter inch.
Maria
09 Apr 2008, 10:52
Hi! I am trying to find a nice backsplash that will go with our cherry
cabinets, ubatuba (sp?) granite countertops, and hardwood floors. Can you
help???
Thanks!
sarah
10 Apr 2008, 07:28
We just bought a house and we noticed there is a crack around a few of the
tiles and one between the side of a cabinet and the tile. The tile looks
like it is in good condition and we would like to keep it. What is the best
way to fix the cracks?
AsktheBuilder
12 Apr 2008, 16:55
Maria,
You bet. A fantastic decorative tile. Visit a store that just sells tile.
AsktheBuilder
13 Apr 2008, 08:28
Sarah,
The best way is to replace them. The second best way is to fill the crack
and try to paint the filler to match the tile. You will discover this is
very hard to do.
Shauna
20 Apr 2008, 16:15
We are considering upgrading our laminate countertops to granite next year.
Should we wait until the countertop upgrade to install our backsplash, or
is it fine to start the backsplash now? How will installing the backsplash
affect the countertop installation, if at all?
cynthia
06 May 2008, 13:08
I am trying to replace some of the ceramic backsplash tile in my kitchen.
Please help?
Cate
06 May 2008, 15:35
My husband has just installed a glass tile backsplash in the kitchen. The
problem is that the 1 in. squares (in sheets) are textured (rough surface)
so the grout is very hard to remove by just wiping the surface. We almost
have to use a brush to get grout out of tile crevices but I'm afraid it
will also ruin the grout line. Any suggestions?
Jay McNeill
23 May 2008, 08:13
I am going to install a new kitchen, should I tile my backsplash before the
kitchen is installed or after?
Thanks
Jay
Shirl
25 May 2008, 21:19
We've just installed a kit kitchen in an older home and there are gaps at
different points along the bench top between the wall and the bench top (at
some points, enough for a tile to slip down). We want to do a tile
splashback - what should we do, thanks.
Rosie Fellhauer
11 Jun 2008, 07:33
I am about to tile my backsplash and I'm not sure what to do about the
electrical outlets. I have been told different ways to get the outlet
flush with the new tile. Is it best to just use a washer and longer screws
to bring out the outlet or should I add an extended box to protect the
wires and outlet?
morgan
14 Jun 2008, 18:28
with 16x16 inch ceramic tile how do you cut out for an outlet that will be
in the middle of the tile not the edges
Sue
16 Jun 2008, 12:46
Hi...
We have black granite counters as well as a black granite full backsplash
throughout our kitchen. I'd like to remove the backsplash and replace it
with decorative tile. What is the best way to remove an existing granite
backsplash. Thank you.
Kimberly
16 Jun 2008, 18:42
do you recommend using a formica backsplash also can backsplash be
installed right up against the window frame?
Connie
26 Jun 2008, 08:32
Can you put new laminate on old laminate that is still very tight on the
countertop? I have a wood trim front to my countertops.
Also what is the different between HD laminate, premium laminate and
regular laminate.
IndySusan
27 Jun 2008, 09:20
We are installing one row of 4x10 ceramic tile above our backsplash. It's a
continuous vine design. Two electrical outlets are spaced 2" above the
backsplash. It seems the installer would need to place the tile completely
around the outlets, but then the pattern won't match. Any suggestions?
Anne
28 Jun 2008, 16:15
We removed the old plastic fake brick tiles from the backsplash in the
kitchen. What we have now is a mess. The wall is bare wood planks
partially covered with brown glue. I do not know what type of glue it is,
but it is tan in some places and dark brown in others. The tiles had been
falling off, so it is not secure. What can we do? My husband wants to put
paneling on it and paint it. He knows how to do sheet rock, but refuses
because it is messy.
AsktheBuilder
29 Jun 2008, 07:26
Anne,
Maybe you can install and finish 1/4-inch drywall. Go ahead and try just
one wall and see what happens.
Joanne Matuszek
01 Jul 2008, 22:25
Is there an adhesive or application I can use to tile over beadboard? My
contractor did a lousy job right over the sink/window area. I would like
to tile over without removing....I know there are no gaurantees, perhaps
there is a thin layer application I could nail/screw over the beadboard?
please help! Joanne
Karen
02 Jul 2008, 17:38
We are getting ready to install subway shaped tile in a herringbone
pattern on the backsplash of the kitchen, on drywall. It is gloss-white,
with an uneven edge to make it look old. I am a 'splasher' when it comes to
cooking, so would like to install it with a grout that won't stain easily
with grease, etc. What would you recommend? Is there a special groute for
this, or would it be advisable to use a dark colored grout? I would prefer
not to as it would look very busy, but don't want splotchy dirty looking
grout either, thankyou, Karen
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