Common Tile Challenges in DIY Backsplash Installation
This past week, we took a look at some examples of kitchen tile backsplash installations where the tile changed the depth of the position of the electrical switches and or plugs installed on the wall behind a countertop. Today, we’re going to talk about some other areas of potential detail or complication in installation of kitchen backsplashes. We encourage our clients to do as much as they feel comfortable to do, but that also means really learning about these details first before diving into them and finding they’ve entered an area where they are not comfortable.
The picture below shows an example where plumbing fixture, known or sometimes referred to as a spaghetti arm is mounted directly to the countertop, it’s basically just a plumbing faucet, but only provides hot water and has bendable joints to allow for articulation so that it can be placed or used to fill pots that are directly over top of the cooktop. In some cases though these arms are wall mounted to allow for more unimpeded countertop space. In the same picture below, you can see it typical wall mounted receptacle box, as required by the building code, within close proximity to the edge of the cooktop.
We think that electrical work is just one example of a potential area of work that might be too difficult for the average homeowner, even if they are a bit DIY savvy. Some other potential challenging area which a DIY homeowners might encounter when installing kitchen backsplash tile follow:
- Cutting Tile: Cutting tile accurately and cleanly can be challenging, especially for intricate mosaics or when working with delicate materials like porcelain or glass tiles. We will normally use high power and expensive wet saws. Some of the cutting can be done manually, but generally manual tools for cutting tile will not be as accurate and can often have a much higher proportion of miscuts or mistakes or accidentally damaged or broken tiles.
- Leveling Tile: each individual time not only has to be space properly from one to the next, but also must be set level from one to the next so that they are set within a equal plane. Without setting each of these tiles in the same plane, there will be lippage , a term for one one edge of a towel stands up against the next edge. If installed with lower Precision or lower quality , it can look very bad, even to an amateur eye. Controlling this variation or avoiding this difference which leads to lippage can be difficult for someone who is not well experienced. This can be particularly difficult with certain types of tiles such as mosaics and can be particularly challenging when there are inconsistencies in the substrate wall or if the grout lines are excessively tight.
- Grouting: Grouting can be messy and time-consuming, and it requires a steady hand and attention to detail. Improper grouting can lead to uneven surfaces and potential water damage. It’s also important to mix batches of tile consistently so that there is consistent amounts of water between batches otherwise the texture and surface of the grout can look different and if grout is mixed in batches that are too large, and or if the grout is rehydrated after its first hydrated, it can lead to flash set. This is a condition where the cementitious reaction that takes place to make grout Harden already partially takes place before additional water is added. Once new amounts of water have been added and once the grout is then remixed to consolidate, if installed under these conditions, that grout can be significantly compromised and have a much shorter service life. Professional installers understand this and know how to work with appropriate badge sizes, but DIY homeowners might have to learn the hard way before they understand all the nuances.
- Sealing Grout: Sealing the grout is a needed step, if using grout without an integral sealer, to protect it from water damage and staining. This process can be tedious and require a type of precision that comes only with experience. Also, it’s important to use the right sealant and apply it correctly. There are several different types of grout sealers. One of the main distinctions is that some grout sealers are used to bond to the surface of the ground and other sealers are intended to seep within the porous matrix of the grout.
- Plumbing Work: If the backsplash installation involves any plumbing work, such as relocating wall mounted fixtures or installing a backsplash around a plumbing device, it may be better to use a professional to disconnect and or reinstall those fixtures. The spaghetti arm that we show in the picture below is a perfect example.
The kitchen above has a backsplash tile similar to a subway tile pattern that we looked at a few weeks ago, but you may notice that the one above has a slightly different type of tile texture and a slightly different layout. Brick installation, the layout above would be referred to as a Flemish bond. This tile layout replicates that pattern, and debatably adds a higher degree of visual interest. For the sake of comparison, the more typical basic Subways below. And although both of these layouts look okay, the typical subway tile pattern shown below is more common and people often like to have design details that are unique and different.
Dupont Kitchen & Bath Can Help
As dedicated and local DC metropolitan kitchen and bath builders and installers, we pride ourselves on turning your visions into reality. Your kitchen can reflect your unique style and be designed with personalized aesthetics. It can be a process from creative designs to the realization of your dream space. Specializing in kitchen and bath construction, we bring expertise and skills to every project. If you’re contemplating a renovation, upgrade, or modernization in the local market, we’re happy to be your team. Consult with us, and we can start together on a path to redefine and elevate your DC living experience.
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