How to Cut Backsplash Tile- In this tutorial, we will show you how to cut backsplash tile for your kitchen.
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Tools and Materials
You will need a tile cutter, a pencil, a level, a tape measure, a wet saw, and safety glasses. For this project, you will also need a backsplash tile of your choice, backsplash adhesive, and grout.
Tools
To cut backsplash tile, you will need:
-A pencil
-A measuring tape
-A level
-A wet tile saw or a handheld tile cutter
-A sponge
-A bucket
-Moderate to high-grade masking tape
-Safety goggles
Materials
-1/2-inch plywood
-Circular saw
-Jigsaw
-Tile cutter or wet saw
-notched trowel
-level
-cordless drill
-drill bit the size of your chosen tile spacers
-tiles
-tile spacers
-tile adhesive or mortar
-grout
-grout float
Preparing the Surface
The first step in cutting backsplash tile is to prepare the surface. You will need to clean the area where the tile will be installed and make sure it is free of debris. Once the surface is clean, you will need to measure the area to be covered and mark the tile accordingly.
Clean the wall
The wall behind the backsplash will need to be clean and free of any grease or oil before installing the tile. The best way to do this is to use trisodium phosphate (TSP). TSP is a heavy duty cleaner that can be found at any hardware store. Mix the TSP with water according to the package directions and wash the entire area with a sponge. Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water and let it dry completely.
Apply painter’s tape
Once you have the right tools, prep the work area by taping off anything you don’t want tile adhesive or grout on, like backsplashes, countertops, and outlets. You’ll also want to tape down your template, if you’re using one. Widen the painter’s tape to create a border around the area you’re working on—this will help contain any mess.
Cutting the Tile
Before you begin, you need to have the right tools. You will need a wet saw, a tile nipper, and a hammer. You will also need a chisel, a pencil, and a level. Make sure you have all of these tools before you begin.
Score the tile
Use a glass cutter to score the back of the tile. A carbide-tipped glass cutter is the best type to use because it will stay sharp longer. If you don’t have a glass cutter, you can use a sharp utility knife, but you will need to apply more pressure and make more than one pass to score the tile.
Mark the cutting line on the back of the tile with a pencil. Place the tile on a solid surface, such as a workbench or countertop, with the marked side facing up. Position the glass cutter at one end of the line and press down firmly to score the tile. Drag the glass cutter along the line until you reach the other end.
Repeat this process until you have scored the entire line. You may need to go over some areas multiple times to score it deeply enough.
Snap the tile
Score the tile along the line you want to cut with a glass cutter, using a straight edge to guide the cutter. Pressing down on the cutter, run it along the tile until you’ve made a continuous score mark. To make sure your score mark is deep enough, cut along the same line two or three times.
Once you’ve made your score mark, place the tile on a solid surface. You can use a cutting board or if ’re cutting mosaic tiles, place them on a piece of cardboard so they don’t move around. Place one hand on each side of the tile, then press down in the center so the tile snaps in half on the score mark. If necessary, use nippers to trim any sharp edges off the tile before moving on to installation.
Applying the Tile
Mark the area where you want to install the backsplash. Draw guidelines on the wall to ensure your tile is level. If you’re using multiple rows of tile, make sure they’re evenly spaced. Install any necessary trim pieces before you begin tiling. When you’re ready to apply the tile, spread mortar onto the wall with a notched trowel. Starting at the bottom center, apply pressure to the back of the tile and smooth it into the mortar.
Apply adhesive
Now that the wall is prepared, it’s time to apply the adhesive. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on the product label before beginning. You will need a notched trowel to apply the right amount of adhesive to the wall. Begin in the center of the wall and work your way out. Use even pressure as you hold the trowel at a consistent 45-degree angle to spread the adhesive in an upward motion. Once you have finished applying adhesive to the entire section, allow it to set for about 15 minutes according to manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding to the next step.
Set the tile
Applying the tile is a two-part process. The first part is covering the wall with adhesive, and the second part is setting the tile. You will need a few tools to complete this project, including a notched trowel, a tile cutter, and some grout. Follow these steps to apply your backsplash tile.
1. Begin by spreading adhesive on the wall with a notched trowel. You will want to make sure that you have enough adhesive to cover the entire area where you will be setting the tile.
2. Once you have spread the adhesive, you can begin setting the tile. Start in one corner and work your way out. Make sure that each tile is level as you go.
3. Once all of the tiles are in place, you can grout them. First, mix up some grout according to the manufacturer’s directions. Then, using a rubber float, apply the grout in between each of the tiles. Wipe away any excess grout with a damp sponge.
4. Allow the grout to dry for at least 24 hours before using the backsplash area.
Finishing Up
The final steps are to trim the edges of the tile so that they are flush with the wall, and to grout the tile. You will need a wet saw to trim the tile, and a grout float and grout to grout the tile. Be sure to follow the instructions on the grout package.
Apply grout
Now that the tile is set, it’s time to apply grout. Mix a small amount of grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions and spread it into the joints with a rubber grout float, holding the float at a 45-degree angle Work the grout into all of the joints, making sure to wipe off any excess that squeezes out.
After about 15 minutes, use a sponge dipped in clean water to remove any haze left on the tile. Allow the grout to dry for at least 24 hours before continuing.
Remove painter’s tape
Carefully remove the painter’s tape from around the edges of the backsplash. If any paint or mortar has bled through the tape, use a razorblade to clean up the edge.
