Posts

Installing a Traditional Tile Backsplash

/in /by

Bring everything you have. There are several different items required to install a traditional ceramic back panel in the kitchen. Before you start your project, make sure you are well prepared. Materials to be prepared before starting include tiles, tile adhesives, and grout.


Make sure you have the necessary tools, including a notched trowel, tape measure, sponge, level, utility knife, and a tile cutter. You may need spacers for tiles that are not attached together in sections. You may want to use something to cover your countertops during this process to keep them clean.


Clean your walls. In order for the tile adhesive to stick the walls, they must be free of any dust or grease. Wipe them down with a damp rag, and give enough time for them to completely dry. Measure your space. It is important to make sure you get a good measurement so you know exactly what size you should cut your tiles.


Choose a stopping point, either directly below your cabinets or at an arbitrary point on the wall. Make sure that you have enough tiles to fill the measured space, as well as a few extras for precaution. Use a level and straight edge to mark your stopping point along the wall.


Apply the tile adhesive. Use your trowel to smooth the tile adhesive across the wall, working in small sections. If you apply too much at once, it will begin to dry before you get a chance to attach the tiles. Always start applying your tiles from the bottom center, and working outwards from there. Don’t apply the tile adhesive to the backs of the tiles, as it will be more difficult to attach them to the wall.

How to Drill Ceramic Tile?

/in /by

Ceramic tile is both hard and brittle, making it easy to damage both tile and drill bit. Adopt a patient approach with the correct tools, and you have a high chance of success. Hopefully, you will not have to read the included instructions for repairing cracked tile.

Diamond bits are more expensive, but can drill through extra-hard tiles. You may need these for modern porcelain tiles (made since the late 1990s), because they’re much harder than ceramic tiles. Masonry bits are made from carbide-tipped steel. These are strong enough to drill through, but their shape increases the risk of shattering porcelain and other brittle tiles.

As a last resort, use high speed steel (HSS) bits. Expect these to wear down after one or two holes. If drilling a large hole for plumbing installation, use a hole saw bit made from one of the above materials. Make sure its central pilot bit is also made from a suitable material.

Wear safety glasses. Ideally, the wood tile should not chip or break. In the event that it does, your eyes should be protected. Cover the area with masking tape. Tape over the area in an X shape, marking the site of the hole. This will help give the drill bit some traction, reducing the chance of it slipping. The tape also makes chipping less likely on the outer rim of the hole.

Tap the drill bit in lightly with a hammer. A drill bit may skip and jump around on the tile’s smooth surface, unless you make a small pilot hole to steady it. Hold the drill bit over the center of the X and tap it in with a hammer. Tap gently to avoid damage, repeating until you’ve made a small dent through the surface of the glaze. If you’re using a solid drill bit larger than 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm), consider drilling a pilot hole with a smaller bit first.

Drill through the tile slowly. Set your drill to a low speed and apply modest pressure to the surface. Allow the drill to work slowly, rather than push hard and crack the tile. This may take three or four minutes. Applying too much pressure can cause the wall tile to blow out and crack on the backside, creating a weak spot in the tile and often a much larger hole than originally intended.