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Deciding on a Pattern Before Tile a Wall

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If you’re working on a very large wall, you may need to replace the water after a few passes of the sponge to ensure that the water is clean and the sponge is picking up the dust.

Roll waterproofing sealer over the walls if you’re tiling in a bathroom. Pick out a few rolls of waterproofing sealer to cover the areas where you’ll be hanging wall tiles. Roll it out over the walls, and use waterproof adhesive to attach it to the walls. Make sure all of the area where you’re hanging the  tile is covered, and wait 2-3 hours for the adhesive to dry. The sealer prevents the water from seeping into the grout and the wall boards, which can cause rotting.

Pick a checkerboard pattern if you want a classic look. This pattern involves rows of  black and white tiles lined up like a checkerboard. Every-other floor tile is the same color, but the rows and columns are aligned in straight lines. You can pick any two colors to achieve this pattern, so don’t be afraid to get creative. This is one of the easiest patterns to create, but it can look busy if the room is already full of designs and colors.

Use a running board pattern for a less traditional look. Create an imaginary vertical line in the center of the pattern and organize the other floor tiles on this line. Place tiles of the same color along the line in each row so that the vertical line is going between two tiles, or it goes through the center of one tile. Overall, the appearance is that each tile is offset slightly but creates a staggered line. This is the pattern used for laying bricks and the popular “subway tile” pattern.

Use a stacked pattern to protect the walls from moisture. This is an extremely simple design that makes hanging the  tile and applying grout extremely simple. Just align rectangular tiles so that they form straight lines vertically and horizontally in the space. This pattern can have a stunning effect when done in large scales because it looks so natural and clean. If you’re using small tiles with one color, this is a great choice for making a bold statement.

Do a dry-lay of your pattern to see which tiles will need trimmed. Lay out the tiles on the ground in your desired pattern with grout spacers in between them, and then measure the width of the wall. Compare the width to the width of the marble mosaics tiles,and then mark which ones will need to be trimmed with a wax crayon. Consider shifting your pattern slightly if you need to trim any of the pieces to be smaller than 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide. It will likely be too difficult to cut these accurately with a wet saw or nippers.

What should we do when we cut tiles backsplash?

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Installing a marble tile backsplash yourself is a great way to save money while getting the exact look you want. There is more to installing backsplashes than just arranging floor tiles, however; you have to measure and cut the tiles design so that they fit properly. If the backsplash tile is already installed, you may still be able to cut holes into it for new fixtures, as long as you use the proper tools.

Turn off the power to your kitchen. Find the electrical panel in your home. It is typically a small, metal panel painted to match your wall. Open the panel, then find the switch for the bathroom tiles or kitchen electrical outlets (wherever you are doing the backsplash kitchen tiles). Flick the switch to the off position. Remember to flick the switches back on after you have finished installing the cement tiles. If your wood tiles are already on the wall and you wish to cut a hole in them, complete this step, then click here to learn how.

Remove any light switch and outlet covers. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws from each cover. Place the covers into separate zippered bags along with their matching screws. Work 1 cover at a time so that you don’t mix or lose the pieces. You will need to reinstall the light switch and outlet covers after you have finished installing the wall tiles.

Clear and cover the counters. Move anything on the counter that might get in the way, such as coffee makers and toasters. Cover the counter with a plastic sheet to protect it. If you are installing the tiles later, it would be a good idea to mask off counters and cabinets. This will save you a step. To mask off the counters and cabinets: lay strips of painter’s tape along any counter or cabinet edges that touch the backsplash wall.

Mark the center of the wall, then draw a plumb line through it. Find the center of the backsplash wall, and make a like mark with a pencil. Place a 2-ft (61-cm) level against the mark and orient it vertically. Use the edge of the level as a ruler to draw a vertical line spanning the height of your backsplash tiles. The plumb line will help you lay out your tiles evenly once you go to mount them on the wall. Make sure that the level is straight. The bubble inside the glass tube should be centered between the lines.