Splashback tiling

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DIY made easy!

Tile a kitchen splashback Tiling a kitchen splashback is really easy and a great project if it’s your first go at DIY tiling. Tiles around 200x300mm or 300x600 are easier to lay, while mosaics are a little more challenging.

Step 1 Cover the benchtop with some off-cut sheeting or heavy drop sheets. If there are exposed wires you must turn off all power at the switchboard.

Step 2 Decide where you want to start tiling. Think about the pattern you want to lay your tiles in and where you might end up cutting tiles to fit. See our video on Cutting Tiles.

Usually if there is an exposed edge, start one tile in from there.

Step 3 Spread about one square metre of adhesive.

With pre-mixed wall adhesive, we use a 6mm notched trowel (check the instructions on the pack) to apply the adhesive to the wall. Once the tile is bedded into place, these tracks flatten out to give full coverage to the surface. A 6mm notch will leave a bed of adhesive 3mm thick once the tile is in place.

When applying wall adhesive, we always suggest that the notches run horizontally.

Step 4 For mosaics, you can use a grout float to push the tiles down to give them a nice flat finish. Don’t forget to clen off excess glue as you go.

Check out our huge range of DIY videos on our website

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It is important to lift a tile every now and then after laying it into the adhesive. This is to check that you are achieving complete coverage of the adhesive to the tile. (Don’t attempt this with mosaics, however.)

For all tiles (excluding mosaics), use spacers to set the grout joints and to make small adjustments to the tile placement.

When you select your tiles, your Beaumont Tiles consultant will help you select grout joint sizes, but we usually recommend no less than 3mm for wall tiles.

Step 5 Mix up some grout, and massage it into the grout lines. After a short while you will see a film over the tiles. Wipe this off with a squeezed out sponge in a circular motion.

Step 6 After a primary wash, wipe with a squeezed out sponge on a 45 degree angle to the tiles. Turn it around and repeat.

Step 7 Finally, apply some silicone to the internal corners. Use a smoothing agent to spray over it, and then cut it back with a paddle pop stick in one swipe. With a little more smoothing agent, run your finger over it to achieve a nice smooth finish.