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Any tricks we should know before tiling the kitchen sink area? *UPDATE June 16 FINISHED*

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No Lifer
The area by the sink is just a flat paint. It shows up stains very well, and I also hate getting water all over the place, so we were going to go to home depot and buy some grout and spacers, and some cheapo tiles and get to work. Neither of us know what we're doing. Any tricks or downfalls I should be aware of? Also, we're not really sure how much to tile. What's the general rule?

*UPDATE* I'm half finished tiling. No grouting yet. What's normally done with power switches? I can grout over it, but then the face plate will never be able to come off. Should I remove the face plate, then grout, then just put the plate on over that grout after it's dried? This would allow access to open the face plate in the future (without destroying it), but wouldn't look as consistent. What's normally done?

*UPDATE May 4* So I just got to the sink and the bit of wall above the sink is sitting in further than the rest of the wall on either side. It's about 1/6" or so. If I have those tiles sit in further than the others it's gonna look a bit amateurish. Is this normal or should I try and pad the surface with something first, and if so what...? I suppose I could use more mortar...? tiling.JPG

*UPDATE* MAY7 tilegap.JPG <- should I crack those two tiles out and redo them with closer cuts (ie, bringing up the right side, so that it's more flush with the electrical socket)? If I leave it as is I'll shave a bit with the dremel to bring the edges in line, but is it worth redoing this one? I have another that looks the same. Mrsskoorb says it's a waste of time, but I'm starting to go literally insane thinking about the tiles and I'm becoming obsessive. What should I do? I've already busted out two sockets I did badly and redone them nicely, but it's been like 2-3 weeks now and it's time to start grouting 😀

*UPDATE* May 11
Well, fvck. I wish I'd seen all that talk about the plates earlier 🙂 I did end up recutting them much closer, but the faceplates are still flsuh against the wall with the tiles coming up to them (making it all flat if you moved your hand along). I've grouted everything, so the chances of me redoing it the proper way are anywhere from 0 to 0%. Next time I'll know I guess 😉 It still doesn't look bad and I'll post pics when everything is done.

Anyway tileside.JPG, I'm thinking that I should be tiling that far side as well, right? Only thing is that it's raised about 1/4" over the rest, so where those two angles meet up the left far side would look staggered. Should I do that side, or not bother? Update: I did that side. Now all the tiling is done. I'll grout tonight and be finished this weekend, god willing.

Thanks for the help again 😀

EDIT: Thanks to drnickriviera for the recommendation on larger plates. The jumbo ones will cover up my mistakes and we may buy some nicer ones like metal or something, so it's all good 🙂

*UPDATE JUNE 16*

Finally, some pics. I've still got to put sealant on one side:
tile1
tile2
tile3
 
Get a book on it, or ask someone at the Home Depot. I'm sure HD will have some professional tile person who can walk you through it.
 
My wife started a project to tile the wall behind our kitchen counter 2 years ago. She finally finished it up over spring break. 😱
 
Just put carpet down and put another computer, a microwave and some paper plates in their. Kitchens are overrated anyway.
 
What are you planning on tiling? Countertop, walls, floors?

I've laid around 10,000 sq ft of tile, and the first thing I learned was to take those stupid spacers and toss them in the garbage. The tiles are not the same size. The last batch of tile I laid, some were 33.1mm up to 33.5mm. (Metric is so much easier) All the spacers do is throw you off. Only time I use them is on large walls tiles where they want to slide down. I snap a chalk line grid and go by that

You are going to need a wet saw if you have to make any cuts that are going to be seen. The dry break boards can't make the smooth cut like a wet saw.

PM me if you want more help
 
Originally posted by: drnickriviera
What are you planning on tiling? Countertop, walls, floors?



I've laid around 10,000 sq ft of tile, and the first thing I learned was to take those stupid spacers and toss them in the garbage. The tiles are not the same size. The last batch of tile I laid, some were 33.1mm up to 33.5mm. (Metric is so much easier) All the spacers do is throw you off. Only time I use them is on large walls tiles where they want to slide down. I snap a chalk line grid and go by that



You are going to need a wet saw if you have to make any cuts that are going to be seen. The dry break boards can't make the smooth cut like a wet saw.



PM me if you want more help
Click to expand...
We're doing only the wall above the sink.

In regards to wet saw we have absolutely no powertools, and I don't think we can really rationalize buying one at this time...🙁
 
Make sure the splash area behind the faucet and knobs is in good shape (the drywall). Tile will seal in existing moisture and cause rot.

Home depot will help. I'm sure they have pamphlets on this very subject. And may have them on-line as well.


Good luck and have fun.
 
I'm not the expert, but I think you will want to put some type of clear sealant on the grout after it has cured for a few days.

In high school I worked a job cleaning a kitchen, and the grout was the worst part. It absorbs all sorts of stuff (grease, etc.) and turns black. Very difficult, if not impossible, to clean back to its original color.
 
Assuming you're talking about the backspash area.... I don't think it's all that difficult. You just have to plan things out to make sure they will fit wher eyou need them and things like that. If you have a window or cabinets and things to go around, be sure you have a wet saw or some other wya of cutting the tiles.

We were going to do this at our house but put it off for so long we returned all the stuff. We already redid our cabinets and put on a new couter top. And the project for the next couple weeks is putting in recessed lighting.
 
You can rent tiles saws. Some home depots have a rental section.

Depending on the size of the tile. You'll probably use mastic as the adhesive and a V notch trowel to apply it. It will say on the bucket of mastic on which size trowel to get.

For small grout gaps (less that 1/8") you'll use non sanded ground. Buy a rubber float to apply the grout and some sponges for cleanup. Use as little water as possible during cleanup. Extra water will cause the color to fade. Allow the grout to dry for around 30min-1hr. Then clean with a moist sponge. Allow it to dry again, clean again. Allow it to dry overnight and then buff the tile with a towel to bring the shine back.

Hope this helps
 
yeah you two can do it.
Even I can lay tile!:shocked:
Just dont pick some flowery tile that makes me puke next time Im over for dinner...😀
 
Get a Dremel with a tile cutting attachment. Saves alot of time when cutting those odd pieces out (ie electrical sockets). Use it a moderate speed though. High speed will break the tile apart.
 
Consider using a dark color grout to hide discoloration.

Definitely use a grout sealer within 30days or so for the same reason.

 
I tiled my kitchen walls all around between the countertop and the cabinets. If you use 4" wall tile you don't need spacers as the tile comes with bumps that make a uniform space. In my area a wet saw was $40 a day to rent or OD and Lowe's will cut them for $1 each (actually I have gotten them to do it for free, but YMMV on that.) For a small project that might be a more reasonable alternative. You can see some of what we did here. Not the 10,000 sg ft drnickriviera has done, but it is a project similar to yours. Be glad to offer any help I can.
 
Immense amount of info can be had here.

I just did my whole bathroom over and installed tile on the floors and walls. First time I ever laid tile and the above site is where I got all my info from. Everybody that has seen the bathroom asks me who I got to lay the tile. I just smile. 🙂

I can post some pics if you like. I'm no expert, but I did gain a wealth of knowledge about it. Just ask.

Cheapo wet saws at Home Depot or Lowes are a must. They will save you a ton of time.
 
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