SUPPLIES
- Plumbers putty
- Tile saw
- Drill
- Drywall saw
- Circular saw
- Tape measure
- Square
- Carpenters knife
- Blueboard
- Screws
- Ceramic tile
- Thinset
- Plywood
- Level
- Spacers
- Grout
- Wet sponge
Overview
Installing ceramic tile on your kitchen countertop is not hard to do. Doing so will help upgrade your kitchen and improve the look of your home and its value. You can go to any local hardware store or home improvement store to choose what kind of tile you want to install on your countertop. Once you have everything you need and you get it all done, you will be proud you did it by yourself and didn't pay someone else to do it.
Step 1
Remove the sink and clean off your countertop. Use your level to make sure your countertop is level before starting. Once you know the countertop is the way you want it, use the circular saw to cut the plywood to fit the countertop and attach the plywood with screws.
Step 2
Measure the blueboard to cover the countertop and use your square to draw a straight line. Use the circular saw to cut along the straight line and trace the sink base to where you want it on the countertop. Cut out area where you want the sink to set and attach blueboard with drywall screws. Prepare the area for tile and cut where needed.
Step 3
Lay down the tile you chose with the spacers to see how they will fit and to see where the tile needs to be cut. Remove the tile once you see how it will fit and where it needs to be cut.
Step 4
Start at the center line and spread spackling. Cut the tile with the tile saw. Put down the first tile and do the same thing with the rest. Place the spacers in between the tile to form a grout line. Wait for tile to dry.
Step 5
Remove the spacers once the tile is dried. Spread the grout at a 45-degree angle to fill grout lines. Take a wet sponge and wipe off excess grout. Use plumbers putty and put around the lip of the sink. Put the sink back in, press down firmly and wipe out excess putty. Let it set for 24 hours to set up properly. Attach drain and put the faucets back in. Repeat Steps 1 to 5 for the backsplash.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : If you have any outlets on your backsplash, use a drywall saw to cut them out.
- WARNING : After grouting countertop take the wet sponge as soon as possible and start wiping it down, otherwise the grout will leave your tile cloudy.
