Even if you have never done tiling before it is possible for you to learn by completing a simple splash back on a sink area or above your cooker. There are many different types of tile now available so no matter what the style of your room you will be able to find a type of tile suited to the colour scheme or theme.
Fitting a Splash Back
Its a fairly simple process once you have everything planned out and all the equipment you require, so below is a step by step guide to how you can create your own splash back;
- Equipment needed for building a splash back - First of all you should collect all of the equipment you will need including the following; spirit level, tape measure, tile saw, sponge, tile cutting jig, squeegee, chinagraph pencil, masonry nails, hammer, waterproof grout, tile spacers and a dry cloth. When you have all this equipment you are ready to start the planning on the surface you are tiling because it is the planning that ensures the tiling turns out correctly.
- Preparing for tiling a splash back area - To start you need to make sure all wallpaper is removed from the surface when the surface is prepared you need to make your tile gauge, you make this from the batons. Basically all you have to do is take a baton and cut to the length of the base of the area you would like to tile. Then place the baton on a flat surface and line the tiles and spacers along the edge of the baton to plan where they will lie. As you place each tile and spacer you should make a mark on the baton as to where the joins lie.
When you have this marked out you can hold it along the base of the area your tiling and use it to show you where the tiles need to be placed. Also make sure whilst you're doing this you use the spirit level to ensure it is level. When you're sure its level you can temporarily nail the baton to the wall and nail a second one up the sides of the area you are tiling, so at a right angle with your guide baton.- Fitting splash back tiles - Then you can begin to apply the adhesive to the surface being tiled be sure not to apply too much as this will make it difficult when fixing the tiles into place. When you have all the adhesive on the area for the tiles you can place the tiles on the wall starting along the bottom of the area. You should use a sliding action to ensure you get them in the correct position before setting.
- When all the tiles are applied and sitting correctly you will then need to leave them for around 24 hours to ensure they are completely dried. When dry you can then clean off any excess adhesive from the tile faces and neaten up the joins.
So as long as you have the right equipment and know exactly what you are doing then you would be able to add a splash back to your sink or cooker area. This is always a good way for those that lack in confidence to practice their tiling skills on a small project.