Hello again, TILEARTIST at your service.
Today we will begin the step by step process of installing a tiled kitchen backsplash.
Shown in the illustration is a simple, yet beautiful, glass tile backsplash, using a 3 x6 glass tile set in a running bond pattern.
Generally speaking, the time to install a tile backsplash is after upgrading your counter tops. Since the tile goes down over the counter top, you wouldn't want to install the tile over a counter top that you plan on removing at a later time. Naturally, if you have counter tops that you absolutely love, and plan on never changing, then it is perfectly fine to install the backsplash.
The first step is to determine the amount of tile you will need, and make your selections.
First, measure the length and height of the areas you wish to tile, in inches. Multiply the length by the height (again, in inches), and divide by 144. This will give you the square footage of your area.
You will then need to figure out how much bull nose, or trim tile you will need. Any area that will have an exposed tile edge, will either need bull nose tile, trim tile, or a polished stone tile edge.
Once you have your square footage, and the amount of bullnose, or trim you'll need, figure 10% extra for waste on a straight pattern, or 15% extra for waste on a diagonal, or specialized pattern, and order your tile accordingly.
The next step is to remove all outlet, switch plate, and phone jack covers. Next, locate the electrical breakers for the switches, and outlets, and turn them off. Usually there will be several circuits involved. You should purchase a small electrical voltage detector to confirm that a circuit is actually off. Sometimes there can be more than one power source from within one electrical box, so be certain all power is off. Here is a link to one such device. http://www.professionalequipment.com/extech-non-contact-ac-voltage-detector-40130/voltage-testers/
A little trick you can use for the outlets is to plug a shop vac, radio, or some other loud device into the outlet. You'll need to be able to hear the device from the breaker box. Turn the device on. Proceed to turn breaker switches off and on, one by one, until you find the circuit you are looking for. Place a small piece of tape over the switch so you'll know not to turn it back on. Also inform other occupants of your household to leave it off.
When you are certain that all electrical devices are turned off at the breaker box, you can begin to unscrew them from their boxes. Once you have removed all the screws, and set them aside, gently pull each device out of it's box an inch or two. Even though you have killed all power to these devices, treat them as though they were electrically live. Now, would be a good time to double check them with your tester. Screws can be saved, but chances are you will need longer ones to reinstall your electrical devices.
Chances are, that some of the circuits you have killed, control some of the lighting. Either hook up an auxiliary light source (you'll need to see what you are doing), or carefully tape the switch contacts with electrical tape, and turn the lighting circuits back on. I don't mean place a small piece of tape over the contacts. You will want to wrap the tape around the switch contacts a couple of times, ensuring that ANY exposed wire, or contacts are covered. If you elect to do this, recheck all of the electrical devices again to be absolutely certain there are no exposed contacts, or bare wires. Sometimes, there can be outlets connected to the same circuit as the lighting. Double, triple, quadruple check everything to ensure that you do not come into contact with any live electrical wiring, or devices. Wet sponges and hands are great conductors of electricity, and you will have both during the course of your tile installation.
Use EXTREME caution when working around electrical circuitry. If you have ANY doubts whatsoever about your ability to perform this step, please contact a licensed electrician. I CANNOT stress this enough.
Thanks for listening.
In the next installment we will begin to prepare the wall to receive your tile.
