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HOW TO TILE A SPLASHBACK
Don’t just
DO IT YOURSELF
DO IT WITH BEAUMONTS!
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made
easy!
PREPARE & CLEAN A KITCHEN FOR TILING
Any tiling job will only be as good as the surface it’s laid on. It’s important to ensure that, no matter what surface
you’re tiling on, that the surface is sound, level and clean of dust and debris.
Plasterboard is one of the most common indoor wall surfaces, but is not suitable for tiling without waterproofing.
Tiling over plasterboard involves adhering tiles to a paper surface, and although this will present little problem in
dry areas, if the wallboard is subject to moisture, it may deteriorate causing failure. Plasterboard should be waterproofed before tiling.
Information on other types of wall surfaces can be found on our Tiling Wall and Floor Surfaces page.
We recommend “dry laying” your tiles without adhesive prior to tiling. A test run will help you figure out your tile
placement (especially tiles with patterns or details such as marbling) without laying them permanently. It’s also an
excellent way to double check that you have the right amount of tiles and whether any tiles need cutting.
pro tip:
Before you begin tiling a kitchen splashback, ensure that the
back of the benchtop is siliconed to the wall.
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HOW TO CUT KITCHEN TILES
It’s likely that some of your tiles will need to be cut to fit your kitchen splashback, and there may be some that have
to be cut into a different shape as well as size.
Cutting tiles is not difficult with access to decent equipment and with a little practice. If you’re cutting your own tiles
(and especially if you’re doing this for the very first time), it’s a good idea to allow a couple of extra tiles for practice
or in case of any slight mishaps that may happen.
In this fact sheet we show you how to make a straight cut, cut a shape, cut small shapes, and to cut away small
pieces of tile.
When it comes to cutting tiles, there are a few options.
If you are likely to do a few tiling projects around your home, or are likely to lend specialist tools to friends, neighbours, or relatives; a tradesman’s tile cutter is an excellent investment (and will make you popular with anyone else
starting their own tiling projects!)
If this is a once-only tiling project, then the best option will be to hire a tile cutter from your local Beaumont Tiles
store. You might also consider buying a cheaper ‘handyman’ tile cutter. While these can be a good option, they are
not built to last a long time. They will, however, do a great job for one or two jobs around the home.
To make a Straight Cut
Step 1
Using a pencil, mark where the tile needs to be cut.
Make sure that you cut the tile smaller than the space to
allow for even grout joints.
Step 2
Place the tile in the tile cutter and run the scorer across
the tile (once only!). This creates a break point in the tile.
Step 3
Push down the breaker. This will deliver a nice clean and
evenly cut tile.
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To cut a shape
Step 1
Using a pencil, mark where the tile needs to be cut.
Make sure that you cut the tile smaller than the space to
allow for even grout joints.
Step 2
Use the tiles cutter to score each of the lines that will be
cut. This creates a break point in the tile.
Step 3
Cut to the scored lines using an electric grinder. SIdes
first and then the middle.
To cut a small shape FOR A POWERPOINT OR SWITCH
Step 1
Using a pencil, mark where the tile needs to be cut.
Make sure that you cut the tile smaller than the space to
allow for even grout joints.
Step 2
Use the tiles cutter to score each of the lines that will be
cut. This creates a break point in the tile.
Step 3
Break off little pieces (‘nibbles’) of the tile using a pair of
tile nibblers until the mark shape has been achieved.
pro tip:
Always break of small amounts at a time: never try to
break off the whole shape at once.
Always wear safety glasses and a respirator
when cutting tiles with an electric grinder.
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TILE A KITCHEN SPLASHBACK
The secret to tiling a wall perfectly is all in the edges: the
bottom row of tiles, and the ‘column’ of tiles in the corner. We’ll show you how to measure these out (accounting for any variations in the wall or floors), and you’ll see
why it’s important to start tiling at the second row. The
bottom row will fit in once the floor is tiled as well.
Step 1
Cover the benchtop with some off-cut sheeting or heavy
drop sheets.
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.
Step 3
Spread about one square metre of adhesive so that it is
enough for two horizontal rows of tiles and one vertical
row of tiles on the first wall. Remember that we are starting one row up from the bottom.
Step 4
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.
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TILE A KITCHEN SPLASHBACK
Step 5
Place each tile in position by giving it a firm push into the
adhesive and bed it into place with a slight up-and-down
wiggle against the notches of the adhesive.
Step 6
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.
Step 7
As you lay the tiles, 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.
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CLEAN YOUR KITCHEN SPLASHBACK AFTER TILING
Once your tiles have been laid and grouted, they will need to be cleaned thoroughly to remove all residue cement
and grout smears, silicone leaching, and dirt. This cleaning is best done about a week after laying the tiles, as the
grout will require 5-7 days to properly dry and age.
Step 1
Begin by sweeping the floor to remove all loose debris. Then saturate the grout joints with cool, clean water.
Step 3
Dilute phosphoric acid cleaner in warm water and apply the solution to the section of floor to be cleaned.
Note: Once the solution has been applied to the floor, it cannot be allowed to dry until it is thoroughly rinsed. Add
more water as necessary.
Step 4
Once the solution has been left for 5-6 minutes (to break down the excess grout, dirt, and grease), scrub the tiles
with a brush to lift the dirt, and remove with a wet vacuum cleaner.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 if necessary.
Step 5
Finally, before allowing the area to dry, rinse thoroughly several times with cold, clean water, agitating with the
scrubbing brush to ensure complete removal of the acid cleaner before using the wet vacuum cleaner to remove
the excess water from the surface.
Note: If the surface isn’t rinsed thoroughly enough, or is allowed to dry before rinsing; an off-white deposit will remain on the tiles, and will be more difficult to remove.
Step 6
Dilute cleaning detergent for high concentration in your second bucket of warm water and apply to the tiles with a
heavy scrubbing brush. Leave for 5-15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cool, clean water. Remove the excess water with a wet vacuum cleaner.
Once your tiles are clean, maintaining them at their best through regular cleaning is easy. See the next sheet in this
series for tips on routing cleaning.
Note: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using cleaning products on your tiles.
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KEEPING YOUR KITCHEN SPLASHBACK TILES CLEAN
Tiles are one of the most hygienic and easily maintained wall and floor surfaces you can choose. As they are virtually non-porous, tiles tend not to absorb any liquid, smoke, or fumes. In other words, it’s very, very hard to get tiles
dirty! They will only need a quick clean once a week!
A simple routine clean following these three easy steps will keep your tiles in top condition:
Step 1
Vacuum or sweep the area. This will remove most of the dirt and grit from the area. As well as making the next step
much easier, getting rid of these little abrasive particles will protect your tiles from becoming scratched.
Step 2
Dilute Concentrated Stone & Tile Cleaner (refer to the manufacturer’s instructions) and apply to tiles with a mop or
sponge.
Step 3
Agite solution with a brush or scrub pad and mop up the dirty solution before it dries.
check it out:
508005
Concentrated Stone
& Tile Cleaner
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Tiling a Kitchen Splashback: What You’ll Need
Adhesives
90054
ABA Abamastic
Plus 5kg
90569
ABA Powerstik Powder 5kg
Grouts
90574
ABA Easy Grout White 750gm
90575
ABA Easy Grout Black 750gm
90576
ABA Easy Grout Travertine 750gm
90577
ABA Easy Grout Slate Grey 750gm
508304
Aerosol Sameday
Grout Sealer
443mL
508005
Concentrated
Tile & Stone
Cleaner 946mL
90578
ABA Mixing Bucket
Tools
115651
Electric Bench Saw 500mm 600W
115839
Cordless Versa Tool
115687
Coscut Tile Cutter 400mm
90515
Ardex Straight Jaw
Tile Nipper
90516
Ardex Curved Jaw Tile
Nipper
90520
Ardex Spacer Lugs
1.5mm (100)
115706
DTA Professional 3 Vial Level
600mm
90500
Ardex Stainless Steel
Adhesive Trowel
6mm
90506
Ardex Stainless
Steel Gauging
Trowel 200mm
90530
Ardex Rubber
Grout Float
90536
Ardex Micro
Sponge
90538
Ardex Marking
Pencils