How to tile a laundry splashback

Adam_W

Difficulty: Intermediate

A tiled splashback helps protect your laundry wall from water when using the sink.

Tiling a splashback is a reasonably simple job requiring only basic tools and materials. If you have never tiled before, a splashback is a fantastic way to get some experience and build your confidence for larger projects.

Our guide shows the process for tiling a splashback in a European-style laundry, but the same techniques can be used for tiling your kitchen, bathroom or full-sized laundry.

Video Tutorial

Steps

Step 1

Prepare the area.

Use your tape measure to find the centre of the area to be tiled. Use you level to run a vertical pencil line at centre to your finished tile height (in our case 600mm). Put a horizontal line at just below your finished height.

Use masking film to protect all adjoining walls and benchtops.

1.1 Find the centre of the wall.jpeg 1.2 Apply masking film.jpeg

Step 2

Apply adhesive to wall.

Put on gloves and use a notched trowel to spread an even bed of tile adhesive on the wall to a little over one tile row height. For longer areas, only do a metre or so at a time to ensure the cement doesn’t start setting before you tile.

2.1 Apply tile adhesive.jpeg

Step 3

Lay out tiles.

Using your marked vertical centre line as a guide, position and centre your first tile with spacers laying flat underneath at each end. Press the tiles firmly and evenly into the tile cement.

Ensure the spacers are positioned standing up in the gaps - they do not lay flat in the gap.

3.1 Position tiles.jpeg 3.2 Add tile spacers.jpeg

Step 4

Install tiles.

Work outwards and add the next tiles, ensuring the spacers are positioned underneath and between all tiles. Use your level across three tiles to press the tiles evenly and firmly, making sure they are all level and flush with one another.

Repeat the previous steps until you reach your finished height, leaving ends that require cut tiles open. Use a damp cloth to clean off any tile cement which may have squeezed out of the joins.

4.1 Ensure tiles are level.jpeg

Step 5

Cut tiles.

Measure for your tile cuts, checking both the top and bottom as walls aren’t always straight. Use a tile cutter or an angle grinder to cut tiles and position in place.

Leave overnight to set and then remove spacers.

5.1 Cut tiles to size.jpeg

Step 6

Wearing gloves, breathing and eye protection, add the dry grout to a container. Add a little water at a time, mixing thoroughly, until you have a lump-free, stiff but workable mix.

Use a squeegee to apply the grout to all joints. Press firmly into the joints and work length-ways in both directions and also diagonally to ensure complete coverage.

When finished, use a slightly dampened tiling sponge to wipe off any excess. Allow to dry and then polish. First use a damp cloth, rinsing it frequently in a bucket of clean water, and then a dry one.

6.1 Mix the grout.jpeg 6.2 Apply the grout.jpeg

Step 7

Caulk joints.

Remove the masking film from all surfaces and apply a band of painters tape either side of all edges to be caulked. Doing one join at a time, run a consistent bead of silicone along the gap between the tiles and benchtop, and the tiles and walls.

Set your spray bottle to a fine mist. Lightly spray the silicone with methylated spirits and then immediately run along the edge in one pass with the caulking tool.

Remove the tape and allow to cure.

Your splashback is now complete.

7.1 Apply silicone sealant.jpeg 7.2 Smooth silicone sealant.jpeg