DIY Project – Installing Stone Countertops – My DIY Projects – Installing a Backsplash – Tiling – The Struggle Continues
As I got past the outlets, I still had the tile above them. I would come back later. I know I would need to due some rip (horizontal) cuts. I started working under the window. With the faucet, air gap and soap dispenser in the way, it slowed me down. Rip cuts were needed on these three sheets, plus a had a tile that needed to be notched.
I made multiple attempts to notch the one tile on the tile saw, but I kept cutting the notch wrong. So, I stole a piece of tile from a cut sheet of mosaic and started again. I finally got it right, but the cut was not quite complete. I needed a tile nipper, which I did not have. So, I use my wire cutter, and they worked well. Sometimes a just-okay DIYer needs to improvise.
Before I started with the next row of tiles, I found that the thin set was getting dried out. The manufacturer does not recommend more water, but re-mix it. So, I took the bucket back outside and gave it about two minutes of mixing. It appeared to help, but eventually I decided to toss it, and start with a smaller batch this time. What a waste. I do not think I needed more than one bag, but that bag was now garbage. Efiwym, my wife helped me remove all the thin set from the bucket. I put it in a plastic bag and tossed it in the garbage. I proceeded to make a quarter of another bag.
The tiling was taking a lot longer than I thought and I only had completed the bottom of the backsplash. I was getting frustrated with all the oozing thin set in the grout lines. Back buttering was the culprit, but it was recommended by the manufacturer, so I really had no choice for a good installation. I finally started working on the top sheets of the tiles under the cabinets.
And that’s when I discovered that the upper cabinets on the right side were about ¼” out of level. I do know it happened in the past when I sat my fat butt inside the cabinet while I worked on the shower drain above. I heard a crack and felt the cabinet move. I thought I just moved the cabinet away from the wall. But apparently it caused the cabinet to become uneven. The cabinet on the left side of the sink was level, so I finished off that side first.
I wish now that I did not install the corner molding to level the cabinets underneath. If I saved it for later, I could use the molding to compensate for the unevenness. Additionally, I had to cut this tiny row of tiles to get them to fit. This task required making a slightly angled rip cut of one-half inch wide tile on the tile saw. Not the safest maneuver, but I was up for the challenge.
I measured, marked and made the attempt on my first row of tiles. The kerf slot for the tile saw was beveled, and it made it difficult to keep the tiles level for the slightly angled cut. Some pieces cracked, but I got enough of them to fit.
I was done! Not with the project, but physically and mentally done. It was only about 6 hours, but I would finish the rest next week. I did not get the stove wall started, but I think my learning curve would ramp up, and I could knock off the two walls next weekend. Time to clean up my mess and eat supper.
The next day after work I devoted time wiping thin set off the backsplash. In the process, I found crooked tiles and thin set in the grout lines. Ugh! The following day I spent most of the night scraping out the grout lines with a screwdriver. I rented the tile saw for next Sunday, and Part 2 of tiling was planned.
