Backsplashes

1. Determine if the type of substrate is acceptable to receive a tile installation. It must be structurally sound, solid and stable.
2. When applicable, replace it with an appropriate substrate material such as cement board or drywall.
3. Clean the substrate (or existing backsplash). All substrates should be clean, dry and free of dust, dirt, oil, grease, paint, wax, soap, loosely bonded toppings, any primers that are not MAPEI brand, old adhesive residues (unless otherwise recommended by MAPEI), and any other substance that may prevent, reduce or affect adhesion or performance.

• For clean drywall and drywall patching compounds (wall mud), apply MAPEI Primer T™ primer.
• For cement board substrates, tape and fill joints per the cement board manufacturer’s written instructions.
• If you planning to tile over an existing finish such as existing ceramic tile, existing porcelain tile, or existing laminate, contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for guidance in preparing the surface if needed.

1. Measure and mark the center points of the left and right boundaries for the backsplash. Use a chalk line tool, china marker or pencil to create a line that connects the two points.
2. Measure and mark the center points of the top and bottom boundaries. Create a line connecting these points. The intersection of the two lines marks the center point of the backsplash.
3. Using a carpenter’s level, verify that horizontal lines are level and adjust as needed.
4. Take time to carefully plan your layout. It is best to have cut tile underneath cabinets if possible.
5. It may be helpful to plan the tile placement by creating a “story pole.” To make a story pole, first lay out the tile with spacers in between each tile on a flat surface, which will represent your tiled wall (left to right = bottom to top). Then mark all tile and grout joint measurements on a long wooden dowel rod. Transfer the markings onto your wall surface and review the placement.
6. If you are using border tiles or decorative accent tiles, measure and mark lines to indicate these areas.
7. Dry-fit a row of tiles (or mosaic tile sheets) by placing the tiles (or sheets) in position with spacers along reference lines to check for accuracy and determine tile cuts. Adjust reference lines as needed.
8. Dry-fit all field tiles as well as border and decorative accent tiles.
9. Pre-cut all tiles. Note: If you are using small mosaic tile (1” or less), and you prefer not to cut the tile, it is acceptable to hand-space some of the tiles to avoid cuts.

• Using scissors, trim the mosaic tile sheets to fit the installation.
• When the trimmed sheet does not match up perfectly with the boundary, outer edge or border line, remove 3 to 5 rows of tile from the sheet.
• Dry-fit the individual mosaic tiles by hand-spacing. Carefully adjust the tiles to create a joint space that is slightly wider than the pre-set spacing in the sheet until the tile fills the space evenly and lines up with the boundary, outer edge or border line.

1. Measure water amounts carefully. Mix the mortar according to the instructions on the package. Refer to current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for detailed instructions.
2. Select a notched trowel size that is appropriate for the size of the tile. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for guidance if needed.
3. Using a notched trowel, spread mortar while holding the trowel at a 45-degree angle to the wall.
4. First, using the straight (flat) side of the trowel, apply a thin, even coat to the surface. Follow immediately with more mortar and “comb” the mortar in one direction, using the notched side of the trowel to achieve an even-setting bed. If tiles larger than 15″ (38 cm) are used on any side, back-butter tiles before setting them to provide uniform mortar coverage and maximum support. Note: Do not back-butter ceramic tile with curved surfaces such as chair rails and rounded, decorative listellos. Back-buttering these shapes can cause cracking.
5. Only spread as much mortar as can be covered with tiles before the mortar skins over or loses transfer when touched.

Note: If using mesh-backed mosaic tile sheets, skip Step 5 and go to Step 6.

1. Set your bottom row of tile, leaving a gap between the countertop. Use spacers to maintain a consistent gap. Allow the area to dry until the mortar achieves its initial cure and the tile becomes solidly bonded.
2. Building upward, row by row, continue to place the field tiles and decorative accent tiles in position on the substrate. Firmly apply pressure to the face of the tile while moving the tile back and forth perpendicular to the trowel ridges; this helps to ensure that the mortar transfers to the back of the tile and that the tile is in an even plane with adjacent tiles.
3. Check several of the set tiles for adequate mortar coverage by lifting them up. All of the ridges should be collapsed without voids or trowel lines. Mortar should also cover the entire back of the tile without voids or trowel lines.
4. Keep a damp sponge nearby for quick cleanup in case mortar is dropped on the tiles or any other surfaces.
5. Keep grout joints free of mortar. Remove excess mortar by cleaning the grout joints while the mortar is still soft.
6. Place plenty of spacers in between tiles to ensure even spacing between tiles and straight, uniform grout joints.
7. Allow field tiles to dry to a firm set and then install the border tile. Refer to the instructions on the package of mortar or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for recommended drying times.
8. Protect the area from use and avoid disturbing the tile.
9. (Go to Step 7.)

Note: Follow the written instructions of the mosaic tile manufacturer when instructions are provided.

1. Gently place the first mosaic sheet in the center of the bottom row, leaving a gap between the tile and the countertop. Use spacers to maintain a consistent gap.
2. Continue to gently place the sheets in the row. Then move upward to the next row.
3. Using a soft foam rubber grout float, place the float flat against the top surface of the sheet and apply gentle pressure. This will ensure that the mortar transfers to the back of the mosaic tile and that the tile is in an even plane with the adjacent mosaic tile sheets. Avoid pushing too hard, which will result in mortar coming upward and filling the grout joints.
4. Check several of the set mosaic tile sheets for adequate mortar coverage by lifting them up. All of the ridges should be collapsed without voids or trowel lines. Mortar should also cover the entire back of each individual tile without voids or trowel lines. Note: This is especially important for clear and translucent glass tile.
5. Keep a damp sponge nearby for quick cleanup in case mortar is dropped on the tiles or any other surfaces.
6. Keep grout joints free of mortar. Remove excess mortar by cleaning the grout joints while the mortar is still soft.
7. Place plenty of spacers in between mosaic tile sheets to ensure even spacing between tiles and straight, uniform grout joints.
8. Allow mosaic tile sheets to dry to a firm set and then install border tile. Refer to the instructions on the package of mortar or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for recommended drying times.
9. Protect the area from use and avoid disturbing the tile.

1. Allow all tiles to dry until a firm set. Refer to the instructions on the package or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for recommended drying times.
2. Remove the spacers.
3. Certain types of tiles – such as heavily pitted tiles, unglazed tiles, and tiles that have textured surfaces such as some wood-look tiles – may require special preparation before grouting. The application of a pre-grouting sealer may be necessary to prevent grout haze and permanent staining of the tile.

1. Moisten the surface of the tile with a damp sponge.
2. Moisten the surface of the tile with a damp sponge. If Keracolor^® U Unsanded Grout, Keracolor S Sanded Grout or Ultracolor^® Plus FA grout is used, measure water amounts and do not add any extra water. Mix the grout according to the instructions on the package. Refer to current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for detailed instructions.
3. If MAPEI’s UltraCare^® Grout Maximizer additive is used with Keracolor U Unsanded Grout or Keracolor S Sanded Grout, mix the entire bag of grout with ¾ (75%) of the coordinating unit of UltraCare Grout Maximizer and do not add any water. Add some or all of the reserved UltraCare Grout Maximizer as needed in order to reach a sticky paste consistency similar to creamy peanut butter.
4. Next, holding the grout float at a 45-degree angle, force grout into the joints to completely fill the joints without voids.
5. When grouting a large area, grout and clean one section at a time rather than applying grout over the entire tile area.
6. Remove excess grout from the tile surface by moving the rubber float at a 90-degree angle across the tile in a diagonal direction.

1. Refer to the instructions on the grout package or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for cleaning instructions.
2. Never allow the grout to remain on the surface of the tiles for an extended length of time before completing the initial cleaning.
3. After each wipedown, rinse and wring out the sponge so that no excess water stays on the tile surface.
4. Change the rinse water frequently. Having multiple buckets of clean water at hand will simplify this process.
5. Make sure that all tiles are thoroughly cleaned before the grout dries. Note: This is especially important when using a rapid-setting cement-based grout such as MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA.
6. If grouting with MAPEI Keracolor S Sanded Grout or MAPEI Keracolor U Unsanded Grout, come back about an hour later and check the tile for any residual haze. If needed, buff the tiles with a dry terrycloth towel to remove any remaining haze. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department if the grout haze persists.
7. If using MAPEI Flexcolor^® CQ grout, perform a second wash and use a light-duty scrubpad (the kind that is safe for china) to remove any remaining haze. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department if the grout haze persists.
8. If grouting with MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA, all residual grout haze must be removed from the tile surface within 30 minutes to one hour after grouting.

Apply flexible caulk such as Mapesil^® T Plus in areas of movement such as cabinet/backsplash transitions, countertop/backsplash line and backsplash corners.