How To Tile Backsplash Around Outlet?

How To Tile Backsplash Around Outlet?

Installing a tile backsplash is a great way to update your kitchen without spending a lot of money. But if you’re not careful, it can also be a costly mistake. One of the most challenging parts of tiling a backsplash is working around outlets and other fixtures.

So, how to tile backsplash around outlet? The short answer is: turn off the power to your breaker box, cut out a hole in the wall with a drywall saw for the cover and tiles, tile around the outlet, clean up after done, and clean up the grout.

In this article, we’ll show you how to tile around an outlet without messing up your work or damaging your walls.

Tools and Materials

Here are some basic tools you would need to tile the backsplash around an outlet.

• Tile
• Saw
• Drill
• Grout
• Float Sponge
• Sandpaper
• Tile Spacers (Optional)

Also, a very handy tool to use for cutting tiles is a grinder. Readout how to cut tiles with a grinder.

How To Tile Backsplash Around Outlet?

Over the long term, poorly placed outlets can cause tiles to crack or be chipped away by cords tugged on by appliances or furniture. And when that happens, the only fix is to break out your tile saw and cut away the grout around the outlet, costing you time as well as money.

In this article, we’ll show you how to tile around an outlet without messing up your work or damaging your walls.

You can also find a very interesting guide on installing tile backsplash with mesh.

Step-by-step Guide To Tile Backsplash Around Outlet

This process takes the following 5 major steps.

Step 1: Prepare the Surface and Outlet

The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure your surface is completely clean and dry. If your tiles are not already set, you can use spacers as a guide for the tile saw blade.

To determine where to place an outlet cover, turn off the power to your breaker box and remove the old outlet. If you’re worried about losing screws, tape them in place with some masking tape.

Step 2: Cut Out a Hole for the Outlet Cover and Tiles

Next, trace an “X” on top of each tile surrounding your outlet. Place spacers on the outside of that “X” to prevent scratching your walls while you cut.

Switch on your saw and carefully cut out a hole for the outlet cover, being careful not to get too close to the screw holes if they are still in place from the previous outlet box. Remove any tile from the inside of this opening with a hammer and chisel.

After you’ve removed the tile, use an outlet cover to mark your opening on the wall by placing it in place and tracing around it with a pencil. Remove the cover and then cut out an “X” in that outline. Use a grout float or small putty knife to remove the remaining tile pieces.

Now all you need to do is set your outlet cover in place and push it firmly against the wall so it won’t move while you’re drilling. Make sure you are happy with its position before screwing it down. Mark the positions on the wall for your screws, drill pilot holes, and secure them in place.

Step 3: Tile Around the Outlet

Mix up some thin-set mortar according to the manufacturer’s instructions and apply it around the inside of your outlet hole with a small trowel. It is important not to use regular thin-set mortar for this job. The regular thin-set is too thick and will not properly fill the space around the outlet.

After covering that space with adhesive, press your tiles into place and wipe off any excess mortar. Hold them in place with spacers and allow the mortar to dry for about an hour. When it’s ready, run a notched grout float over the surface of each tile to clean off excess mortar.

Interested in knowing how to cut glass tile around outlets, here is a complete guide for you!

Step 4: Clean the Area Around the Outlet

Mix up a small batch of grout and fill in all of the spaces between your tiles using a rubber grout float. It’s important to use grout that matches your tile as closely as possible. Don’t forget to wipe off any excess grout with a wet sponge.

After the grout has dried for about 15 minutes, use a damp sponge to clean it off and remove any haze.

Step 5: Clean Up

After your tiles have been set overnight, use a sturdy utility knife or snap-blade craft knife to cut away the excess grout around the tiles where the wall meets the floor.

Cover any exposed drywall with spackle, allow it to dry completely, and sand it levels with the surrounding surface once it has dried. Your grout should now be flush with the tile for a seamless appearance. Let your patchwork dry overnight. Apply two coats of primer-sealer to the patched area and let that dry before painting.

So, in short, we can say that tile backsplash around the outlet can be done by following the above instructions very easily which include the following major steps:

(1)Turn Off the Power to Your Breaker Box and Remove the Outlet

(2) Cut Out a Hole for the Outlet Cover and Tiles

(3) Tile Around the Outlet

(4) Clean Up

(5) Clean Up After your tiles have been set overnight, use a sturdy utility knife or snap-blade craft knife

Optional Steps That Can Be Skipped

You must have to follow the above-mentioned steps, but the following steps can be skipped in some cases depending upon your choice. It will not affect the procedure more

1) Tile Spacers (Optional)

Tile spacers are nothing more than thin plastic rectangles that come in several different sizes to create a gap between tiles for grout. These may not be necessary if you’re working with very small tiles because the space might already be too big to hold just mortar. They also make it easier for grout to seep into the tiniest crevice.

2) Remove Tile (Optional)

You can probably cut out a hole for your outlet cover without removing tile first, but I like to do it this way. The tile is anchored very well and small tiles are hard to hold while cutting.

If you do need to remove tile, it’s a good idea to cut out the room and patch and paint the wall and floor before you reinstall your outlet cover.

Safety Tips

Before you start this project, turn off the circuit breaker to your outlet. Work carefully when digging into walls and always wear safety glasses. A set of drywall cut-out tools is worth the investment if you plan on doing a lot of power tool work around your home. Furthermore, here is a good piece of advice on how to cut tiles by hand.

Conclusion

So, in conclusion, we can say that tiling around an outlet can be done without too much headache, as long as you take your time, follow the steps carefully, and make sure all of your surfaces are clean. Also, if the process seems too difficult, call a professional to do it for you.