You’ve picked out the perfect backsplash tile at The RTA Store, and installed it yourself. Now you just need to figure out how to grout your kitchen backsplash! Don’t worry; you’ve come to the right place. At The RTA Store, we specialize in ready to assemble cabinets, so we love a good do-it-yourself (DIY) project. Grouting a kitchen backsplash is one of the most doable (and definitely one of the most feasible) DIY kitchen projects. Depending on how large your kitchen backsplash is, the entire project shouldn’t take more than an hour or two (when you don’t account for the overnight drying time, of course).
Ready to tackle this easy DIY kitchen project? Just follow this guide and you will have a grouted kitchen backsplash in seven easy steps.
Materials:
- Plastic sheeting
- Painter’s tape
- Grout
- Grout sealer
- Caulk
- Grout float
- Putty knife
- Two buckets
- Sponge
- Cloth
Step 1: Once you have all your materials in place, your first step is going to be to protect your countertops. To do that, cover them with plastic sheeting and secure the corners using painter’s tape.
Step 2: Now that your countertops are no longer at risk, you can mix your grout. Take one of your buckets and mix the grout using your putty knife and following the directions stated on the grout’s packaging. The goal should be to get the grout to a peanut-butter-like consistency.
Step 3: Now it’s time to grout. Depending on the size of your kitchen backsplash, you may want to break down the area into smaller sections.
To apply your mixture, spread the grout over your backsplash tile using your float. Work at a 45-degree angle, spreading upward and pressing the grout firmly in between the backsplash tile. Avoid getting too close to your kitchen cabinets, countertop or windows because they will be caulked.
Step 4: Let the grout dry for about 10 to 15 minutes, and fill your second bucket with warm water. You will use your sponge and the warm water to wipe away the excess grout from your backsplash tile.
Regularly rinse your sponge throughout this process, and make sure your sponge is only lightly dampened. Too much water can negatively affect your grout lines, and a dirty sponge will leave a haze over your kitchen backsplash.
Step 5: Your grout needs time to dry so you can return back to this project in a few hours or let it sit overnight. Once your grout has dried, you are going to go over the area again using a soft cloth. This is to ensure there is no film left on your backsplash tile.
Step 6: While you can wait a few hours to complete step 5, to start step 6 you will need to have waited at least 24 hours. At this point you will seal your grout using your sealer and clean cloth. This will protect your grout from acquiring stains and discoloration over time.
Step 7: You should now caulk your backsplash along countertops, windows and any other corners. Apply a bead carefully along the edges, and then go over the line using a lightly dampened sponge. To get the perfect line, use your finger to gently press over each caulk line, and then go over it again with the sponge to smooth.
Once your caulk is dried your project is officially complete. Congratulations, you just grouted your kitchen backsplash!
At The RTA Store we help make your dream kitchen a reality with RTA (Ready To Assemble) and Pre-Assembled kitchen cabinets, and accessories with the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call and let us make your kitchen dreams come true with the help of our free kitchen design tool!
