Prepping the Surface

• A glossy or semi-gloss wall surface won’t hold tile adhesive or tile as well as a flat surface will. To remedy this, you must remove the gloss from the section you’ll be tiling. Unless you’re going to repaint the entire wall, draw an outline that represents the perimeter of the tiled backsplash and rub a rag, saturated with a liquid-type sanding solution, over the surface within the outlines. Don’t get the liquid outside the lines or it will remove the sheen from other sections of the wall.
  
  

Tile Adhesive

• When choosing a tile adhesive, such as tile glue or thin set, use only the type recommended by the manufacturer of the tile you select. On the adhesive package, you’ll find a recommendation for selecting a notched trowel with which to apply the adhesive. Use only the size of notched trowel recommended for the best results.
  
  

Tools and Supplies

• In addition to tile adhesive and a notched trowel, to install a tile backsplash, you’ll need tile spacers, a level, grout mix, a rubber trowel, damp sponge and a tile saw to cut edge tiles. Wear old clothing and protective goggles to protect your skin and eyes from grout splatters and tile shards.
  
  

Tile Installation

• When installing tile vertically, especially on a wall you think may have adhesion problems, start at the bottom so the lowest row of tile rests upon the top of the counter. This reduces the gravitational pull on the tiles. Use spacers between individual tiles and between each subsequent row to hold the tiles in place until the glue sets. Check each tile row for level as you go.
  
  

Grouting

• Once the tile adhesive sets, you’ll remove the spacers and fill the joints with grout. A rubber trowel helps smooth the grout without scratching the face of the tile. Wipe off excess grout immediately with a damp sponge, especially from the surrounding painted wall.