How to Replace a Kitchen Backsplash? (Complete Guide)

It is common for people to get bored by looking at the same backsplash design in the kitchen and like to refresh it with something modern. You may hire some professionals to do the deed, but doing it by ourselves makes it more personal and passionate.

Replacing the kitchen backsplash is not a very tough job. With the right set of tools and accessories, you can replace the tiles on your own very easily.

In this guide, we shall find out how to replace a kitchen backsplash and understand about grouting and caulking it.

How to Replace a Kitchen Backsplash?

We already discussed the removal of the kitchen backsplash previously. If you have followed it and removed the backsplash without any damage to the drywall, you can simply apply thinset mortar to the existing drywall and place the backsplash on it. If you have damaged the drywall, then you have to buy new drywall, cut it according to the wall profile, fix it to the frame, and then place the backsplash on it with the help of thinset mortar. 

We shall now look at the detailed procedure to replace a kitchen backsplash in both scenarios.

Replacing Kitchen Backsplash When Drywall is Not Damaged

The following procedure is suitable if your drywall is intact and there are no damages to it.

Tools and Components Required:

• Tile Cutter
• Square Notch Trowel
• Thinset Mortar
• Bucket
• Sandpaper
• Plastic Sheet
• Safety Gloves
• Safety Goggles
• Measurement tape

Procedure:

• Wear safety gloves and goggles to prevent any damage to yourself.
• First using the sandpaper, gently remove any rough edges or surfaces on your drywall. This will remove any kind of leftover mortar from your previous backsplash. If you have large chunks of old mortar on the drywall, then use a scraper to wipe it off clean.
• Measure your wall and lay out the tiles. Check the areas you need to cut the tiles. You might have to cut it around the electrical plugs and sockets. So, layout accordingly and cut the tiles appropriately.
• You can mark the area to cut using a marker pen and cut it using the tile cutter.
• Then, mix thinset mortar in a bucket with the help of a ribbon paddle and drill machine. You have to adequate amount of water for the mixture to be in perfect consistency.
• After mixing the mortar, apply it over the drywall using the trowel. Apply a slightly thick even coating of the mortar and comb it using the notch part of the trowel.
• Place a single tile and slightly press it into the mortar. Then, similarly proceed with all the other tiles and let them rest.
• You have to place the tiles closely together so that only a minimum gap is present between each tile.

This is how you have to replace the kitchen backsplash when you have your drywall intact. After this process, you have to grout and caulk the joints which we will see in the later part of this post. 

Now, if you have damaged your drywall, you can use the following procedure to install the drywall and then come back to the above-mentioned steps to install the backsplash.

Procedure to Replace Drywall

If you damaged your drywall when removing the backsplash, you can remove it entirely from the frame and install a new one with the following steps.

Tools Required:

• Replacement Sheet of Drywall
• Drywall saw
• Drywall screws
• Tape for drywall
• Joint compound pre-mixed
• Primer
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Measuring tape
• Safety goggles
• Safety gloves

Procedure:

• Wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself.
• First, you have to prepare the replacement sheet by tracing the wall profile on it. You have to mark the areas where electrical outlets would be present.
• Now cut the drywall using a drywall saw or cutter according to the profile. Make sure to cut holes in the areas with electrical plugs and sockets.
• Once you cut the drywall as per the shape of your wall, now place it over the frame or baseboard and screw it gently. 
• Place another sheet of drywall adjacent to it and screw it to the baseboard.
• Prepare the drywall joint compound for application over the joints and edges.
• Now cover the gaps using a coating of joint compound over the joints and seal it with drywall tape.
• Once you have fixed and sealed the entire drywall, paint a coat of wall primer over it.
• Let it dry for a day and your drywall is ready now. 

Once you have replaced the drywall, you can use the procedure mentioned previously to replace the backsplashes on the drywall. 

After replacing the backsplash tiles over the drywall, you have to grout and caulk it to seal the joints. Let us understand how to do it.

How to Grout and Caulk your Kitchen Backsplash?

After the thinset mortar has dried completely, you have to grout your backsplash to fill the gaps and crevices. Then you can caulk the gaps between the countertop and backsplash to prevent water or dust from entering the backsplash.

Procedure to Grout Kitchen Backsplash

Tools Required:

• Grout
• Grout float
• Sponge
• Buckets
• Drill and Ribbon paddle
• Warm water
• Cloth

Procedure:

• Cover your kitchen countertop with a plastic sheet to prevent grout from sticking to it.
• With the help of a ribbon paddle drill, mix the grout to a paste consistency in a plastic bucket.
• Make sure to mix grout in small portions to avoid drying and hardening.
• Spread the grout over the entire backsplash using a grout float and make sure to fill the gaps evenly.
• Once you apply the grout completely, let it dry for a few minutes.
• After 20 minutes, soak a cloth in warm water and wipe away the excess grout over the backsplash. Do not wipe the joints too hard.
• Then, let the grout dry for at least 24 hours.

While the grout is drying up, you can meanwhile caulk the corners, window gaps, cabinet gaps, and countertop gaps with the following procedure.

Procedure to Caulk Kitchen Backsplash 

While the grout is drying, you can caulk the gaps to prevent water, dust, and debris from entering the backsplash.

Tools Required:

• Caulk
• Caulk Gun
• Cloth
• Painter’s Tape

Procedure:

• Wipe the gaps between cabinet and backsplash, windows and backsplash, and countertop and backsplash using a cloth.
• Tape the surrounding areas of the gap to ease the cleaning after caulking.
• Then place the caulk on the caulk gun. You can also use the white Flex shot as a caulk.
• Start applying the caulk with constant pressure so that an even amount of caulk is being applied.
• Make sure to cover all the corners and the gaps.
• Wet your index finger and push the caulk inside the gaps gently.
• Finally, remove the painter’s tape and let the caulk dry. Using a wet cloth, remove excess caulk stuck to the backsplash tiles. 

You have now completely replaced your kitchen backsplash along with professional grouting and caulking.

Conclusion

It is very easy to replace your kitchen backsplash if you are ready to spend one or two days on it. With simple tools and accessories, you can replace the entire backsplash and give a new look to your kitchen or any other area with a backsplash. Hope this guide helps you to replace the backsplash tiles in the best way possible.