Tumbled Marble Backsplash Installation Tips

When installing a tumbled marble backsplash there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind. The process of installing tumbled marble on the backsplash can be quite simple for those that know what they are doing. However, if you skip over necessary steps, the backsplash could turn out badly. Here are a few tips to consider when you are installing a tumbled marble backsplash.

Seal Before Installation

One thing that you should consider doing is pre-sealing your tumbled marble tile before installing it. Tumbled marble is a very porous type of tile that can absorb a lot of things naturally. It has many crevices in the tile that can collect liquids as well. If you do not seal it before you install, the tile might soak up some of the setting materials. It could be stained in the process. Get a good stone sealer and thoroughly seal the tumbled marble tile before you get started. Then allow it to completely dry before going any further with the installation.

Lay Out Tile First

Before you start actually installing the tumbled marble tile on the backsplash area, you should lay it out and do a "dry run" first. Many people like to do a pattern or some kind of design in the backsplash. However, they wait until they are sticking the tile up on the wall to consider what they are going to do. Then the adhesive is drying and time is running out. They usually end up making a mistake as a result. To avoid this situation, just lay out the design on the ground or on a countertop before installing the tile. This will help you get the pattern down in your mind. It might even be helpful to lay it out and then take a picture to refer back to later.

Use Mastic

When installing the tumbled marble up on the wall, you will want to make sure that you use the proper type of adhesive. While you technically could use thinset, you will most likely want to use mastic instead. Mastic is a stronger adhesive when it comes to sticking things to walls and it will keep your tile in place better. It also comes premixed in buckets and therefore, you do not have to worry about mixing it up right.

Use Grout Easy

When working with tumbled marble, you may want to consider using a product called "Grout Easy" or a similar product. With tumbled marble, you will have several crevices and holes in the tile itself. If you install it just like that and then try to use traditional grout in the joints, you will inevitably get some grout in these crevices randomly. With "Grout Easy" you can actually fill up these holes with a special type of grout that is easy to work with. You pre-fill the holes so that the regular grout will not have a chance to fill them up later.