Read This Before Installing a DIY Kitchen Backsplash

If you are having problems with the wall behind your sink getting wet or frequently getting food splatters on the wall behind your stove, a backsplash might be the perfect solution. A kitchen backsplash may seem easy to install because it is relatively small. However, it can be more difficult than you might expect to measure, cut, and seal your backsplash properly. Even minor issues can result in water getting trapped behind your backsplash, which can cause even more significant problems than water you can easily reach and clean up.

Read this before installing a DIY kitchen backsplash to make sure you know what you are getting into and feel confident that you are capable of creating a well-done backsplash that does what you want it to. 

What Is a Backsplash? 

Sinks, stoves, and other parts of your kitchen can be messy, and making sure you have a sturdy, waterproof material behind them is an important step in protecting your walls and reducing water damage. Many typical wall materials and paints are not designed to withstand getting wet frequently throughout the day, and adding a backsplash to the area behind your sink can help protect your wall and reduce the need for costly repairs.

A backsplash behind your stove can also help keep grease, steam, and food splatters off your wall. These panels function similarly to an extension of your counter, and they are typically made from tile, marble, glass, granite, or a similar material that is durable and easy to clean. 

Things to Know Before Installing a Kitchen Backsplash

Installing a kitchen backsplash can be more challenging than you anticipate because it needs to be done as close to perfectly as possible to make sure it can do its job of keeping water and food off your walls. 

Choose Your Colors Carefully

Although getting the colors of every aspect of your kitchen right is important, the appearance of your backsplash and its grout are more significant than they might seem when it comes to tying your kitchen together and creating an aesthetically-pleasing appearance.

Your backsplash is naturally one of the first things anyone that enters your kitchen will see because it sits near eye level on a vertical wall. This means that its colors and pattern are much more important than the afterthought they originally might be, and making sure they complement your countertops and the rest of your kitchen is a must when it comes to creating a cohesive appearance. 

Make Sure to Install Your Backsplash Correctly to Prevent Water Damage

Your backsplash may seem easier to install than your countertops and other larger parts of your kitchen, but it is crucial to remember that its primary purpose is preventing water damage. This means that every step of the installation process must be followed carefully to make sure your backsplash has strong seals and is capable of keeping water and other stains off your walls.

You will need to make sure the edges of your backsplash line up with the edges of your countertop and cabinets as precisely as possible and your caulk and grout are applied both neatly and thoroughly to ensure proper seals.

Measure Carefully

Your backsplash may seem easier to install than larger and more complex parts of your kitchen, but measuring it as precisely as possible is also essential. You will need to work around any outlets, light switches, windows, appliances that are attached to your wall, and other objects that will impact the exact size and shape of your finished product, and even minor measurement issues may result in significant challenges creating strong seals. 

At Edesia Kitchen and Bath, we are here to help you complete a wide range of kitchen remodeling products of any size to keep your space as beautiful and functional as possible. Installing your own kitchen backsplash can work well if you have experience working with the materials involved and are confident in your ability to do it properly, but we are here to help if you would prefer to have it handled by a professional.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help if you decide that taking a DIY approach to installing your new kitchen backsplash is not the best fit for you!