My job in progress - kitchen splash back

[DHTiling]

Thanks for the pics.. you should really have centred the hob area and worked left to right from that point.. it is a focal point.

 

[Scott]

Looks bang on, you have done well keeping them nice and even as you go. Its all too was for them to go a bit wobbly. You may be lucky with the layout as i reckon you could be close to centre even though you have started with a full tile from the corner.

 

[jgw1]

Thanks,

Looks like I have been lucky as there is a tile centered on the hob.

I have finished for the day now - just got to clean up and remove the spacers. I've acheived what I wanted to -I can grout and silicone behind the hob prior to the gas bloke coming to connect it and get the sink in.

I have a slight worry about the gap between the tiles and the underneath of the units (see photo). This has moved up to around 7mm. It looks a bit unsightly but with a 2.5mm spacing and a similar gap at the top it would mean fitting a 2mm tile run eek.

I think that I'll leave it as it is and put up with filling the gap with grout. What do you guys think.





Here's the gap:

 

[Brinkley]

can you drop the unit down a bit i like to tile first putting the cupboards sitting on top of the tiles

 

[jgw1]

That's a good idea. Cheers. I won't be able to make it meet the tile but I will be able to make it look better.

 

[Scott]

Whats off level the tiles or the units? Are you having a pelmet along the bottom of the unit?

 

[jgw1]

Looks like it is the unit.

I bought the material for a pelmet, but need to buy/hire a mitre saw to fit it. So basically yes if I decide to go for it

The whole kitchen, except for gas, electrics and worktop, is my work.

 

[Scott]

Then drop the wall unit down and the peplemt will cover any other discrepancies from eye level.

Watch that hob with the adhesive and grout on it so it doenst scratch it

 

[jgw1]

Cheers Scottley,

Just lowered it and the grout space is the same height across the wall now - that makes it look a lot better. Thanks

 

[jgw1]

Here is a breif update. I mixed up 2.5Kg of Mapei Ultracolour Chocolate grout and grouted around the hob and the sink. These mosaics really eat grout!

It seems to be OK and have pasted some pics below. I know it is a bit weird finishing all the tiling before this but this is the best way for me to get a hot meal and be able to wash up next week.

I have cleaned down the excess and lightly cleaned with a sponge but there is still a grout haze on the tiles. I think that if I keep cleaning and the sponge and going over it again and again I'll just keep leaching out grout.

However I am a bit worried about leaving the grout to develope a haze - will it be OK to clean down tomorrow night? Same for the worktop - that has a haze in places - does grout stain worktops?

Mapei grout mixed in bucket, 2.5Kg of powder took about 30min to apply so was about right for me:


It's quite stiff when mixed, I left it for 2-3 min as per instructions. Oddly though it could go quite slack in the joints


Close up of tiles after clean up:


Tiles after cleaning:

 

[Brinkley]

well done looking good jgw1

 

[jgw1]

Thanks,

I don't know if I could handle 3 more buckets of brown grout, the stress of making sure I don't get it anywhere I shouldn't isn't good for me.

 

[Scott]

It does slacken off after a a while. Can be a right pain if its mixed a little too wet start with. The haze will be fine if its just a fine haze. It can be ither wiped off as a dust if its really fine or a little more elbow grease if its a touch thicker. Otherwise another sponging off will do it.

Doesnt it get everywhere though? You should try the anthracite one its worse!