I'm putting in a new backsplash where I removed an old sheet that was glued on. I'm planning to use actual tiles but I'm unsure about how to prepare the wall properly. Should I just apply grout and mortar directly to the surface, or do I need to sand it down to the bare wall first? Thanks for any advice!
2 Answers
Definitely peel off any loose paper first. It’s a good idea to prime the wall before you start tiling to help everything stick better. Just make sure the surface is smooth!
Use a wide blade scraper to remove any loose paper, and if the wall isn’t flat, you might want to apply a scratch coat of thinset first. If the wall is already flat and good, just prime the remaining surface after removing the loose bits, and you should be all set to tile!
Are you saying I should remove just the yellow stuff, or should I take off the cardboard texture too?
For priming, a PVA primer or sealer works great! It will help with adhesion.