A few weeks ago I tore my bathroom down to the studs. The bathroom was dated and old, because it was updated in the early 2000s. I finished the shower renovation using the Palisade click and lock tile system and it’s gorgeous. After finishing the shower I had a spot of trouble getting the bathtub in and then I tiled the floor. Once I got that done Hurricane Beryl came through and knocked out my power for a week. I put myself on a deadline with this bathroom and desperately needed to get the walls ready for the backsplash tile asap. So I worked in the dark to get the electrical done and the drywall up.
A Gorgeous Bathroom Backsplash With Peel and Stick Mussel Bound
I tore the bathroom down to the studs in order to move some outlets and light fixtures. There was also some plumbing to move, and a soffit to destroy. Thankfully the soffit didn’t hide any electric or plumbing so it was easy enough to remove. Hurricane Beryl did me no favors leaving me without power for a week, so I was stuck installing drywall in the dark. But I did it and go the backsplash area ready for tile! I have tiled several walls and floors, and I’ve used a few different methods of tiling.
One of my favorite ways to tile backsplashes is to use MusselBound tile adhesive. MusselBound is a roll of super strong double sided sticky paper. I know it sounds sketchy, but it is really super strong. It’s so strong I actually stuck my baby to it once! I really love MusselBound for its ease of use and how fast the tiling goes.
Using MusselBound To Make Any Tile Peel and Stick
I start with a clean wall and work in sections. Spread the MusselBound in sheets in the section you’re working on. I usually start by peeling the back side and sticking it to the wall and then I peel the front side as I go. With the MusselBound on the wall, I stick the tiles on it. For this tile job I chose not to use spacers. The tile I used has slight variations that give it a more organic look and I wanted them to sit against one another.
I continue tiling, exposing the sticky MusselBound when I am ready to put tile on it. When I get to spots that need a partial tile I use my sliding wet saw to cut the tiles to the size and shape I need. When using MusselBound the tiles need to be 100% dry so cutting them with a wet saw slows down the process a little. In some cases, cuts can be made ahead of time, allowing plenty of time for the tiles to dry before use. When I tiled my kitchen backsplash with MusselBound, I actually dried the tiles in my oven set to a super low temperature. Once all of the tile is up, it’s time for grout.
Finish It Off With Grout
Grouting is such a satisfying process. I use pre-mixed grout. You can use a tile float to get grout in the spaces, but I prefer to use my hands. After grouting all of the grout lines you use a wet sponge and go over the tiles to remove excess grout. Sometimes it takes a few passes to get all of the extra grout and haze off the tile. Once the grout is done, I always like to caulk the edges. Caulk finishes off the seams and seals the corners. Make sure to use silicone caulk made for bathrooms and kitchens.
The Most Gorgeous Bathroom Backsplash With MusselBound
I always love when I finish a project and this one feels even more sweet. This project has been a long time coming and I have really enjoyed planning it. The backsplash is beautiful and provides a perfect accent to my bathroom. I chose Zellige tiles in {} from Lowe’s and I couldn’t be more happy with how it all came together. The pros of using MusselBound are: ease of use, tiling speed, no waiting for mortar to dry before grout, and beginner friendly. There are few cons to using it. Once tile is on, it can be difficult to take it off and adjust. MusselBound is also a bit more expensive per square foot than using traditional mortar. I’ve loved using it for the projects that I have and will always recommend it as an option. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the bathroom shakes out. Follow along for the rest of my bathroom projects here!
