Installing a mosaic tile backsplash is usually a simple task. However, many people are not sure what to do when you have an electrical outlet on the wall. In this tutorial, we're going to show you how to install mosaic tiles around electrical outlets. Make sure to measure your backsplash before.
Before we start, here are some things that you will need to install your mosaic tiles around an electrical outlet:
- Utility blade
- Hard surfaces - where you can cut the tile over
- Screw Driver
- Electrical Tester - Safety is always essential.
So make sure that you have turned the power off on the area you will be working. To make sure there is no risk, use the electrical tester on the electrical outlets. You should have no voltage at all on the outlet before you start to work.
Now that everything is clear and you have a safe environment to work in, grab the screwdriver and remove the outlet's cover plate.
Now, let's work on the tile installation. Start your tile installation from the left bottom or right bottom of the area you plan to tile. Where you start is up to you (as long as you start from the bottom). Keep installing the sheets until you get close to the outlet.
With the mosaic sheet in hand, identify which parts of the mosaic would cover the outlet and, with the utility blade, remove this part from the tile.
Before cutting this part out, remember to place the mosaic over a hard surface with no problems with cuts or scratches. You will find out that, for every installation, you will need a different plan on where and what to cut. Here are some examples:
a) Removing a rectangular part exactly over the outlet
b) Cutting the mosaic in parts and installing each piece separately.
c) Cutting the mosaic in two parts (an 'L' shape part and the rest of the sheet), installing the L shape, and using the rest of the sheet to complete the gap.
All these solutions are acceptable and will work in different situations. Just make sure you're lining up the grout joints correctly. A good piece of advice is the fewer pieces you cut the sheet down to, the easier it is to line up the joints.
When you have the area covered with the mosaic, grab the cover plate and gently place it over the outlet. Make sure that there are no gaps between the wall tiles and the plate. Ideally, all the edges of the plate should be touching the mosaic chips. If not, you will need to make minor adjustments to the installation.
When all the mosaic sheets are installed and grouted, place the cover plate back.
Now, turn the power on again, and it's DONE.
