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DIY bathroom vanity backsplash/sidesplash - Update
I finished installing the backsplash and sidesplash on a bathroom vanity. It was a lot of work because I had to remove the previous caulk and the MVP of this event was definitely the painters tape.
1) Always have all parts you plan to install available before you schedule a contractor to come out and do any work, like installing bathroom vanities. That would have saved me two days of work on this one bathroom. Silver lining, I now know how to install a backsplash and sidesplash.
2) Youtube "how-to" videos are awesome. I looked at a wide variety of how-to vids to see what everyone did, there was some variation on how people tackled this type of project.
3) Don't be afraid of use Spackle to fix dents or even out the wall if your wall has a curve. Most of the guides say you can have 1/4 of an inch gap but no more if you want to use silicone caulk to seal your backsplash. If the gap is larger than 1/4 inch you'll need a "backer rod," or you'll need to add Spackle/joint compound to your wall. I guess it depends on much of a gap there is and how long. If it's a small gap I think Spackle is fine. I'm investigating that one for the downstairs bathroom. I used Spackle to fix the dent from the install work done.
4) If you don't already have the faucets installed, add your backsplash before the faucets!
This was the hardest part of caulking the backsplash. The gap between the faucet and backsplash was so narrow I couldn't fit the caulking gun in the space and had to use my fingers to spread the caulk which made a bit of a mess. Painters tape saved my bacon! I would have so much more cleanup without it.
I learned that atching a lot of videos isn't the same as doing the actual job. The vids made it look easy, but right out the gate I messed up when I cut the tip off my silicone caulk, I cut too low so I ended up wasting a lot of caulk and I had big globs of this stuff coming out. Hence, MVP painters tape.
If you're removing caulk, I recommend finding a good music playlist. That task took me about 4 hours. I went very slowly to make the least amount of damage removing the older caulk. Luckily that was covered up by the backsplash and sidesplash.
On the feelings front, I'm glad I accomplished this project. I do feel a sense of accomplishment, but I'm also anxious because I'm afraid I didn't do a good enough job. It looks all right on the surface, but I'm worried I put too much silicone on the back of the backsplash, or didn't put enough. I'm at the stage where I'm going to notice every imperfection.
Still on my to-do-list, I need to add Spackle to the sections of the wall where the plaster was ripped off during the previous cabinet removal happened.
I feel bad for anyone that moves in after us and wants to install their own vanity. I'm afraid they may have to rip off the Sheetrock and replace it with new Sheetrock. But I think at that point the Sheetrock will be old and maybe this stuff has a limited lifespan before you're supposed to re-paint/texture/or whatever it is people do to make a wall look newer than 20 + years old?
In any case, I now have a greater appreciation for my husband's work on fixing up our home. This isn't easy if it's not your day job!
1) Always have all parts you plan to install available before you schedule a contractor to come out and do any work, like installing bathroom vanities. That would have saved me two days of work on this one bathroom. Silver lining, I now know how to install a backsplash and sidesplash.
2) Youtube "how-to" videos are awesome. I looked at a wide variety of how-to vids to see what everyone did, there was some variation on how people tackled this type of project.
3) Don't be afraid of use Spackle to fix dents or even out the wall if your wall has a curve. Most of the guides say you can have 1/4 of an inch gap but no more if you want to use silicone caulk to seal your backsplash. If the gap is larger than 1/4 inch you'll need a "backer rod," or you'll need to add Spackle/joint compound to your wall. I guess it depends on much of a gap there is and how long. If it's a small gap I think Spackle is fine. I'm investigating that one for the downstairs bathroom. I used Spackle to fix the dent from the install work done.
4) If you don't already have the faucets installed, add your backsplash before the faucets!
This was the hardest part of caulking the backsplash. The gap between the faucet and backsplash was so narrow I couldn't fit the caulking gun in the space and had to use my fingers to spread the caulk which made a bit of a mess. Painters tape saved my bacon! I would have so much more cleanup without it.
I learned that atching a lot of videos isn't the same as doing the actual job. The vids made it look easy, but right out the gate I messed up when I cut the tip off my silicone caulk, I cut too low so I ended up wasting a lot of caulk and I had big globs of this stuff coming out. Hence, MVP painters tape.
If you're removing caulk, I recommend finding a good music playlist. That task took me about 4 hours. I went very slowly to make the least amount of damage removing the older caulk. Luckily that was covered up by the backsplash and sidesplash.
On the feelings front, I'm glad I accomplished this project. I do feel a sense of accomplishment, but I'm also anxious because I'm afraid I didn't do a good enough job. It looks all right on the surface, but I'm worried I put too much silicone on the back of the backsplash, or didn't put enough. I'm at the stage where I'm going to notice every imperfection.
Still on my to-do-list, I need to add Spackle to the sections of the wall where the plaster was ripped off during the previous cabinet removal happened.
I feel bad for anyone that moves in after us and wants to install their own vanity. I'm afraid they may have to rip off the Sheetrock and replace it with new Sheetrock. But I think at that point the Sheetrock will be old and maybe this stuff has a limited lifespan before you're supposed to re-paint/texture/or whatever it is people do to make a wall look newer than 20 + years old?
In any case, I now have a greater appreciation for my husband's work on fixing up our home. This isn't easy if it's not your day job!