Glass Tile Backsplash Options For An Elegant Kitchen

Posts Tagged ‘gap’

Over the years the sheet rock has started to deteriorate above the laminate kitchen counter. We had drought conditions for almost a decade but I use soaker hoses near the foundation during the summer. There is a window, a sink, and upper cupboards several feet to the left of the area. The paint/sheet rock aging has taken about 10 years to develop where the paint is peeling off near an outlet. About three years ago, one of the upper cabinets started to lower from the ceiling about half an inch gap between the ceiling and it. Since I have been un/under employed since 9/11 I don’t have the money to rip everything out and remodel or replace cabinetry so I need to determine what the problem is. I just recently got full time temporary employment but not to the point where I can afford remodeling.

Suddenly, about a week ago, the backsplash started moving away from the wall (not at the sink end) so that the silicone caulk is pulling away. It looks like the backsplash is leaning backwards at the end about 1/4 inch. I am not sure if it is the composite backsplash that is swelling, or if it is the foundation moving and pushing something. We had ants coming in through that area for the last ten years and I finally got them permanently stopped with some Combat ant gel. This is the first year we haven’t had those tiny ants. There are no water leaks. I am afraid that something is causing moisture since the area is so small (about 3 feet wide.) I need to call a professional in but I have no idea who to call for an estimate… foundation? carpenter? pest control?
Roofing: There are no leaks, and the ceiling is to wet. I had a roofer out (they all wanted money and signed contract before they would give me an estimate.)
Moisture: It appears to be either coming from inside the wall or it is the foundation moving. I know it is one of those two things.

Hi. I would like to install a glass tile backsplash in my kitchen (tiling over drywall). In one area, there is about a 2′ section that dips in – deepest gap between wall and counter is in the middle (around 1/2") but then evens out a foot or so in each direction. How can I correct this? Should I use all-purpose joint compound to true up the wall then tile over that? Or maybe use more thinset in that area when tiling? Any help/recommendations would be very helpful. Thanks!

Hi , I too have formica laminate on the wall and want to replace it with tile. Since my new countertops are not as thick as the old ones, and there was a metal strip between old countertop and wall laminate, there is now a gap of drywall of approximately 1 inch between the granite countertop and the bottom of the wall laminate. Can I fill this in with something to make the backing surface even, and if so, what can I use? There are several places within this gap where they drywall is damaged from countertop removal, but I believe these areas could be spackled.
Unfortunately before discovering this site, I took advice on an associate at a major home improvement center, who told me I could not tile over the laminate but that the laminate would pull off easily from the wall. I attempted to pull one piece off and most of the covering on the drywall came off with it. I don’t suppose there is any repair for this other than replacing the drywall? The total size of the area I attempted to pull off is 24 x 36 and about 1/2 of that area still has laminate, which will not come off and the other half has naked dry wall. Luckily for me, this area is separate from my main kitchen area, where the laminate remains intact.
Thank you very much for your advice.

I too have formica laminate on the wall and want to replace it with tile. Since my new countertops are not as thick as the old ones, and there was a metal strip between old countertop and wall laminate, there is now a gap of drywall of approximately 1 inch between the granite countertop and the bottom of the wall laminate. Can I fill this in with something to make the backing surface even, and if so, what can I use? There are several places within this gap where they drywall is damaged from countertop removal, but I believe these areas could be spackled.
Unfortunately before discovering this site, I took advice on an associate at a major home improvement center (Kitchen backsplash Ideas expert), who told me I could not tile over the laminate but that the laminate would pull off easily from the wall. I attempted to pull one piece off and most of the covering on the drywall came off with it. I don’t suppose there is any repair for this other than replacing the drywall? The total size of the area I attempted to pull off is 24 x 36 and about 1/2 of that area still has laminate, which will not come off and the other half has naked dry wall. Luckily for me, this area is separate from my main kitchen area, where the laminate remains intact.