How to Cut Tile for Backsplash Outlets

Turn off the power to the backsplash area and remove the outlet covers.

Dry layout the tiles on the countertop in front of the backsplash, to develop the tile pattern and see where the tiles will intersect with the outlet boxes.

Begin installing the tiles, stopping when you get near the outlet. Take the individual tiles that will be installed around the outlet and hold them up against the previously installed tiles and the outlet box. Trace the outline of the outlet box onto the tiles with a pencil.

Trim the tile to size, on the tile wet saw, to get it as close to the correct size as needed. If the tile needs a corner removed to fit around the outlet, make two intersecting cuts on the tile with the wet saw. Make the first cut horizontally into the tile, until it touches the pencil line of the second mark. Pull the tile back out, turn it and make the second cut to create an L-shaped notch in the tile.

Remove a section of the center side of a larger tile to fit over and around an outlet box, by making several parallel cuts into the side of the tile, each as deep as the final cutout needs to be. Make the first two cuts on the two, horizontal pencil marks, which indicate where the tile box will be. Make the remaining cuts between these two lines, each approximately 1-inch apart. This will produce several "teeth" in the side of the tile. Use tile nippers to cut away the individual teeth and leave the space for the outlet box to fit.