How to Replace a Sink Splash Guard

Remove the old splash guard or wallpaper from the wall behind the sink. Position the tip of a chisel over the grout and tap it gently with a hammer to break the seal and loosen the tiles. Alternatively, peel the wallpaper off the wall and scrub the surface with an adhesive remover. Wipe the surface with a damp sponge and allow it to dry.

Dry-fit a row of ceramic tiles on the wall to determine the layout. If your counter already has tiles, align their grout lines with the grout lines of the new tiles for the guard. Mark tile lines on the sides of the wall.

Sand the surface of the wall with 100-grit sandpaper to roughen it, thereby helping the adhesive adhere better. Wipe away the residue with a clean cloth.

Apply tile adhesive over a 3-foot section along the lower center section of the wall with a notched trowel. Spread the adhesive to form a one-sixteenth-inch layer.

Set a tile in the center middle of the wall, pressing it lightly so it adheres to the surface. Check that the tile is level before inserting spacers on each corner.

Place tiles on each side of this first tile, working your way outward from the center, until you finish the first row. Install spacers at the corners of the tiles after installation, and spread more adhesive over the wall as needed.

Wipe away the adhesive that spreads over the face of any tile with a cloth. Repeat the process of installing tiles in the rows above. If required, cut the tiles for the topmost row with a tile cutter before installation.

Allow the tile adhesive to dry according to the label directions. When it has dried, remove the tile spacers.

Mix grout according to label directions. Use a rubber float to spread it into the gaps between tiles. Wipe excess grout off the surface of any tile with a damp sponge. Allow the grout to dry according to the manufacturer’s directions.