How to Put Tile Back on a Kitchen Wall

Remove the grout from around adjacent, intact tiles with a hand-held grout saw. Only remove grout on edges that abut the missing or fallen tiles.

Hold a metal scraper at a 45-degree angle on the exposed area of the wall and scrape off as much old tile adhesive as possible.

Fold a rag flat and lay it on a level work surface. Place fallen tile finished-side down on the rag. Hold the metal scraper at a 45-degree angle to the back of the fallen tile and scrape away tile adhesive. Cut away grout from around the fallen tile with a grout saw to reveal the smooth edge of the tile.

Sand the tile void spaces of the wall with 60-grit sandpaper to remove thin layers of adhesive or tile adhesive residue.

Wipe the wall and the back of the tile with a tack rag to remove debris and dust.

Spread a 1/4-inch coat of tile adhesive onto the wall with an appropriate-sized putty knife or trowel. Move the notches on the trowel through the tile adhesive in an "S" pattern to create lines in the adhesive. Cover the back of the tile with a thin coat of adhesive. Set the tile in place on the wall and rub a rag over the face of the tile while pressing the tile into the wall. Repeat for each missing tile. Let the adhesive set according to the manufacturer's instructions, generally anywhere from four to 12 hours depending on the type of tile adhesive.

Mix grout and water in a small plastic container or bucket. Scoop up grout on a grout float or, if the area is small, you may use a rubber spatula. Spread the grout over the recessed lines next to the tile while forcing the grout in between the tiles.

Wet a sponge and wring some water out. Allow the sponge to remain wet, but not dripping. Wipe the surface of the tile to remove the grout from the tile's face.