Backsplash Tile And Outlets for Dummies

tiling around outlets and switches

A distressing (though not particularly surprising) portion of the so-called "how-to" posts at eHow.com and its associated niches are clearly written by people who had no idea what they are discussing. One dead giveaway is a failure to understand just why the original questioner (OQ) would ask how to do something in the first place. This often plays out as a general answer to a specific question or a specific answer to a general question. eHow's Cameron Easey did the first in the post, "How to Install Tile Backsplash Around Outlets."

Apparently, Easey has never seen a kitchen remodel in progress. In the case of new construction, outlet and switch boxes are (supposed to be) installed sufficiently "proud" that the face will be more or less flush with the backsplash tile. When tile is added in a remodel job, though, the electrical boxes end up inset by as much as half an inch. The usual solution is to install the outlets and switches on the existing boxes using extra-long screws and plastic spacers. If you're truly attentive to detail, you can probably buy electrical box extenders at a local hardware...

Cameron, however, wasn't thinking about what immediately occurs to DIYers adding a tile backsplash. No, instead of addressing this question, Easey provided a primer on installing wall tile. Yup, that's it: just,

"Tiling a backsplash normally involves using a thinset mortar or adhesive to adhere the tile to the wall. Installing the tile around an outlet can be done by following steps to make sure the tile fits correctly."

He then regurgitates someone's instructions for installing wall tile, shoehorning some "special" instructions into the middle:

"Cut out the size of the outlet from the square tile with the mesh backing. This type of tile is held together by the mesh which can be easily cut to fit around an outlet... Measure individual tiles to see what size they need to be to fit around the outlet. These type of tiles will usually need to be cut to size to fit properly. Use a pencil to mark the tile where it will need to be cut."

Easey's instructions completely ignore the real problem, which is that the outlet's now in a hole. Instead of going into great detail (370 words) about how to install tile, Cameron should have been telling his readers that the opening cut in the tile must be the same size as the electrical box and include a "nick" that will allow the "ears" of the outlet or switch to rest on the surface of the tile. That way, the electrical equipment will be flush with the surface instead of buried at the level of the drywall. Easey didn't say to do that because he never thought it through. Cameron never thought it through because, like just about every other Dumbass of the Day, he had no idea what he was talking about.

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