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Kitchen Rehab: Granite Countertops From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-207

(Continued from page 2)

	Figure J
	Figure K

Dry Lay and Cutting

Dry lay the components based on your graph drawing. The number of shapes should minimize the number of cuts necessary. As you dry lay, try to get the color and grain flow consistent as you move from one tile to the next. The goal is to make the tiles look like one single slab of granite.

• Start with your corner and bull nose pieces and then lay in the square field pieces. As you dry lay the tiles, keep your joints very small and work from the countertop towards the backsplash area. Cuts should be in the back. Measure and mark all of the cuts (both at the back and where appliances will sit) using a measuring tape, a straight edge, and a pencil or whiteout pen.

  Rock Solid Tip: Once you've decided what flow you like best, number the pieces with a white out pen so you don't forget where they go. The white-out will come off easily with a fingernail.

• Number all of the tiles, including tiles that need to be cut to size.

• Rent a wet saw to cut the granite. Double check the measurements, align the mark with the blade of the saw and cut from the bull nose first (figure J). Apply a light steady pressure when cutting and let the blade do the work (figure K).

• After you've cut a tile, dry it off and then use a rubbing stone to smooth the new edge; you want it to feel as smooth as an uncut tile.

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Figure L

Setting the Countertop

After all of the tiles have been dry laid and cut to size, it's time to set them. Begin by mixing up the thinset. You should use quick-setting modified thinset since the tiles are heavy and you want them to set before they move. Dean and Derek also suggest using white thinset as colored thinset can bleed through your tile.

• You can mix the thinset with a trowel in a clean five-gallon bucket or use a paddle mixer. Add water until you reach a consistency of peanut butter.

• Start setting tiles at an inside corner. Use the square notched trowel to spread a layer of thinset on the countertop. Smooth a layer first and then go over it with the notched ends of the trowel.

• Next, spread a thin layer of mud on the back of the tile (figure L). The total thickness of the thinset should equal the thickness of the 3/8 inch granite piece. Set the tile in the thinset, level it left to right and front to back, and move to the next tile.

• Work in small sections, and remember to level and maintain very small joint sizes. You want the tiles to run smoothly from one into the other. If you need to make adjustments, you can lightly tap the tiles with a rubber mallet. If you need to reset the tile, you can pop it using the suction cup and then reset it.

• If you find that your substrate is not perfectly level as you set the tiles, you can beef up your thinset bed, throw in a tile shim underneath, or tape the two pieces together with blue quick-release tape. These will prevent the tiles from sinking or sliding. Finish setting all of your tile pieces.

Rock Solid Tip: If thinset squeezes up between joints, immediately wipe it away with a grout sponge.

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