- 1). Measure the section of the kitchen backsplash where you plan on installing the tumbled stone. Mark off an area of equal size nearby and lay the tumbled stones out in the pattern in which you wish to install them. Tumbled stones have uneven edges and chipped corners; leave a 1/4-inch grout joint between them to even out these differences.
- 2). Cut the tiles that will be installed on the edges of the backsplash to fit with a tile wet saw. Turn the tiles so the cut edge will be in the corners of the installation whenever possible.
- 3). Snap a chalk line vertically down the exact center of each wall where you will begin laying the tiles and a second horizontally across the wall's mid-point. This will create a grid that you can use to keep your tiles lined up evenly. Since tumbled stone is irregular in shape, refer to this grid while placing the tiles, and gently twist or turn each tile to keep them as straight as possible.
- 4). Spread white Portland cement onto the wall where the tumbled stone will be installed. Key the mortar with the trowel to produce ridges or grooves that are the same depth throughout the area.
- 5). Press each piece of tumbled stone into the mortar, twisting it just slightly into place. Place the tiles onto the wall in the same pattern and layout you perfected earlier, using the chalk line to ensure that that the pattern is straight and the grout joints are even.
- 6). Allow the mortar to dry for 24 to 48 hours before sealing the tumbled stones. Paint them with a stone sealer to prevent them from absorbing grout and staining. Let the sealer remain on the surface of the stone for 10 minutes before wiping away the excess with a soft cloth.
- 7). Spread sanded grout over the tumbled stones with a grout float. Hold the float at a 45 degree angle to the stones to scrape the grout across them. Flatten the float to press the grout between each tile; pay attention to uneven edges and any missing corners to ensure an even application of grout. Make passes from several angles over these voids to ensure that the grout fills each missing corner.
- 8). Scrape excess grout off of the surface of the tumbled stone with the edge of the float, and wipe the surface of the stones with a damp sponge after 10 minutes to clean them. The grout will cure completely within three weeks.
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