Backsplash Installation in Hampton, VA
We put in tile and stone backsplashes above kitchen counters and bathroom vanities across Hampton, Virginia.
- Quotes in writing
- 17 areas covered
Hampton Countertop Pros installs backsplashes in homes across Hampton. A backsplash is the strip of tile or stone along the wall just above the counter.
What we can put on the wall
We fit tile backsplashes. We also fit stone ones cut from the same slab as your countertop, so the two match. We can stop the backsplash a short way up the wall, or take it all the way to the cabinets above.
Before we order anything, we'll hold tile and stone samples up next to your countertop so you can see them together.
We fit backsplashes on their own, or as part of new kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops or a countertop replacement.
Taking out an old backsplash
The EPA says about three-quarters of the homes in the United States built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint. It says any renovation, repair or painting project in a pre-1978 home that has lead-based paint can easily create dangerous lead dust.
When we take an old backsplash off, the paint we disturb is on the wall behind it. Under the EPA's rule, anyone paid to do work that disturbs painted surfaces in a home built before 1978 must be certified, and their workers trained in lead-safe work practices. The EPA recommends that homeowners hire a lead-safe certified contractor, and it has an online search to find one.
Dust when tile and stone are cut
OSHA counts porcelain, along with stone and tile, as a material that contains silica. In a letter about its silica rules, it says a stationary tile saw meets those rules when it has a built-in water system that feeds water to the blade the whole time, and that system is used properly. OSHA calls silicosis an incurable lung disease that can lead to disability and death.
An OSHA and NIOSH hazard alert on stone countertops tells countertop firms to do as much of the work as they can in the shop instead of at your house. We cut stone backsplash pieces in the shop where we can, and when we cut tile at your house we use a saw that feeds water to the blade.
Keeping water out from behind it
Where the backsplash meets the countertop, we run a bead of caulk, a soft sealant that keeps water out of the gap. The EPA's mold guide says the key to mold control is moisture control. It says not to caulk over moldy surfaces, and to clean up the mold and dry the surfaces first. So when the old backsplash comes off and we find mold on the wall, we'll tell you, clean it up and let the wall dry before the new one goes up.
What sets the price of a backsplash
We price backsplash installation for your house once we've measured, and you get that quote in writing. Our price depends on the tile or stone you choose, how much wall we cover, how many outlets and switches we have to cut around, and whether an old backsplash has to come off first.
What to get in writing
Ask for these in writing, whoever you hire:
- The name, color and size of the tile or stone.
- How high the backsplash goes and where it starts and stops.
- Whether taking off the old backsplash and fixing the wall behind it is in the price.
- How the tile will be cut, and how the dust is kept down.
- Who takes off and puts back the outlet and switch covers.
Questions about backsplash installation in Hampton
Do I need a permit for a new backsplash in Hampton?
The City of Hampton lists water lines, electrical wiring, gas lines and sheetrock (drywall) among the work that does need a permit. If taking off the old backsplash means replacing drywall, or you want an outlet moved, we'll check with the city's permit office with you before we start.
Can you put a backsplash on my existing countertops?
Yes, we can fit a new backsplash above the countertops you already have. We check how level the top is, then plan the first row of tile to suit it.
What if the wall behind the old backsplash is damaged?
We patch small holes and rough spots so the new tile sits flat. If a whole section of drywall has to be replaced, we'll tell you before we go ahead.
My sink leaked behind the backsplash. What should I do?
The EPA's mold guide says that if wet or damp areas are dried within 24 to 48 hours after a leak, in most cases mold will not grow. Dry the area as fast as you can, then call us to look at the backsplash and the caulk along the counter.
Should the backsplash go in before or after new countertops?
After. We set the countertop first, then fit the backsplash down onto it, so the bottom row sits tight to the top.
I rent out my home. Does the lead paint rule apply to me?
The EPA says its lead paint rule generally doesn't cover homeowners working on their own pre-1978 home. It says the rule does apply if you rent out all or part of your home, run a childcare center there, or buy, fix up and sell homes for profit.
How long does a backsplash take?
We tell you when we quote, because it depends on how much wall we cover and whether an old backsplash has to come off first.
Get a quote for backsplash installation
Call us, or send the quote form with your ZIP code and a photo of the wall. We'll measure, go through tile and stone options with you, and give you a written quote. To see the countertops we fit, go to the Hampton Countertop Pros home page.
Ready to talk about your countertop job?
Send the quote form with your ZIP code and what you need. We will get back to you with a written quote.