If you've got an old bathroom vanity that's structurally in good shape but is badly out of style or just too plain, consider tiling over it. Ceramic tile is inexpensive, easy to work with and comes in a wide selection of colors and styles. By using bullnose tiles, which are finished on one edge, you can border the tiled top without having to use separate trim. Plan on being without use of the vanity for a few days.
Instructions
1. Turn off the water valves under the sink and disconnect the water lines from the faucet, using your wrench. Disconnect the drain pipe. Cut through the caulk around the sink with a razor knife, then lift the whole bowl out of the hole in the top of the counter.
2. Sand over the surface of the counter with your belt sander, getting it dull and clean. Wipe off the dust with a tack cloth.
3. Measure the length of the counter with a tape measure and mark the middle. Draw a line with your pencil and square from front to back at the middle, dividing the counter into halves.
4. Cover the whole counter in adhesive with your notched trowel. The center line will still be visible through the adhesive.
5. Press the first row of bullnose tiles into the adhesive along the front of the top of the countertop, so the finished edges of the bullnose tiles are lined up and facing outward. Put spacers between the tiles as you lay them. Use your nippers to trim the tiles around the sink hole as needed (the cuts don't have to be perfect, as they will be covered by the sink rim). Cut the tiles at the ends on a tile cutter.
6. Lay a course of regular tiles behind the first row of bullnose tiles, again starting at the middle line and working to the sides. Put spacers between them. Continue setting rows of tiles, working your way back row by row. Use the nippers to trim the tiles around the sink as needed. Do the whole top. Let the tiles set overnight, then pull out the spacers.
7. Apply grout to the whole counter with a grout float, using it to press the grout into the spaces between the tiles. Use a damp sponge to wipe up the excess grout. When the tile are completely dry, wipe grout haze off with a dry cloth. Let it set for a full day and apply grout sealer according to package directions.
8. Reinstall the sink, reversing the process with which it was removed. The sink's rim should cover the edges of the cut tiles around the sink hole. Run a bead of caulk around the edge of the sink bowl where it sits on the tile.
Tags: around sink, bullnose tiles, counter with, tiles around, tiles around sink, with your