I would open up wall and rewire with cable and install new tile backer.

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Although it would be preferred to install the electric in the wall, you could just remove it and re-install it after you tile....since it is a surface mount system.

 

That whole thing looks like poop and likely does not meet modern codes.
If it was mine I'd strip all of it back to studs and run the wires through the studs making sure it was 12-2 wires all the way back to the panel and just install drywall.
FYI that's wire mold, not conduit and just looks like an after thought.

 

the previous owners took the easy way out

You're proposing the same thing.

 

Man, I know the best way to do this is rip everything down to studs and install brand new everything. This is a rental so I was hoping I wouldn't have to do that. I'm asking if my thoughts would be feasible and if not what issues I would be running into. I didnt write this post to get judged. Thanks

 

. I didnt write this post to get judged. Thanks

You wrote this post to get comments.
You got 'em.

 

You started the judging with your critique of the previous owner. Then you propose the same level of effort for yourself. What are we supposed to do with that?

 

Ok. Thanks for all your help. I've learned a lot.

 

I see nothing wrong with doing what you propose. I do wonder if any electric codes forbid burying the conduit (heat).

 

You cannot bury Wiremold. I concur that the best way would be to take a 4" swath of wall board directly behind the wiremold, bury the NM cable and install new boxes and fix the drywall and tile over it.

 

It will take very little more time and maybe $30 for materials to remove the sheetrock a foot up from the countertop, put in new sheetrock (highly recommend the 2x2 foot pieces of sheetrock for repairs as it is much more durable for small sections), cut in for retrofit boxes and then put in a GFCI receptacle, and then put in the backsplash.

I hate doing the same work twice or spending time and money and have the end result look amateurish or worse.

If you are being smart and sheltering in place then this is a good use of your current extra time for small projects like this one.

 

I don't understand why you would want to use plywood rather than drywall. What chandler said is true - drywall is fairly easy if you don't have to tape it. Or you can if you want - first coat taping is all that is needed, and it doesn't have to be a particularly smooth job either. I see no reason to mess with cement board (assuming it is 1/2", which is a pain in the neck to deal with compared to drywall.) This is actually a pretty easy job, if a little time consuming.

 

Because he wants to go right over the tile. Plywood would be easier to create a flat , solid, smooth surface. But Post #11 says you can't bury that conduit (wiremold?). It would not be very expensive to just do it right, though it would take more time.

 

Because he wants to go right over the tile.

Maybe I am missing something, but I don't see any tile in his pictures.

 

Plywood is not a suitable substrate for tile. Yes I know people do it and sometimes later find out that it worked over the years, but it's not a good idea. Drywall is plenty flat smooth and solid enough for backsplash tile.