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What Tile Setters DoTile setters create long lasting surfaces using ceramic tile. A solid, flat surface like plywood or a concrete floor is usually required for tile setting. For walls and countertops, tile setters first prepare a strong concrete base by applying waterproof paper to the surface and tack reinforced wire meshing over it. A mixture of cement, sand and water is spread over the lath, and the concrete is leveled and allowed to dry. When installing tiles, a finer grade of cement or mastic is used, with the desired thickness achieved by using a serrated trowel. The tiles are then cut and shaped with the appropriate tools so they can fit properly around corners, cabinets, sinks and windows. The tile setters lay the tiles on the cement, using plastic joints to separate them evenly, and a straight edge to make sure they are lined up before they are tapped into place. Once the cement is dry, the spaces between tiles is filled with a fine cement called grout, which is available in many colors. When the grout dries, a sealer is then applied to make it stain-resistant and waterproof. The job of a tile setter includes consulting blueprints and taking measurements of the project area, which enables them to estimate the amount of tile and other materials needed for the installation as well as the total cost and labor. In addition, tile setters can also order the materials and assist the homeowner in choosing the required tile and grout. Tile setters generally work indoors, in structures that are either being renovated or under construction. The job can be rather strenuous and often involves a lot of prolonged standing, reaching, bending, kneeling and heavy lifting of supplies like boxes of tiles, cement bags and mortar buckets weighing 100 pounds or more. No job is without its share of hazards, and a tile setter's job is no exception, which can include muscle strain, knee and back injuries, cuts from tools or materials and potential falls from ladders.
, Using Ceramic Tiles.com |
