Ceramic Tile Installer Course

Lesson 1 • Mortar, Adhesive, and Grout Materials

Introduces setting materials, their chemical properties, and correct application contexts. Matching materials to substrates is critical for long-term bond integrity.

Lesson 2 • Essential Tools and Equipment

Identifies hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments used in tile installation. Proper tool knowledge prevents damage and improves installation accuracy.

Lesson 3 • Workplace Safety and Regulations

Covers personal protective equipment, hazard communication, and regulatory compliance requirements. Safe work habits established here apply throughout every subsequent chapter.

Lesson 4 • Overview of the Tile Trade

Covers the scope of ceramic tile work, career pathways, and industry standards. Establishes professional context before any hands-on skill is introduced.

Lesson 1 • Reading Construction Drawings

Teaches blueprint symbols, scale interpretation, and tile layout notations. Accurate plan reading is the prerequisite for every measurement and layout task.

Lesson 2 • Project Scheduling Basics

Introduces task sequencing, cure-time planning, and coordination with other trades. Scheduling prevents delays caused by wet materials or unfinished substrates.

Lesson 3 • Measuring and Calculating Square Footage

Covers area calculation for rectangular, L-shaped, and irregular rooms. Accurate measurements directly determine material quantities and reduce waste.

Lesson 1 • Installing Cement Board and Membranes

Demonstrates proper fastening, taping, and waterproofing membrane application over framed assemblies. These layers protect structural components from moisture intrusion.

Lesson 2 • Surface Cleaning and Priming

Covers removal of contaminants, old adhesives, and coatings that prevent bonding. Primers and bonding agents are selected based on substrate porosity and condition.

Lesson 3 • Substrate Types and Suitability

Identifies concrete, cement board, drywall, plywood, and existing tile as substrates. Each material has specific requirements that determine whether tile can bond successfully.

Lesson 4 • Evaluating Flatness and Structural Integrity

Teaches deflection testing, flatness measurement, and load-bearing assessment. Substrates that fail these checks must be corrected before any tile work begins.

Lesson 1 • Dry Layout and Tile Spacing

Demonstrates dry-fitting tiles to verify spacing, pattern alignment, and cut placement before mortar is mixed. Dry layout catches errors at zero cost.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Tile Layout Design

Covers visual balance, focal points, and grout joint sizing as design decisions. Good layout planning prevents awkward cuts at prominent room features.

Lesson 3 • Common Tile Patterns and Their Layouts

Covers straight, offset, diagonal, herringbone, and basketweave patterns with their specific layout requirements. Pattern choice affects both aesthetics and material waste.

Lesson 1 • Measuring and Marking Cuts Accurately

Teaches direct measurement, story pole use, and template transfer for complex cut shapes. Precise marking eliminates wasted tile from incorrectly sized cuts.

Lesson 2 • Manual Cutting Tools and Techniques

Covers snap cutters, tile nippers, and carbide scribes for straight and curved cuts. Manual tools are essential for field cuts when power equipment is unavailable.

Lesson 3 • Wet Saw Operation and Safety

Teaches blade selection, water cooling, feed rate, and safe operating procedures for wet saws. Wet saws produce the most precise cuts and are required for porcelain tile.

Lesson 4 • Drilling Holes in Tile

Covers diamond-tipped hole saws and carbide bits for plumbing and fixture penetrations. Correct drilling prevents cracking and produces clean openings for escutcheons.

Lesson 1 • Setting Floor Tile

Applies layout lines, mortar spreading, and tile placement sequences for floor installations. Correct sequence prevents walking on freshly set tile before mortar cures.

Lesson 2 • Setting Wall Tile

Covers ledger board use, gravity management, and non-sag mortar selection for vertical surfaces. Wall tile requires different support strategies than floor installations.

Lesson 3 • Large-Format and Rectified Tile Installation

Addresses lippage control, medium-bed mortar use, and back-buttering requirements for tiles over 15 inches. Large-format tiles amplify any substrate or technique deficiency.

Lesson 4 • Mixing Mortar to Correct Consistency

Covers water-to-powder ratios, slake time, and mechanical mixing procedures for thin-set. Proper consistency ensures workability and full bond strength after cure.

Lesson 1 • Grout Application Technique

Demonstrates float angle, diagonal spreading, and joint packing for complete grout fill. Proper technique prevents voids, pinholes, and premature joint failure.

Lesson 2 • Sealing Tile and Grout

Covers penetrating and topical sealers for grout and natural stone tile surfaces. Sealing protects against staining and moisture intrusion in high-use areas.

Lesson 3 • Caulking Movement Joints

Teaches placement of movement joints at changes of plane, perimeters, and large field areas. Caulk absorbs structural movement that would crack rigid grout joints.

Lesson 4 • Grout Selection and Mixing

Covers sanded vs. unsanded grout, epoxy grout, and correct water ratios for each type. Grout selection depends on joint width, tile type, and exposure conditions.

Lesson 1 • Exterior Tile Installations

Addresses freeze-thaw resistance, drainage slopes, and frost-rated material selection for outdoor tile. Exterior conditions demand stricter material specifications than interior work.

Lesson 2 • Tile Over Existing Surfaces

Covers bonding to existing tile, vinyl, and concrete overlays when full removal is impractical. Proper preparation and primer selection determine bond success on existing surfaces.

Lesson 3 • Tile on Countertops and Backsplashes

Addresses substrate build-up, edge treatment, and waterproofing for countertop tile installations. Countertops require precise layout to center grout joints at focal points.

Lesson 4 • Radiant Heat System Integration

Covers electric mat and hydronic system installation beneath tile floors. Tile must be set with modified mortar to accommodate thermal expansion from heating cycles.