Wall & Floor Tiler (Setter) Course

Lesson 1 • Overview of the Tiling Trade

Covers the scope of wall and floor tiling as a skilled trade, including career pathways. Establishes professional context before technical instruction begins.

Lesson 2 • Reading Plans and Site Documentation

Teaches interpretation of architectural drawings, tile schedules, and work orders. Connects document literacy to accurate material estimation and layout planning.

Lesson 3 • Tools and Equipment Identification

Identifies hand tools, power tools, and measuring equipment used in tiling. Students gain vocabulary and recognition skills needed for all practical chapters.

Lesson 1 • Substrate Types and Compatibility

Covers concrete, cement board, drywall, plywood, and existing tile as substrates. Matching substrate to tile type prevents adhesion failure and structural problems.

Lesson 2 • Adhesives and Mortars

Introduces thin-set mortar, mastic, epoxy, and large-format adhesives with their correct applications. Adhesive selection directly determines bond strength and long-term durability.

Lesson 3 • Tile Types and Their Properties

Examines ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, and mosaic tiles by composition and performance. Provides the material knowledge base for all installation decisions.

Lesson 4 • Grouts and Sealers

Covers sanded, unsanded, epoxy, and urethane grouts alongside sealer types. Correct grout and sealer selection ensures waterproofing, aesthetics, and joint durability.

Lesson 1 • Installing Cement Board and Backer

Covers cutting, fastening, and taping cement board and backer panels on walls and floors. Proper backer installation creates a stable, moisture-resistant tile substrate.

Lesson 2 • Substrate Assessment and Testing

Covers visual inspection, moisture testing, deflection checks, and surface hardness evaluation. Proper assessment prevents tile failure caused by inadequate substrate conditions.

Lesson 3 • Waterproofing Wet Areas

Introduces membrane systems, liquid-applied coatings, and corner tape for showers and wet rooms. Waterproofing is a critical step before any tile is set in wet areas.

Lesson 4 • Surface Cleaning and Priming

Teaches removal of contaminants, efflorescence, and existing coatings, followed by primer application. Clean, primed surfaces maximize adhesive bond strength.

Lesson 1 • Establishing Reference Lines

Teaches snapping chalk lines, setting centerlines, and using laser levels for accurate layout. Reference lines are the foundation for all subsequent tile placement.

Lesson 2 • Common Tile Patterns

Examines straight stack, brick offset, herringbone, diagonal, and Versailles patterns. Pattern selection affects material usage, cutting complexity, and installation time.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Tile Layout

Covers symmetry, focal points, grout joint alignment, and avoiding narrow cut tiles at borders. Sound layout principles prevent unattractive results and excessive waste.

Lesson 4 • Layout for Walls and Vertical Surfaces

Covers datum lines, story poles, and starting courses for wall tile installation. Vertical layout requires different reference strategies than floor work.

Lesson 1 • Manual Cutting Tools and Methods

Covers snap cutters, tile nippers, and hand-held scoring tools for straight and curved cuts. Manual cutting is the first skill set before power tool use is introduced.

Lesson 2 • Drilling and Coring Tiles

Addresses diamond core bits, drill speed, water cooling, and preventing tile cracking during drilling. Drilling skills are essential for fixture and fitting installations.

Lesson 3 • Angle Grinder Cutting Applications

Covers diamond blade selection, freehand cutting, and plunge cuts for outlets and pipes. Angle grinders handle irregular shapes that wet saws cannot produce.

Lesson 4 • Wet Saw Operation and Safety

Teaches wet saw setup, blade selection, water management, and safe cutting procedures. The wet saw is the primary power tool for precise straight and miter cuts.

Lesson 1 • Adhesive Application for Floors

Covers notched trowel selection, back-buttering, and mortar coverage requirements for floor tiles. Correct adhesive application is the single most critical factor in floor tile bond.

Lesson 2 • Installing Floor Borders and Feature Strips

Covers inlay borders, medallions, and transition strips within floor tile fields. Feature elements require precise pre-planning and careful adhesive management.

Lesson 3 • Grouting and Finishing Floor Tiles

Teaches grout mixing, application, tooling, cleanup, and curing for floor installations. Proper grouting completes the floor and protects joints from moisture and debris.

Lesson 4 • Setting Floor Tiles in Sequence

Teaches working from reference lines, maintaining joint spacing, and checking level continuously. Systematic setting sequence prevents misalignment and lippage across the floor.

Lesson 1 • Tiling Around Fixtures and Openings

Covers cutting tiles around electrical outlets, pipes, windows, and door frames. Accurate fitting around fixtures defines the quality of a professional installation.

Lesson 2 • Tiling Wet Areas and Showers

Addresses shower niche installation, bench tiling, and waterproofed surface tile setting. Wet area tiling demands precise adhesive coverage and sealed penetrations.

Lesson 3 • Adhesive Application for Walls

Covers wall-specific adhesive types, notched trowel technique, and working in vertical sections. Wall adhesive must support tile weight without slumping before it cures.

Lesson 4 • Grouting and Sealing Wall Tiles

Teaches wall grout application, joint tooling, silicone caulk at changes of plane, and sealing. Caulk at internal corners prevents cracking caused by structural movement.

Lesson 1 • Large-Format Tile Installation

Covers substrate flatness requirements, back-buttering, suction cup handling, and leveling systems for tiles over 24 inches. Large-format work demands precision at every step.

Lesson 2 • Heated Floor System Integration

Covers electric mat and hydronic system installation beneath tile, including thermostat placement. Tile setters must protect heating elements during installation and grouting.

Lesson 3 • Quality Inspection and Defect Remediation

Teaches hollow tile detection, lippage measurement, grout joint inspection, and repair methods. Systematic inspection ensures work meets professional and contractual standards.

Lesson 4 • Movement and Expansion Joints

Teaches placement, sizing, and filling of movement joints in floors, walls, and field changes. Omitting movement joints causes tile cracking and debonding over time.