CPC31320 Wall & Floor Tiling flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Hierarchy of control

Ranked risk controls from most to least effective: eliminate, substitute, isolate, engineering, administrative, then PPE. Used to decide the safest practical control for a tiling task.

PCBU duty

A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure health and safety so far as reasonably practicable, including providing safe systems of work, training and supervision for tiling activities.

3-4-5 squaring method

A right-angle check using a triangle with sides in ratio 3:4:5. Measure 3 units along one line and 4 along the other; the diagonal must be 5 units for a true square.

Datum line

A reference line established from the longest straight wall or a set-out point, used to align tile courses and keep joints parallel and square across the floor.

Adhesive coverage floor

Minimum 90 percent of the tile back must be in contact with adhesive for floor tiles; insufficient coverage causes hollow tiles and premature failure under load.

Adhesive coverage wall

Minimum 80 percent coverage is required for wall tiles, with full coverage at edges and corners to prevent water ingress and tile detachment.

Solid bed method

A thick, continuous mortar bed applied under the tile rather than notched thin-bed adhesive. Used on uneven substrates and where high point loads are expected.

Thin-bed adhesive

A cement-based adhesive applied with a notched trowel to a thin, uniform layer, typically 3–6 mm, suitable for flat, stable substrates and most ceramic tiles.

Screed curing time

New sand-cement screed should cure at least 7 days before tiling, and longer for thick beds, to limit shrinkage and moisture that could debond tiles.

Grout joint width

The gap between tiles filled with grout. Rectified porcelain commonly 2–3 mm; pressed ceramic 3–5 mm; wider joints for quarry tiles to allow movement.

Expansion joint

A deliberate gap that allows the tiled surface to move without cracking. Placed at perimeters, changes of substrate and at intervals set by the manufacturer or standard.

Manual handling technique

Assess the load, keep it close to the body, bend knees not the back, avoid twisting, and use team lifting or mechanical aids for heavy tile boxes.

Fall prevention order

Choose controls in order: work from ground, passive prevention such as guardrails, work positioning, then fall arrest as a last resort.

PPE role

Personal protective equipment is the last line of defence. For tiling it includes safety glasses, gloves, knee pads, hearing protection and dust masks during cutting.

Dry laying

Laying tiles without adhesive to preview the layout, check joint alignment, count cut tiles and confirm the set-out before committing to the final installation.

Tile substrate preparation

Substrates must be clean, sound, dry, flat and free of dust, oil or loose material. Defective surfaces are repaired before adhesive is applied.

Waterproofing height

In wet areas, membrane is applied to floors and up walls at least 150 mm, with shower walls typically to 1800 mm or as specified by AS 3740 and the manufacturer.

Bond breaker

A compressible strip placed at wall-floor junctions and movement joints so the waterproof membrane and tiles can move independently without tearing or cracking.

Flatness tolerance check

Use a 3 m straightedge with a feeler gauge; typical acceptable deviation is 3–5 mm over 3 m. Out-of-tolerance floors need levelling compound or a screed.

Shower fall ratio

Shower floors slope to the waste at about 1:80 to 1:100. Check with a level and confirm no ponding remains after the screed sets.

Large-format tile handling

Tiles over 600 mm need back-buttering and a C2-classified adhesive, plus suction cups or a frame, to achieve full coverage and safe handling.

Movement joint spacing

Internal movement joints are typically placed at 3–4.5 m centres, at changes of substrate, at perimeters and where tiles meet other materials.

Wet saw use

A water-cooled diamond-blade saw cuts porcelain and stone accurately while suppressing dust. Use for straight cuts and mitres on hard tiles.

Score-and-snap cutter

A manual tool that scores the tile surface and snaps it along the line. Best suited to softer ceramic wall tiles, not dense porcelain.

Mosaic tiling method

Small tiles are laid with a fine-notched trowel and thin-bed adhesive, then grouted with fine grout; porous stone is sealed before grouting.

Cementitious grout

A cement-based grout for general interior and exterior joints. Mixed to a paste and packed into joints, then cleaned before it sets.

Epoxy grout

A two-part resin grout with high chemical and water resistance, used in wet areas, commercial kitchens and where hygiene and stain resistance matter.

Lippage

The height difference between adjacent tile edges. Checked with a straightedge; should not exceed about 1 mm for rectified tiles to avoid trip and appearance issues.

Hollow tile defect

A tile that sounds hollow when tapped usually has insufficient adhesive coverage or voids beneath it, and should be removed and relaid.

Tile back-buttering

Applying a thin layer of adhesive to the back of the tile in addition to the substrate, improving coverage, bond strength and reducing voids on large or dense tiles.

Notched trowel selection

Trowel notch size is matched to tile size and substrate: small notches for mosaics, larger notches (10–12 mm) for large-format floor tiles.

C2 adhesive class

A cementitious adhesive classification denoting improved bond strength, suitable for large-format and porcelain tiles in demanding internal and external applications.

Waste and dust control

Cutting and mixing generate silica dust. Use water suppression, on-tool extraction and suitable respiratory protection; dispose of tile waste responsibly.