Red Seal Tilesetter study plan

Build a one-page reference table of tile types (ceramic, porcelain, glass, natural stone) listing water absorption, PEI/Mohs wear rating, and recommended adhesive class for each

List the 8 most common substrates (concrete slab, cured mortar bed, cement backer board, gypsum board, plywood, existing tile, waterproof membrane, heated floor) and record the deflection, flatness, and moisture criteria each must meet before tile is set

Demonstrate and describe the water-absorption test on a porcelain and a ceramic sample and explain how the result drives adhesive and grout selection

Calculate adhesive coverage and open-time limits for 3 given trowel sizes and explain how notch depth relates to tile size and substrate flatness

Sequence the steps for installing a cement backer board over a wood subfloor, including thinset embedment, fastener spacing, and joint treatment

Describe the procedure for applying a liquid waterproofing membrane and state the required thickness, cure time, and flood-test method for a shower pan

Explain how to assess and correct substrate flatness using a 3 m straightedge and identify when self-levelling underlayment is appropriate

Differentiate between uncoupling, crack-isolation, and waterproofing membranes and select the correct one for 4 described site conditions

Set out a square reference line in a room using the 3-4-5 method and explain how to verify squareness by measuring diagonals

Calculate tile quantities, waste allowance, and layout centring for 3 floor plans including one with a diagonal layout

Describe how to plan cuts so that no cut tile is narrower than half a full tile at perimeters and doorways

Lay out a running-bond and a herringbone pattern on paper at scale and mark the starting point and control lines for each

Explain how to transfer layout lines to walls for a tub surround, including level ledger placement and vertical alignment with floor joints

Describe dry-laying and pattern-matching procedures for large-format tile and stone with vein direction and shade variation

Identify the tools used to cut porcelain, glass, and natural stone and match each material to the correct blade or cutter type

Plan the layout around a drain and a niche in a shower, keeping full tiles at the most visible edges

Demonstrate the back-buttering and keying-in technique for large-format tile and state the minimum required coverage percentage for wet and dry areas

Describe the installation sequence for mosaic sheets on a shower floor, including slope to drain, mesh orientation, and joint alignment

Explain the safe handling and cutting of glass tile, including the adhesive type and the risk of shadowing and lippage

List the personal protective equipment and site practices required when cutting silica-containing tile and stone, including wet-cutting and dust control

Describe how to install a stone threshold and a tile-to-carpet transition

Select the correct grout type (cementitious sanded, unsanded, epoxy, high-performance) for 5 given tile and application scenarios and justify each choice

Describe the grouting procedure for porous stone and glass tile, including pre-sealing, release time, and cleanup to avoid haze

Explain how to apply sealant to movement joints, changes of plane, and penetrations, and state where grout must not be used

Sequence the final cleaning and sealing steps for a completed floor and a wet area, including cure times before sealing

Diagnose 5 described failures (lippage, efflorescence, hollow tiles, cracked grout, delamination) and trace each to its root cause and repair method

Describe how to remove and replace a single damaged tile without damaging adjacent tiles or the waterproofing

Explain how to document a deficiency and write a short repair scope for a punch-list item

State the warranty, curing, and protection requirements that must be met before handover of a tiled floor

Complete a full timed practice exam under exam conditions and score it by domain

Re-study the two lowest-scoring domains using the notes and matrices built in weeks 1-7

Recite from memory the key tolerances: substrate flatness, adhesive coverage, joint width, and cure times

Build a one-page formula and reference sheet for quantities, layout, and setting-out calculations