Tile Setting NC II key terms

Gear worn to reduce injury risk on site, such as safety goggles, dust mask, gloves, knee pads, and non-slip safety shoes. It supplements, but never replaces, safe work practices and correct tool use.

A workplace organization method using sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain to keep the work area clean, safe, and efficient. In tiling it covers clearing offcuts, cleaning tools, and storing materials properly.

Separating waste into categories such as tile offcuts, cement bags, plastic, and hazardous residues so each can be disposed of or recycled correctly. It keeps the site tidy and reduces environmental harm.

Methods used to limit exposure to fine crystalline silica released when cutting or grinding tile and concrete, including wet cutting, dust extraction, and respirators. Uncontrolled exposure can cause serious lung disease.

A short briefing held before work starts to review the day's tasks, hazards, controls, and responsibilities. It gives workers a chance to raise safety concerns and confirm instructions before proceeding.

A written or verbal directive describing how a specific task must be carried out, including sequence, materials, and safety controls. Workers must confirm they understand it and ask questions when anything is unclear.

The process of spotting conditions or actions that could cause harm, such as trailing cables, unstable stacks, or wet floors, before work begins. Identified hazards are then controlled or reported.

A list specifying each material required for a job, with quantity and description, such as tiles, adhesive, grout, and spacers. It is used to requisition, check deliveries, and control waste.

A detailed drawing that shows dimensions, levels, setting-out lines, and construction details needed to build the work. Tilers use it to locate tile layouts, expansion joints, and finishes.

The ratio between a dimension on a drawing and the real dimension it represents, for example 1:50. Reading the scale correctly is essential before taking any measurement from a plan.

Marking reference lines, levels, and starting points on the substrate so tiles are laid in the correct position and pattern. Good setting-out balances cut tiles at edges and keeps joints aligned.

A fixed reference line or level from which other measurements are taken, often marked on walls or floors. All heights and setting-out lines on the job should relate back to it.

A drawing showing the intended arrangement of tiles, including starting point, pattern, joint width, and position of cuts and features. It guides setting-out and helps avoid awkward small cuts.

A tool with sealed vials containing liquid and an air bubble, used to check whether a surface is horizontal or vertical. Tilers use long levels to check flatness and to transfer levels across a room.

A trowel with square or round teeth that spreads adhesive in parallel ribs of controlled depth. The notch size must suit the tile size and substrate to give proper coverage.

A powered saw with a water-cooled diamond blade used to cut tiles accurately while suppressing dust. The water tray must be kept filled and the blade checked for damage before use.

A hand tool with hardened jaws used to nibble small pieces from a tile edge for curved or irregular cuts. It is suited to small trims rather than long straight cuts.

A cylindrical diamond-coated bit used to drill clean holes through tile for pipes and fittings. It needs a pilot guide and steady water cooling to prevent cracking or overheating.

The surface onto which tiles are fixed, such as screed, render, plasterboard, or existing tile. It must be sound, clean, flat, and suitable for the chosen adhesive.

A liquid applied to a substrate before tiling to control absorption, improve adhesion, and bind dust. The correct primer type depends on whether the surface is porous, sealed, or gypsum-based.

A cement-based or ready-mixed adhesive applied in a thin bed, typically 3 to 6 mm, to bond tiles to the substrate. It is spread with a notched trowel and combed into ribs.

The proportion of the tile back actually in contact with adhesive, expressed as a percentage. Higher coverage is required in wet areas and for large-format tiles to prevent debonding.

Spreading a thin layer of adhesive directly onto the back of a tile before fixing. It improves contact and bond, especially for large tiles, textured backs, or demanding locations.

The period after spreading adhesive during which it still wets the tile and forms a proper bond. Adhesive that has skinned over must be removed and replaced, not reused.

A small plastic or wedge device placed between tiles to keep joints an even width while adhesive sets. Spacers are removed before grouting, or left in place if designed to remain.

The arrangement in which tiles are laid, such as stack, running, herringbone, or basket weave. The pattern affects setting-out, waste, and the number of cut tiles required.

A tile with a large face area, commonly 600 mm or more on one side, which is heavy and less tolerant of uneven substrates. It usually needs full coverage, back-buttering, and two-person handling.

A step or height difference between the surfaces of adjacent tiles at a joint. It is caused by uneven substrate, poor adhesive coverage, or careless bedding, and is checked with a straightedge.

A production run of tiles made at one time, which may vary slightly in shade and size from other runs. Tiles from different batches should not be mixed on the same visible area.

The gap left between fixed tiles that is later filled with grout. Its width depends on tile type and location, and must be consistent to give a neat, durable finish.

Forcing grout into the joints between set tiles and finishing it flush or slightly recessed. It seals joints against water and dirt and must be done after adhesive has fully cured.

A flexible mastic used to fill movement joints and junctions between tile and other materials. It accommodates movement that rigid grout cannot, preventing cracking and water ingress.

A deliberate gap in the tiling that allows the structure and tiles to expand and contract without cracking. It is filled with a flexible sealant rather than rigid grout.

A white powdery deposit on the surface of grout or tile caused by soluble salts migrating to the surface as moisture evaporates. It is usually removed with a suitable cleaner once dry.

A tile that sounds hollow when tapped because adhesive coverage beneath it is incomplete. Hollow tiles are a defect and must be lifted and re-fixed before grouting.

The process of correcting defective work, such as replacing hollow or lipped tiles, re-grouting failed joints, or redoing incorrect setting-out. It should follow an agreed method and be re-inspected afterwards.

Allowing adhesive, grout, or screed to harden and gain strength under suitable conditions before traffic or further work. Rushing curing causes weak bonds, cracked grout, and callbacks.