Career guide

Tiler: career guide and training

As a tiler you lay tiles, faience and decorative stone on floors and walls, always working to the safety rules.

What will you do?

Whether you work as a floor layer, a tile setter or a mosaic worker, you set up the site, prepare the work and remove any existing covering. You level and repair the surface, define the alignment of the covering, prepare the setting materials and lay and grout the tiles neatly. Cleaning up the site at the end and working safely and with respect for the environment complete the job.

  • Set up the site and prepare the work
  • Remove any existing covering
  • Level and repair the setting surface
  • Define the alignment of the covering
  • Prepare the setting materials
  • Lay and grout the tiles
  • Clean up the site and work safely

Skills to develop

  • Practical knowledge of tiling and grouting techniques
  • A precise eye for alignment, level and pattern
  • Physical fitness for kneeling, lifting and site work
  • Care in surface preparation and finishing
  • A safety and environment conscious way of working

Your foundation for this occupation

Read layouts and assess substrate flatness, strength and moisture. Tile size and room use influence the selected build-up.

From preparation to your first day

  1. Develop the practical skills

    Make a trial area through setting out, adhesive application and grouting. Practise cut-tile distribution and corner and penetration details.

  2. Check your work

    Check flatness, joint width and movement-joint connections. Follow specified waterproofing details in wet areas before tiling.

How can you grow?

Specialise in large formats, mosaics or renovation before taking on measurement and site coordination.

Frequently asked questions

Does grout automatically waterproof a shower?

No. Waterproofing depends on a suitable system with correct junctions. Tiles and grout alone do not replace the underlying waterproof layer.

Sources and training

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