Tilesetter means a person who prepares bases, including waterproof membranes, metal lath and fasteners, back-up materials pertaining to tile, mixing and use of cement motars. Applies a variety of tile including: vitreous, quarry, ceramic, terrazzo, quartzite, glass, ceramic veneer, granite, slate, brick pavers, thin bricks and marble to walls, floors and ceilings, fire places, steam rooms, arches, swimming pools, circular walls and stairways, and other such work as performed by a journeyperson Tilesetter. Tilesetter is a nationally designated trade under the Inter-provincial Red Seal program. (Find out about Red Seal in the Trades Lingo section.)

What do these workers do?
(Source: BC Work Futures)

Tilesetter is part of a broader trade category of Masonry and Plastering Trades. All of these workers prepare surfaces to be covered, including placing openings or special fasteners. They mix ingredients, such as mortar, cement, grout, plaster or stucco, install coverings according to plans and finish surfaces as required.

Read blueprints and work plans. Workers in these occupations must read and understand the blueprints that give instructions for siting and covering walls. Materials are usually specified.

Move and carry materials. All three occupations require workers to carry and place large quantities of materials. Access to work sites can be tricky because the work might be done in unfinished buildings where conveniences such as stairs may not be built yet.

Mix and prepare finishing compounds. Workers in all three of these occupations must prepare fillers, plasters, glues and finishing compounds. The ratio of mixed ingredients requires knowledge of how various mixes respond to climate, vibration and seasonal changes. In some cases, though, you would simply open a can of finish to complete the job.

Make surfaces fair and true. Forming true and flat walls is a major responsibility of these three occupations. Workers must be able to work quickly, yet still produce high-quality results.

Read the full Tilesetter profile (60Kb pdf)

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