4 Week Tiling Course
This course is ideal for people with little or no experience of tiling
or those wishing to
complement other skills already gained. Our four week tiling course
offers the student
the knowledge needed to be able to tackle any tiling project. Upon
completion of the
course you will have gained the necessary competence and confidence to
enter the
work place as a tiler and will then be able to quickly build up the
experience that will
set you on the road to becoming a skilled craftsman.
This course also covers under floor heating using DVD with all questions
answered.
Week One
What will I learn?
The following issues will be addressed in tutor-led discussions:
Introduction to the tools of the trade
You will be shown the tools required for the job and given an overview
of what each
tool is for, when it is used and its correct usage. Some time is spent
on the care and
maintenance of tools. You will also review the most commonly used
adhesives. Your
tutor will finish off with a discussion on the good and bad habits which
tilers pick up.
Health and Safety
Consisting of a brief background of the Health and Safety legislation
relevant to you.
Getting Started
The importance of setting out a quote: principles involved, tips and
good practice,
cleanliness, and dealing with difficult customers. The emphasis will be
on cost of
materials, suppliers and dealing with other trades in the context of how
to measure
and price your job and estimate costs. Finally, there will be a brief
theory test on
marking out and measuring areas to be tiled.
What about getting the job done?
Throughout the programme you will gain practical experience on how to
tile around
common kitchen and bathroom fixtures and how to deal with common
pitfalls such as
uneven walls, pipes and sockets. The tutor will begin with a
demonstration on how to
use the tools including: cutting, marking out, and nibbling.
You will gain experience in the following:-
preparing a safe working area and following safe working practices
identify any hazards and how you would rectify them
checking for poor or uneven surfaces
selecting and using appropriate tools and equipment to prepare a
straight run for tiling
selecting and applying the appropriate adhesive and grouting
cleaning tiles after fixing and grouting
Throughout the course you will be encouraged to take photographs of your
work. On
each project you will be expected to plan the layout and measure for the
tiles to be
used, and then provide the estimate of what you determine will be
required to
complete the job. On completion you will be assessed to determine if you
are within
your estimate. Remember time is money and waste means lack of profit.
Week 2
Building on what you learn during your first week, you will go straight
into further
preparation of walls for tiling.
You will continue practicing the application of the practical knowledge
on wall tiling.
In addition there will be further work on:
marking and cutting tiles to fit around obstacles such as wash basins,
sockets, W.C's
and baths
select and mix grout according to instructions and apply to tiled area
using correct
tools and following correct procedures
clean off surplus grout with sponge
Your two week session will finish with a de-brief with your tutor who
will conduct a
question and answer session with students to recap the two weeks of
training.
The aim of this course is to teach you the basics elements of tiling for
use on your
own home or to add on to another skill which you already have.
Week 3
You will develop your skills further with wall tiling during week three.
An important
skill you will learn is setting up a datum line using different methods.
You will be
expected to mark out the gauge rod, prepare a wall area for tiling, make
sure wall area
is sound and remove all obstacles where necessary.
Developing your wall tiling skills
Additional practical experience will include:
fixing battens to wall area around room to begin first full course of
tiles
making sure cuts are equal around wall areas- remember to practice
cleanliness of
work area.
fixing tiles to wall areas in bathroom and kitchen areas, grout tiles,
and remove
surplus grout before set is complete.
Using theory the instructor will lead a discussion on:
working with Quarry tiles (Limestone, Marble, Mosaics)
pattern tiling and borders with octagonal patterns and wavy edge tiles
Week 4
In week four, if you are comfortable with your progress on wall tiling
you can
progress to the floor. Floor tiling can be significantly more difficult
than the wall
work so the level of skill required is greatly increased.
You will commence with the selection of correct adhesives and grout for
floor tiling
and throughout learn how to use materials economically.
Preparing the Floor
make sure floor area is dry, sound, and dust free
clear area where possible
find centre of floor and lay floor adhesive using correct tools
lay to straight line and continue across floor area (make sure floor is
flat and tiles are
spaced evenly - use spacers when necessary)
make sure there are no raised edges
leave floor to set
Grouting the Floor
check grout consistency before using and make sure you have enough for
the job
practice measuring and marking out around pedestal and WC
use tile saw and hand cutting and nibbling tools to deliver the required
shape.
demonstrate cutting and shaping
Finally to help you along your way:
Tips on running a successful business
For those of you who will be looking to start up your own business this
will be a
useful introduction to topics such as tax, VAT, getting an accountant,
registration of
your business with Inland Revenue and opening a business bank account.
It will also
give an introduction to marketing opportunities such as local papers,
stores' notice
boards, vehicle signage, sign boards outside current job sites.
Your success depends on your reputation which is based on cleanliness,
quoting
correctly, and giving reasonable estimates for the time the job will
take.
What you need to bring
You will be required to bring steel-capped boots or shoes and overalls.
All tools and
other material will be provided for the duration of the course. Safety
goggles will be
made available for your use.
