Tile and stone setters apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.

  • Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
  • Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural, and floor designs.
  • Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.
  • Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.
  • Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints.
  • Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge.
  • Cut, surface, polish, and install marble and granite or install pre-cast terrazzo, granite or marble units.
  • Mix, apply, and spread plaster, concrete, mortar, cement, mastic, glue or other adhesives to form a bed for the tiles, using brush, trowel and screed.
  • Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with trowel handle to affix tile to base.
  • Level concrete and allow to dry.
  • Prepare surfaces for tiling by attaching lath or waterproof paper, or by applying a cement mortar coat to a metal screen.
  • Mix and apply mortar or cement to edges and ends of drain tiles to seal halves and joints.
  • Remove and replace cracked or damaged tile.
  • Apply a sealer to make grout stain- and water-resistant.
  • Remove any old tile, grout and adhesive using chisels and scrapers and clean the surface carefully.
  • Prepare cost and labor estimates, based on calculations of time and materials needed for project.
  • Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed.
  • Spread mastic or other adhesive base on roof deck to form base for promenade tile, using serrated spreader.
  • Cut tile backing to required size, using shears.
  • Install and anchor fixtures in designated positions, using hand tools.
  • Assist customers in selection of tile and grout.
  • Select and order tile and other items to be installed, such as bathroom accessories, walls, panels, and cabinets, according to specifications.
  • Measure and cut metal lath to size for walls and ceilings, using tin snips.
  • Build underbeds and install anchor bolts, wires, and brackets.
  • Brush glue onto manila paper on which design has been drawn and position tiles, finished side down, onto paper.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Align masonry materials.
  • Determine construction project layouts.
  • Cut tile, stone, or other masonry materials.
  • Remove excess materials from finished construction projects.
  • Install masonry materials.
  • Apply adhesives to construction materials.
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Knowledge

Building and Construction
  • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination
  • Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Abilities

Visualization
  • The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Extent Flexibility
  • The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Trunk Strength
  • The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • TileGem Hot Technology
  • EasyCAD Iris 2D Hot Technology
Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Salesforce software Hot Technology
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
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