Lesson 1Adhesive curing times, open time, pot life and temperature/humidity effectsUnderstand glue setting, open time, bucket life, adjustment, and how heat, damp, base soak affect work, strength, grout wait in local weather.
Definitions: curing, open time, pot life, adjustabilityReading climate icons and timing on data sheetsEffects of temperature, humidity, and draftsSubstrate absorption and membrane influenceField checks for skinning and ready-to-grout timeLesson 2Waterproofing details for shower corners, floor-to-wall junctions, and window/door revealsDetail damp-proofing at shower angles, floor-wall joins, window/door edges with ready bits, fabrics, sequencing drains, sills.
Preformed corners, bands, and sealing tapesFloor-to-wall junction buildup and overlapsDetailing around windows, niches, and revealsIntegrating drains, thresholds, and curbsLeak testing and inspection before tilingLesson 3Grout types and selection: cementitious grout, epoxy grout, additives for wet areas and stain resistanceCompare cement and epoxy fillers, wet-area adds, stain fight, flex. Pick gap sizes, shades, strength for showers, busy wet rooms.
Cementitious grout classes and water resistanceEpoxy grout: benefits, limits, and applicationsAdditives for flexibility, stain and mold resistanceJoint width, color choice, and visual impactCleaning, sealing, and maintenance expectationsLesson 4Backer boards and support systems for walls: cement board, water-resistant gypsum board and fixingsWall backings for wet spots: cement boards, damp-proof gypsum, framing, screws, joints, with damp-proof and glue systems.
Cement board types, thickness, and applicationsWater-resistant gypsum board: limits and usesFasteners, screw spacing, and framing stiffnessJoint taping, seams, and movement allowancesTransition details to masonry and existing wallsLesson 5Tile selection fundamentals: ceramic tile characteristics, rectified vs non-rectified, tile deformation limitsPick tiles for wet areas: traits, cut vs uncut edges, bend limits, grip, impacting layout, gaps, lasting.
Tile water absorption and suitability ratingsRectified vs non-rectified: pros, cons, tolerancesTile flatness, warpage, and deformation limitsSlip resistance ratings for floors and showersTile size, pattern, and substrate flatness needsLesson 6Waterproofing systems: cementitious, liquid-applied membranes, sheet membranes — where and why to use eachCompare cement, liquid, sheet damp-proofs: best spots, joins, avoid fails in wet tiling.
Cementitious membranes: uses, limits, key detailsLiquid-applied membranes: build, coverage, defectsSheet membranes: overlaps, corners, penetrationsChoosing systems for showers, tubs, and wet roomsCompatibility with substrates, adhesives, and groutsLesson 7Recommended tools and consumables tied to materials: notched trowels, mixing paddles, membrane materials, grout float typesTools matched to materials: notched spreaders, mixers, membrane gear, filler spreaders for better spread, stick, finish.
Selecting notch size for tile and adhesive typeMixing paddles, drill speeds, and bucket choiceRollers, brushes, and knives for membranesGrout floats for cement and epoxy productsSponges, cleaning tools, and protection filmsLesson 8Adhesive selection for interior wet areas: cementitious polymer-modified thinset types and selection criteriaPolymer cement thin glues for inside wet: classes, base/tile fits, match to job, site.
Thinset classifications and performance ratingsSelecting adhesives for ceramic and porcelain tilesMatching adhesive to substrate and waterproofingSlip resistance, deformability, and vertical workManufacturer data sheets and approval checksLesson 9Movement and perimeter joints: recommended elastomeric sealants and compatibility with tiles and groutMovement, edge gaps in wet: place, flex sealants, tile/filler match, prep, finish.
Types of movement joints and where to place themPerimeter joints at walls, columns, and fixturesSealant types: silicone, hybrid, and PUJoint backing, bond breakers, and joint depthColor matching and finishing visible sealantLesson 10Tile spacers and joint size considerations: 2 mm walls vs 3 mm floors — implications for movement jointsSpacers, gap choices: 2mm walls, 3mm floors, effects on movement gaps, filler work, looks, fits.
Choosing spacer types and sizes for wet areasJoint width vs tile size, edge, and flatnessImpact of joint size on grout cleaning and cracksCoordinating joint layout with movement jointsAdapting joint size to site and substrate limitsLesson 11Primers, bonding agents, and compatibility with different substrates (gypsum, old tile, concrete)Primers, bonds for bases like concrete, gypsum, old tiles: glue/membrane match, damp, prep.
Primer types: acrylic, epoxy, and specializedPriming concrete, screeds, and leveling compoundsTreating gypsum plasters and boards before tilingBonding to existing tile and non-porous surfacesAvoiding incompatibility, re-emulsification, failure
