Lesson 1Adhesive curing times, open time, pot life and temperature/humidity effectsThis section explains adhesive curing behaviour, including open time, pot life, and adjustment time, and how temperature, humidity, and substrate absorption affect workability, bond strength, and safe time to grout or use the area.
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 revealsThis section focuses on waterproofing details at shower corners, floor-to-wall junctions, and window or door reveals, including preformed accessories, reinforcement fabrics, and sequencing with drains and thresholds.
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 resistanceThis section compares cementitious and epoxy grouts, including additives for wet areas, stain resistance, and flexibility, and explains how to select joint widths, colours, and performance levels for showers and high-use 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 fixingsThis section details wall backer options for wet areas, including cement boards and water-resistant gypsum boards, with guidance on framing, fixings, joint treatment, and integration with waterproofing and tile adhesive 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 limitsThis section covers tile selection for wet areas, including ceramic tile characteristics, rectified versus non-rectified edges, deformation limits, slip resistance, and how these factors affect layout, joints, and durability.
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 eachThis section compares cementitious, liquid-applied, and sheet waterproofing membranes, explaining where each system works best, how to detail transitions, and how to avoid common failures in wet area tiling projects.
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 typesThis section links recommended tools and consumables to chosen materials, covering notched trowels, mixing paddles, membrane tools, grout floats, and how correct selection improves coverage, adhesion, and finish quality.
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 criteriaThis section covers polymer-modified cementitious thinset types for interior wet areas, explaining performance classes, substrate and tile considerations, and how to match adhesive properties to project and site conditions.
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 groutThis section explains movement and perimeter joints in wet areas, including joint placement, recommended elastomeric sealants, compatibility with tiles and grouts, and correct preparation and finishing techniques.
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 jointsThis section covers tile spacers and joint size choices, comparing typical 2 mm wall and 3 mm floor joints, and explains how joint width affects movement joints, grout performance, aesthetics, and installation tolerances.
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)This section explains primers and bonding agents for different substrates, including concrete, gypsum, and existing tile, focusing on compatibility with adhesives and membranes, moisture issues, and correct surface preparation steps.
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
