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CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification


Recent Posts

Find the Source of the Water Leak Before Tiling

[fa icon="calendar'] June 23, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps

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Tiling over a water problem will not make the problem disappear. Rather, you need to find the source of the water leak before installing any floor surface, including tile.

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Have You Snapped a Chalk Line for Your Tile Layout?

[fa icon="calendar'] June 16, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps, Certified Tile Installer Program

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Layout is a big deal in a tile installation. Have you tried snapping a chalk line to ensure that your tile layout is successful?

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Certified Tile Installers #TransformTheTrade

[fa icon="calendar'] June 2, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF, Certified Tile Installer Program, Qualified Labor Series

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In a nutshell, tile installation certification programs transform the tile trade and industry for the better. Those programs include the Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program as well as the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT) program#TransformTheTrade   

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How Acceptable is Warped Tile?

[fa icon="calendar'] May 26, 2020 9:00:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps

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If  you think that warped tile isn't acceptable, we're here to help you  understand what is and what isn't acceptable. You see, there are two categories to consider: inherent (actual) warpage and excessive warpage.

Actual warpage is a function of the tile manufacturing process. It's something qualified tile installers and Certified Tile Installers take into consideration.

Excessive warpage may indicate a bigger issue.

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How to Deal With Tile Installation Problems?

[fa icon="calendar'] May 12, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Hiring a Tile Installer

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Perhaps you're a homeowner who is unhappy with the results of a tile job. If so, are you aware of what options you have for dealing with your tile installation problems?

Let's explore common sources of installation issues and what options you have for addressing those problems.

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Have You Considered the Tile Trade Instead of College?

[fa icon="calendar'] April 7, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in About CTEF

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College isn't for everyone. That's where the tile trade comes in. Have you considered it?

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Why Tiling an Elevator Floor May Not Be a Good Idea

[fa icon="calendar'] March 31, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps

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Perhaps tiling an elevator isn't at the top of the average homeowner's list of tile installation questions, however it is one that matters to owners, architects, designers and tile contractors involved in multi-story buildings - including residential ones - with elevators.

In this article, we specifically address a question about using tile for an elevator floor, sharing with you how Mark Heinlein CTI #1112 and Robb Roderick CTI #727 respond in their role as National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Technical Trainers. 

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Looking to Hire a Tile Installer? Here's Your Roadmap.

[fa icon="calendar'] March 17, 2020 8:30:00 AM EDT / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Hiring a Tile Installer

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So, you're ready to hire a tile installer for that stone-glass mixed mosaic decorative border that will look perfect with the large format wall tile and wood plank floor tile you selected. What are your next steps? Follow this roadmap.

We've put it together for you based on years of experience ensuring that tile gets installed correctly the first time because your tile installer is truly considered Qualified Labor.

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What's an Ideal Sustainable Building Material? Tile Of Course!

[fa icon="calendar'] March 3, 2020 8:30:00 AM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installation + Design

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Did you know that tile is an ideal sustainable building material for the home? Not only is it beautiful, practical, intensely visual and long-lasting, but it's eco-friendly, too! Talk about the perfect design solution for floors and walls especially when combined with expert installation and Certified Tile Installers.

To explain what makes tile such a natural choice, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) has developed three powerful resources - not to mention the WhyTile.com site. Let's explore them.

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What a Pyrite Wall Failure Teaches You About Proper Tile Installation

[fa icon="calendar'] February 18, 2020 8:30:00 AM EST / by CTEF Blog Team posted in Installing Tile TIps

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Here we have a pyrite wall failure. What do you think it teaches about proper tile installation?

On this blog, you read about best practices for quality tile installations and how Certified Tile Installers (CTIs) go about installing tile. You've also heard them refer to having their work taken apart and inspected as part of the CTI hands-on test.

That same approach is how Mark Heinlein CTI #1112 and Robb Roderick  CTI #727 troubleshoot tile installation issues in their role as National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Technical Trainers. In this article, they respond to a failed installation of pyrite tile on a wall.

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Certified Tile Installer Mike Corona says,

You don't become a tile installer or a business owner overnight. It takes time, enthusiasm, pride, reliability, respectfulness, a willingness to learn, and dedication. No two jobs are the same; each one has its own unique nuances. As a qualified installer, you need to be able to communicate how to deal with those nuances and qualify yourself to not only meet but exceed expectations. Being qualified will exponentially increase your value and you will have endless opportunities.

Mike Corona CTI #923 Corona Marble and Tile

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Mike Corona CTI #923
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