<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=2223002471257760&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">

CTEF Blog - About Tile Education and Installer Certification

How To Cut Tile and Manage Time (Video)

[fa icon="calendar"] May 19, 2020 8:30:00 AM / by CTEF Blog Team

CTEF Blog Team

Time-Management-Tile-Tip

When you cut tile for an installation project, how much do you think about time management?

If you're a professional, chances are that you constantly think about how to manage your time. After all, your time is money. How well you make use of that time affects how long it takes you to complete tile installations, the quality of your work, and how many client projects you can commit to.

This is true even when you cut tile.

How You Cut Tile Takes Time

So let's go deeper on cutting tile.

Time management matters in the tile industry so installers can be more efficient and also do high-quality work. At the same time, it's an issue and it crops up repeatedly during the hands-on portion of the Certified Tile Installer program test.

In fact, it's such an issue that you'll find a full section on Time Management in the Become a Certified Tile Installer Training Videos!

>> See the Time Management Chapter Video (7 minutes)

As Scott Carothers explains in the video below, cutting tile is a staple of what tile installers do.  Installers have options for cutting tile and knowing which is most time efficient is a big deal especially in time-constrained situations.

Which Option for Cutting Tile is Better?

Given the following two instruments, which do you consider better from a time perspective for cutting tile:

  • A wet saw
  • A snap cutter

Both devices do the job.

Both have a cutting guide so you can make repetitive cuts.

1. The Wet Saw

To use a wet saw, you will want to get suited up with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like glasses and ear protection.

Once you cut the tile on the wet saw, you'll need to place it in a drying rack so it can air dry.

Or, you can take a cloth to dry the face of the tile. 

Ideally, you'll also need to wipe the back of the tile off to get that moisture away from the tile surface because that's a bond breaker.

Wet Saw Time Tally: 1 minute plus

As Scott demonstrates in the video below, cutting the tile, adding protective gear and wiping down the tile takes about 30 seconds.

To use the wet saw, you need to leave your workstation (or CTI module during the test). That's approximately 15 seconds over to the wet saw, and 15 seconds back for a total of 30 seconds.

If there's a wait for the wet saw, that's more lost time standing in line.

2. The Snapper

The snap cutter, on the other hand, can be right next to you at your work station. That means no back and forth away from your work.

Snapper Time Tally: 4 to 5 seconds

The snapper itself takes four to five seconds to cut the tile.

Do the Math on Cutting Tile

Take this example just a bit farther to the entire installation project.

In the one minute on the wet saw, you can cut 12-times as many tiles with the snap cutter without leaving your knees.

You're still at your work area where you're making your cuts and saved considerable time.

That's just one example that Scott shares with you in this Time Management #TileTip video:

How Do You Cut Tile?

As a tile installer, everything you do is about time management. If you can do your installation faster with equal or better quality, you're in a better position. That's true when cutting tile.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the hands-on test for the Certified Tile Installer program places a great deal of attention on time management and how you plan out the various elements of your installation. 

>> See Grading the Toughest 25 Square Feet of Tile You'll Ever Install (Video)

What have you found helps you save time? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

Learn More About Becoming a Certified Tile Installer Click Here to Download the CTI Kit. 

Topics: Installing Tile TIps

Subscribe to Email Updates

Prevent Problems: Read the Homeowner's Guide  to Hiring a Qualified Tile Installer
Donate Now!

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

[fa icon="quote-right"]
Mike Corona CTI #923
Click Here to Volunteer

Blogs Written By CTEF Sponsors & Friends

The Coverings Blog

Crossville's Latest News and Views

Daltile's Trend Hub

Joseph Lundgren Consulting In the News Blog

MAPEI's Tech Talk Blog

Neuse Tile Services Blog

TEC Specialty's Expert Advice

Explore Beautiful Tile Installations  Created by  Certified Tile Installers