Alabama Hard Tile and Stone Contractor Examination

According to ANSI A137.1, porcelain tile is generally defined by which maximum water absorption percentage by weight?

• A0.5%
• B3%
• C7%
• D20%

What does a PEI wear rating primarily indicate for glazed ceramic floor tile?

• AChemical resistance of the glaze
• BResistance of the glazed surface to abrasion from foot traffic
• CBond strength of thin-set mortar
• DFreeze-thaw durability of the body

Which industry handbook is the primary reference for ceramic, glass, and stone tile installation methods in North America?

• AACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete
• BTCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation
• CNRCA Roofing Manual
• DAWS Structural Welding Code

ANSI A118 series standards primarily specify requirements for which materials used in tile work?

• AFinished ceramic tile body dimensions only
• BSetting materials, grouts, membranes, and related installation products
• CStructural steel framing for tile backer
• DPlumbing fixture dimensions in bathrooms

For ceramic tile floors over wood joist construction, TCNA commonly requires the maximum floor deflection under live load not to exceed which value?

• AL/120
• BL/240
• CL/360
• DL/960

Natural stone tile installations typically require which minimum mortar contact coverage under the stone?

• A50% in all areas
• B65% dry, 80% wet
• C80% in all areas
• D95% in dry and wet areas, with full support at edges and corners

Which mortar type is generally preferred for dense porcelain tile because of improved bond and flexibility compared with unmodified dry-set mortar?

• AUnmodified dry-set cement mortar only (ANSI A118.1)
• BPolymer-modified or improved modified cement mortar suitable for porcelain
• CGypsum plaster mixed as a thin-set
• DConstruction adhesive from a cartridge as the sole setting bed

What is the primary purpose of an uncoupling membrane under ceramic floor tile?

• ATo replace all need for perimeter movement joints
• BTo isolate tile from lateral substrate movement and reduce crack transfer
• CTo serve as the finished wearing surface without tile
• DTo eliminate the requirement for mortar coverage under each tile

On a floor plan, a room measures 12 feet by 15 feet. How many square feet of tile field area is that before waste and cuts?

• A135 sq ft
• B150 sq ft
• C180 sq ft
• D270 sq ft

A plan note calls for 12 in × 24 in rectified porcelain with a 1/8 in grout joint. What is the most important plan-reading step before ordering tile?

• AIgnore joint width because rectified tile is always butt-jointed
• BVerify layout, starting lines, and cut sizes against actual room dimensions and allowed j…
• COrder only the floor area with no waste because rectified tile needs none
• DSubstitute any PEI class without checking the specification

If a plan scale is 1/4 inch = 1 foot, a wall shown as 3 inches long on the drawing represents what actual length?

• A3 feet
• B6 feet
• C12 feet
• D24 feet

When written dimensions on a plan conflict with a scaled measurement taken with an architect’s scale, which should the installer generally follow?

• AThe scaled measurement only
• BThe written dimension, and request clarification if still ambiguous
• CAn average of both values
• DWhichever yields the least tile waste

A finish schedule lists "TCNA F113" for a dry interior floor. What does that designation primarily communicate?

• AOnly the brand of tile to buy
• BAn industry installation method for ceramic tile over a concrete slab with thin-set
• CA plumbing fixture model number
• DAn electrical conduit size

Elevation drawings for a tiled bathroom wall are most useful for determining which of the following?

• AOnly the slab thickness under the building
• BTile layout heights, accent bands, niches, and transitions relative to fixtures
• CThe steel beam sizes in the roof
• DThe electrical service amperage

A plan calls for a 3-foot-wide shower with a center drain. At a minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot from wall to drain, what is the approximate elevation drop from each long wall to the drain if the drain is 1.5 feet from each wall?

• A1/16 inch
• B1/8 inch
• C3/8 inch
• D1 inch

When a door threshold detail shows tile meeting hardwood, what should the tile contractor verify on the drawings before installation?

• AThat tile is installed over the hardwood finish
• BFinished floor elevations, underlayment build-up, and transition height so lippage and tr…
• CThat no transition strip is ever allowed
• DThat hardwood is removed under the entire room regardless of the detail

For exterior ceramic tile installations, ANSI/TCNA mortar coverage requirements are generally which minimum average contact?

• A50%
• B65%
• C80%
• D95%

Why is low-absorption porcelain often preferred over non-vitreous ceramic tile for exterior paving in freeze-thaw climates?

• APorcelain always eliminates the need for a slope
• BLower water absorption reduces freeze-thaw damage risk when the assembly drains and is pr…
• CNon-vitreous tile cannot be manufactured in large formats
• DPorcelain never needs movement joints outdoors

Exterior tile decks and walkways should generally be installed with which drainage characteristic?

• ADead-level surface so water stands for curing
• BPositive slope to drains or edges so water does not pond on the tile assembly
• CReverse slope toward the building wall
• DNo slope if a sealer is applied

Compared with interior floors, exterior tile movement joints are typically:

• ANot required if porcelain is used
• BSpaced more closely because temperature and moisture swings are greater
• COmitted at the perimeter only
• DFilled with rigid epoxy only

What is a primary reason to avoid installing exterior tile when substrate and air temperatures are below the thin-set manufacturer’s stated minimum?

• AMortar may not hydrate or bond properly and can fail
• BTile always shrinks permanently in cold weather
• CGrout color automatically lightens only in cold weather
• DMovement joints become unnecessary below freezing

For exterior bonded tile on a concrete slab, which substrate condition is most critical before setting tile?

• AThe slab must be painted with oil-based enamel
• BThe slab must be clean, sound, properly cured, and free of bond breakers, with correct sl…
• CThe slab must be continually wet and muddy
• DThe slab must be covered with loose sand as a slip sheet under all exterior tile

Why are exterior wall tile systems often detailed with drainage planes or rainscreen concepts behind the tile assembly?

• ATo trap water permanently against the sheathing
• BTo allow incidental moisture that enters the cladding to drain and dry without damaging t…
• CTo eliminate flashings at openings
• DTo replace structural sheathing

Which practice best reduces hollow spots and freeze-related failures in exterior large-format tile?

• ASpot-bonding with five dabs of mortar only
• BKeying mortar, full trowel ridges, and back-buttering to achieve continuous high coverage
• CSetting tile in dry powder thin-set without water
• DLeaving intentional voids at all corners for drainage through the bond coat

What is the preferred method for cutting dense porcelain tile on a jobsite when controlling respirable crystalline silica?

• ADry cutting with an abrasive blade and no dust controls
• BWet cutting with a continuous water-fed saw or other Table 1-compliant method
• CBreaking tile by hand with a hammer only
• DBurning cut lines with a torch

When drilling holes in ceramic or porcelain tile for fixtures, which practice best reduces cracking?

• AUse a masonry/glass/tile bit, start slowly, keep the bit cool, and avoid hammer mode on t…
• BAlways use full hammer-drill percussion from the first contact
• CPunch the hole with a cold chisel only
• DOverheat the tile with a torch before drilling

Why should a continuous-rim diamond wet saw blade generally be preferred over a segmented masonry blade when cutting finish porcelain for visible edges?

• ASegmented blades always cut faster and smoother on porcelain face edges
• BContinuous-rim blades typically produce cleaner, less chipped cut edges suitable for expo…
• CDiamond blades cannot cut porcelain
• DWet saws cannot use continuous-rim blades

Before making a critical cut on expensive large-format porcelain, what quality-control step is most appropriate?

• ASkip measuring and cut freehand to save time
• BConfirm measurements twice, mark the finish face correctly, and make a test cut on scrap…
• CAlways cut first and measure the opening afterward
• DHeat the tile until it is soft enough to knife-cut

For interior dry ceramic floor tile, ANSI A108 generally requires what minimum average mortar coverage?

• A50%
• B65%
• C80%
• D100% with zero allowable voids ever

What is the main purpose of back-buttering a large-format floor tile in addition to troweling mortar on the substrate?

• ATo reduce the need for any grout joints
• BTo improve contact coverage and fill minor tile back irregularities
• CTo waterproof the face of the tile
• DTo eliminate substrate preparation

Before setting tile on a concrete slab, which contaminant is most likely to cause bond failure if left in place?

• AA light dampness within manufacturer limits
• BCuring compound, oil, paint, or loose laitance acting as a bond breaker
• CSlightly roughened concrete texture
• DA clean, dry, cured slab surface

Why should cementitious thin-set mortar be mixed to a creamy, trowelable consistency rather than a dry, crumbly mix?

• ADry crumbly mixes always develop higher strength
• BCorrect water content allows proper hydration, transfer, and coverage under the tile
• CExtra-dry mixes eliminate open time concerns forever
• DWater content does not affect mortar performance

What does “open time” or “skinning” refer to when setting tile in thin-set mortar?

• AThe time until grout may be sealed
• BThe period after troweling during which the mortar surface remains wet enough to transfer…
• CThe time required for the building to be occupied
• DThe life of a diamond blade

Which substrate condition is unacceptable for installing ceramic floor tile?

• APlywood subfloor meeting TCNA thickness and deflection requirements for the selected meth…
• BStructurally sound concrete within flatness tolerances after prep
• CA springy subfloor that deflects more than the tile method allows
• DA cementitious self-leveling underlayment installed per manufacturer instructions

What is the primary purpose of a perimeter movement (soft) joint where tile meets a wall or restraining surface?

• ATo hide poor cuts only
• BTo allow differential movement so the field is not locked hard against restraints
• CTo increase mortar coverage under the first course
• DTo replace waterproofing membranes

When setting wall tile, why are spacers or consistent jointing methods used?

• ATo eliminate the need for leveling the substrate
• BTo maintain uniform grout joint widths and alignment for a professional layout
• CTo replace thin-set mortar
• DTo allow tiles to touch tightly with zero joint everywhere

Which statement about grouting newly set cement mortar tile installations is correct?

• AGrout immediately while thin-set is still wet and plastic
• BAllow thin-set to firm/cure per manufacturer directions so tiles do not shift during grou…
• CGrout is never required if joints are under 1/4 inch
• DAlways use pure Portland cement powder without mixing liquid

What is lippage in a tile installation?

• AThe height difference between edges of adjacent tiles
• BThe color variation within a dye lot
• CThe water absorption of porcelain
• DThe open time of thin-set mortar

For glass tile, which setting material practice is commonly recommended to avoid visible discoloration or bond issues?

• AUse dark gray thin-set exclusively under translucent glass regardless of appearance
• BUse a white, polymer-modified thin-set or manufacturer-specified glass-tile mortar and fu…
• CSet glass tile in pure dry sand
• DUse only unfinished drywall compound as adhesive

Which flatness issue most often causes lippage and hollow spots with large-format floor tile?

• AA substrate that is within manufacturer flatness tolerances
• BA substrate with significant humps, valleys, or abrupt irregularities relative to the til…
• CUsing a larger notched trowel as specified for the tile
• DBack-buttering the tile

What is the best action if thin-set mortar has begun to skin over before tiles are embedded?

• APress tiles into the skinned mortar harder without changing anything
• BRemove the skinned mortar and apply fresh mortar, or comb new material only if the produc…
• CSprinkle dry powder on the skin to absorb it
• DAdd a thick layer of grout under the tile instead

Directional troweling of thin-set mortar (parallel ridges) is recommended primarily to:

• ACreate decorative patterns that remain under the tile forever as voids
• BAllow air to escape as the tile is set and improve uniform collapse of ridges for coverage
• CReduce the amount of mortar needed below manufacturer guidance
• DEliminate the need to beat-in or press the tile

Crack-isolation membranes are used under tile primarily to:

• AIncrease the structural live-load capacity of joists beyond design
• BReduce telegraphing of minor substrate cracks into the tile finish
• CReplace all expansion joints in the building structure
• DAct as the only waterproofing needed on every exterior deck

Which grout type is often selected for high-stain or high-chemical-exposure areas when cement grout performance is insufficient?

• AJob-mixed dirt and sand
• BEpoxy grout conforming to ANSI A118.3, installed per manufacturer instructions
• CDrywall joint compound
• DUnmodified thin-set mortar used as grout without evaluation

When installing tile over an existing vinyl floor, what is the most important first determination?

• AThat the vinyl is always an acceptable substrate without inspection
• BWhether the existing floor is sound, well bonded, free of cushion backer issues, and acce…
• CThat all vinyl must remain because tile can hide any failure
• DThat peeling vinyl improves mechanical key for thin-set

What is the correct general sequence for a thin-set floor tile installation on a prepared slab?

• AGrout first, then set tile, then apply thin-set
• BVerify layout and substrate, apply mortar, set and align tile, allow cure, then grout and…
• CSeal the tile face, then butter only the face with thin-set
• DInstall movement joint sealant under every tile before mortar

Why is white thin-set often specified under light-colored natural stone such as marble?

• AWhite thin-set is always stronger than gray
• BGray mortar can telegraph as shadowing or discoloration through light, translucent stone
• CMarble cannot bond to gray cement under any condition
• DWhite thin-set eliminates the need to seal stone