Cement Masons and Terrazzo Workers
Cement masons pour, smooth, and finish concrete floors, sidewalks, roads, and curbs. Using a cement mixture, terrazzo workers create durable and decorative surfaces for floors and stairways.
Cement masons typically do the following:
- Set the forms that hold concrete in place
- Install reinforcing rebar or mesh wire to strengthen the concrete
- Signal truck drivers to facilitate the pouring of concrete
- Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using a trowel, float, or screed
- Mold expansion joints and edges
- Monitor curing (hardening) to ensure a durable, smooth, and uniform finish
- Apply sealants or waterproofing to protect concrete
Terrazzo workers typically do the following (in addition to what cement masons do):
- Measure ingredients for terrazzo
- Blend a marble chip mixture that may have colors in it
- Grind and polish surfaces for a smooth, lustrous look
Concrete is one of the most common and durable materials used in construction. Once set, concrete—a mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water—becomes the foundation for everything from decorative patios and floors to huge dams or miles of roadways.
The following are types of cement masons and terrazzo workers:
Cement masons and concrete finishers place and finish concrete. They may color concrete surfaces, expose aggregate (small stones) in walls and sidewalks, or make concrete beams, columns, and panels.
Throughout the process of pouring, leveling, and finishing concrete, cement masons must monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affects the curing of the concrete. They must have a thorough knowledge of the characteristics of concrete so that, by using sight and touch, they can determine what is happening to the concrete and take measures to prevent defects.
Terrazzo workers and finishers create decorative walkways, floors, patios, and panels. Although much of the preliminary work in pouring, leveling, and finishing concrete is similar to that of cement masons, terrazzo workers create more decorative finishes by blending a fine marble chip into the cement, which is often colored. Once the terrazzo is thoroughly set, workers correct any depressions or imperfections with a grinder to create a smooth, uniform finish.
Tile and Marble Setters
Tile and marble setters apply hard tile, marble, and wood tiles to walls, floors, and other surfaces.
Tile and marble setters typically do the following:
- Clean and level the surface to be tiled
- Measure and cut tile and marble
- Arrange tiles according to the design plans
- Prepare and apply mortar or other adhesives
- Install tile and marble in the planned area
- Apply grout with a rubber trowel
- Wipe off excess grout and apply necessary finishes, such as sealants
Tile installers, tilesetters, and marble setters install materials on a variety of surfaces, such as floors, walls, ceilings, countertops, patios, and roof decks. Because tile and marble must be set on smooth, even surfaces, installers often must level the surface to be tiled with a layer of mortar or plywood. If the area to be tiled is unstable, workers must nail a support of metal mesh or tile backer board to create a stable surface.
To cut tiles, workers use power wet saws, tile scribes, or hand-held tile cutters to create even edges. They use trowels of different sizes to spread mortar or a sticky paste, called mastic, evenly on the surface to be tiled. To minimize imperfections and keep rows straight and even, they put spacers between tiles. The spacers keep tiles the same distance from each other until the mortar is dry. After the mortar dries and the tiles are set, they apply grout between tiles using a rubber trowel (called a float).
Marble setters may cut marble to a specified size with a power wet saw. After putting the marble in place, marble setters polish the marble to a high luster, using power or hand sanders.
