Task statements

  • Cut covering and foundation materials, according to blueprints and sketches.
  • Trim excess covering materials, tack edges, and join sections of covering material to form tight joint.
  • Cut flooring material to fit around obstructions.
  • Roll and press sheet wall and floor covering into cement base to smooth and finish surface, using hand roller.
  • Lay out, position, and apply shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors, walls, and cabinets, following guidelines to keep courses straight and create designs.
  • Sweep, scrape, sand, or chip dirt and irregularities to clean base surfaces, correcting imperfections that may show through the covering.
  • Measure and mark guidelines on surfaces or foundations, using chalk lines and dividers.
  • Inspect surface to be covered to ensure that it is firm and dry.
  • Form a smooth foundation by stapling plywood or Masonite over the floor or by brushing waterproof compound onto surface and filling cracks with plaster, putty, or grout to seal pores.
  • Apply adhesive cement to floor or wall material to join and adhere foundation material.
  • Determine traffic areas and decide location of seams.
  • Remove excess cement to clean finished surface.
  • Heat and soften floor covering materials to patch cracks or fit floor coverings around irregular surfaces, using blowtorch.
  • Disconnect and remove appliances, light fixtures, and worn floor and wall covering from floors, walls, and cabinets.

Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.