P-S

Paper and wire

Tar paper and wire mesh (or metal lath) that are used as a backing for the installation of tile.

Paper mounted ceramic mosaics

Ceramic mosaic tiles mounted on paper. Paper is applied to face of tile in sheets approximately twelve (12) inches wide, twenty-four (24) inches long.

Pavers

Unglazed porcelain or natural clay tile formed by the dust-pressed method and similar to ceramic mosaics in composition and physical properties but relatively thicker with 6 inch square or more facial area.

Permeability

The quality or condition of allowing passage of liquids or gasses through a rubber layer.

Plasticizer

A material that increases plasticity of a cement paste, mortar, or concrete mixture.

Pointing trowel

The pointing trowel or pointer is probably the most essential tool in the trade. It comes in sizes ranging from 4 to 6 inches in length, but the 6 inch trowel is the most popular. The tile setter uses this trowel in every phase of the work, especially for straightening tiles on walls and floors, marking floated surfaces, filling small depressions on float coats, buttering tiles and trim work, and placing mortar in areas that are too small the flat trowel. The butt of the handle is used for tapping in tiles that are not on a true plane with the rest of the tile work. The trowel's flat working surface must be protected. The tile setter should not use it to pry or chop hardened materials such as concrete or plaster.

Porcelain

A glazed or unglazed vitreous ceramic whiteware used for technical purposes. This term designates such products as electrical, chemical, mechanical, structural, and thermal wares when they are vitreous.

Porcelain process

The method of producing glazed ware by which a ceramic body and glaze are matured together in the same firing operation.

Porosity, apparent

The relationship of the open pore space to the bulk volume, expressed in percent.

Pot life

The period of time during which a material maintains its workable properties after it has been mixed.

Prefloat

The term used to describe mortar that has been placed and allowed to harden prior to bonding tile to it with thin-set materials.

Rubber trowel

The rubber trowel used for grouting is a non-porous synthetic-rubber-faced float that is mounted on an aluminum back with a wood handle. This trowel is used to force material deep into tile joints and to remove excess material for a perfect finish.

Rubbing stone

A Carborundum stone that is used to smooth the rough edges of tile.

Sag

A term used when a wall surface has developed a slide.

Scratch

A mixture of portland cement, sand, and water.

Sealer

(1) A continuous film or penetrant to prevent the passage of liquids or gaseous media; a high-bodied adhesive generally of low cohesive strength to fill voids of various sizes to prevent passage of liquid or gaseous media. (2) A coating used to seal the sand-scratched surface of a primer in order to obtain a smooth uniform paint base over rough metal. Sealers are products of low pigmentation.

Self-spacing tile

Tile with lugs, spacers, or protuberances on the sides. These devices automatically space the tile for the grout joints.

Semi-vitreous

3 percent to 7 percent water absorption.

Set

The condition reached by a cement paste, mortar, or concrete when it has lost plasticity to an arbitrary degree, usually measured in terms of resistance to penetration or deformation; initial set refers to first penetration or deformation; initial set refers to first stiffening; final set refers to attainment of significant rigidity; also, strain remaining after removal of stress.

Shelf life

Maximum interval during which a material may be stored and remain in a usable condition.

Shower pan

Terminology used in some areas for Waterproof membrane.

Skid resistance

A measure of the frictional characteristics of a surface.

Slab

A flat (although sometimes ribbed on the underside) reinforced concrete element of a building which provides the base for the floor or roofing materials.

Spacers

T, Y and X shaped, they are used in installation to separate tile on walls and floors. They are manufactured in various thickness from 1/16 to 1/2.

Splash walls

The walls of a tile drainboard or bathtub.

Substrate

The underlying support for the ceramic tile installation.

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