Tiler Notes on iPhone: Substrate Prep, Adhesive Selection & Installation Notes

Note-Taking for Tilers and Tile Setters

Tile setting is technically demanding work where substrate preparation determines long-term success. Adhesive selection, substrate deflection, movement joint placement, grout type, and tile layout all require documented decision-making. Failures in substrate prep or adhesive selection manifest years after installation — when documenting choices, you're protecting both your workmanship and your professional reputation.

Nemos organizes your technical knowledge and project context.

What Tilers Track

Substrate and preparation: - Substrate assessment notes (wood subfloor deflection check, concrete moisture testing, existing tile removal condition) - Backer board selection notes by application (cement board, uncoupling membrane, waterproofing membrane) - Waterproofing system notes for wet areas (product name, coverage notes, cure time) - Crack isolation membrane notes for problematic substrates

Adhesive and setting: - Thinset selection notes by tile size and weight (large-format tile requires medium-bed or back-buttering) - Modified vs. unmodified thinset notes by substrate and installation type - Extended-open-time thinset notes for large tiles or complex layouts - Substrate primer notes for non-porous or challenging substrates

Layout and design: - Layout calculation notes for centering and minimizing small cuts - Grout joint size observations by tile size and design intent - Pattern and orientation notes (diagonal, herringbone, offset requirements) - Feature strip and border placement notes

Grout: - Grout type selection notes (unsanded vs. sanded vs. epoxy vs. urethane by application) - Grout color mix notes for custom blended colors - Grout sealer product and application notes - Post-grout clean-up technique notes by tile surface type

Client and project: - Approved tile selection and grout color notes - Change order notes with client approval - Delivery and staging notes for large orders

Protecting Your Workmanship

A tile installation fails years later when it reveals improper substrate prep. Nemos notes documenting your moisture test results, substrate condition, and preparation decisions create a professional record that demonstrates you followed best practice — important when a client later questions an installation.

FAQ

What substrate notes matter most? Deflection check results for wood floors, moisture test readings for concrete, and any conditions that required deviating from standard prep. These protect you from liability when problems develop.

Should I document adhesive selection rationale? Yes — especially for large-format tiles, heated floors, or exterior installations where standard thinset is insufficient. The selection rationale is your professional documentation.

How do I track movement joint placement? A simple sketch note or photograph with Nemos note referencing joint location, product used, and spacing prevents questions during client walk-throughs and future repairs.

What grout notes prevent color matching issues on repairs? Exact brand, color name, and color number. Grout colors shift slightly between batches; documenting this information at installation gives you the best chance of matching repairs years later.

Is Nemos useful for estimating? Tile waste factor observations by pattern type and tile format, adhesive coverage notes per bag by substrate condition, and grout yield per joint width — all calibrate your material estimates.

How do I organize by installation type? Tags: `#floor`, `#wall`, `#shower`, `#exterior`, `#large-format`, `#mosaic`, `#heated-floor`. Cross-reference with substrate type.

Related Reading

• Bricklayer Notes on iPhone
• Stonemason Notes on iPhone
• Flooring Installer Notes on iPhone
• Construction Trades iPhone Workflow

Sources

• TCNA (Tile Council of North America) Handbook installation methods
• NTCA (National Tile Contractors Association) reference manual
• ANSI A108 tile installation standards