Career summary

Details for Terrazzo Workers and Finishers


Description

Apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.

Tasks

  • Cut metal division strips and press them into the terrazzo base for joints or changes of color to form designs or patterns or to help prevent cracks.
  • Blend marble chip mixtures, place into panels, and push a roller over the surface to embed the chips.
  • Measure designated amounts of ingredients for terrazzo or grout, according to standard formulas and specifications, using graduated containers and scales, and load ingredients into portable mixer.
  • Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, or straightedges.
  • Spread, level, or smooth concrete or terrazzo mixtures to form bases or finished surfaces, using rakes, shovels, hand or power trowels, hand or power screeds, or floats.
  • Grind curved surfaces or areas inaccessible to surfacing machine, such as stairways or cabinet tops, with portable hand grinder.
  • Grind surfaces with a power grinder, or polish surfaces with polishing or surfacing machines.
  • Position and secure moisture membrane and wire mesh in preparation for pouring base materials for terrazzo installation.
  • Modify mixing, grouting, grinding, or cleaning procedures, according to type of installation or material used.
  • Wash polished terrazzo surface, using cleaner and water, and apply sealer and curing agent according to manufacturer's specifications, using brush or sprayer.
  • Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine.
  • Sprinkle colored marble or stone chips, powdered steel, or coloring powder over surface to produce prescribed finish.
  • Wet surface to prepare for bonding, fill holes and cracks with grout or slurry, and smooth with a trowel.
  • Repair concrete by cutting out damaged areas, drilling holes for reinforcing rods, and positioning reinforcing rods, using power saw and drill.
  • Clean installation site, mixing and storage areas, tools, machines, and equipment, and store materials and equipment.
  • Fill slight grinding depressions with matching grout material and hand-trowel for a smooth, uniform surface.
  • Chip, scrape, or grind high spots, ridges, or rough projections to finish concrete, using pneumatic chisel, hand chisel, or other hand tools.
  • Clean chipped area, using wire brush, and feel and observe surface to determine if it is rough or uneven.
  • Move terrazzo installation materials, tools, machines, or work devices to work areas, manually or using wheelbarrow.
  • Build wooden molds, clamping molds around areas to be repaired, or setting up frames to the proper depth and alignment.
  • Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
  • Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
  • Precast terrazzo blocks in wooden forms.
  • Spread roofing paper on surface of foundation and spread concrete onto roofing paper with trowel to form terrazzo base.
  • Remove frames when the foundation is dry.
  • Wet concrete surface and rub with stone to smooth surface and obtain specified finish.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Knowledge

  • Design -Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Chemistry -Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Building and Construction -Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Skills

None found.

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