Description of the Floorcovering Installer Trade
“Floorcovering Installer” is this trade’s official Red Seal occupational title approved by the CCDA.
Floorcovering installers install, replace and repair a variety of floorcoverings. They work with cushion, carpeting, vinyl, resilient tile, sheet flooring and seasonal carpet. In some jurisdictions, floorcovering installers may also install and repair pre-finished wood, unfinished wood, engineered wood, laminate and artificial turf. Floorcovering installers install and repair floorcoverings in residential and industrial/commercial/institutional (ICI) settings.
In new building construction, floorcovering is one of the final procedures to be carried out. Floorcovering installers ideally begin their work after services (water, electricity, light, heat) are installed and walls are painted.
When replacing or repairing pre-existing floorcoverings, the work area must be cleared of furniture and appliances. Existing flooring, cushion and trim must often be removed. When repairing damaged areas, floorcovering installers perform tasks such as matching patterns and inserting pieces using specialty tools and equipment.
The preparation for floorcovering installation involves inspecting, measuring and cleaning surfaces onto which the floorcovering is to be installed. Preparation normally includes correcting surface imperfections such as cracks, chips and small holes, and sanding and filling wood substrates and/or underlayment panels.
Floorcovering installers may be responsible for site visits, planning, scheduling and estimating of jobs. They use blueprints, freehand drawings, scaled drawings, layout plans, shop drawings, work orders and finish schedules.
Self-employment is common in this trade. Some floorcovering installers are employed by flooring businesses (retail or wholesale), construction companies and contractors.
Floorcovering installers need to know about a wide variety of flooring, though some may specialize in certain types of applications, depending on where they work. Floorcovering installers may work closely with designers, engineers, architects and other tradespeople such as carpenters, painters and decorators, lathers (interior systems mechanics), drywall finishers and plasterers, and cabinetmakers.
Key attributes for people entering this trade are: good colour vision, hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, mathematical skills, communication skills and organizational skills. Good physical condition is important because the work often requires considerable kneeling, stretching, twisting, and lifting heavy and awkward loads. Floorcovering installers must be aware of the ergonomic hazards of the trade and appropriate work practices.
Health and safety are important for these tradespeople as they are frequently in contact with chemical (e.g., paints, adhesives and other toxic materials) and physical (e.g., cutting tools, fastening tools and silica dust) hazards. Ongoing safety awareness and a good knowledge of safety standards and regulations are important.
With experience, journeypersons may move into supervisory, management, sales and instructional positions.