Tile Winners

The project given to the tile contestants was to install a two wall shower receptor with dam and floor using the cement mortar method (TCNA – B414-07). The mock up walls and dam had been lathed and scratched with the shower pan and drain installed prior to the competition. Contestants began by floating mortar on the walls and dam. Then 4 ¼ tile was fresh set to the mortar walls and dam using Dry Set mortar (Thinset). They finished by installing the shower floor using drypack mortar that they sloped ¼” to the drain then covered with 2” x 2” ceramic tile adhered with Thinset.

Local 18 California member and first place winner Ignacio Sanchez is the first in his family to get into the trade and says belonging to the Union has opened up many economic opportunities. “My decision to join Local 18 was a good one,” he said. He didn’t think that he would win, but felt he had done well and described himself as “excited and nervous” throughout the event. What advice would he give to potential members? “I would suggest that they look into the many opportunities that BAC offers.”

Second place winner Jose Licea, also of Local 18 CA, began his career five years ago as a helper, and then quickly moved into tilesetting. His experience with his Local’s contest gave him the confidence to go on to the Western States Contest where he took top honors. Licea said he was thrilled to be able to share the Contest experience with his family through BAC’s web coverage. When he returned home, he received a lot of respect. “The apprentices were very happy,” he said, “and the fellows at work were proud.”

“We couldn’t be more proud of these apprentices,” said Local 18 President Chad Boggio. “To have not one, but two top winners in the tile competition is a great achievement.”

After his Internet job was outsourced four years ago, third place winner Scott McMahon of Local 1 Washington had to make some serious career choices. His decision to become a tilesetter has turned out for the best. “It just stood out to me,” he said. “It’s like being an artist.” This computer savvy guy also really appreciated the web coverage that allowed his family to follow the action. He received a congratulatory text message from his wife (who was at home) while on stage and soon after received a call from his boss. “Before I came home, everybody knew.” He got a promotion after the Contest, and is now a lead tilesetter on a five-star hotel project.