Tile & Stone Installation

Sand Topping

SGM Sand Topping is a professional-grade, ready-to-use sand and cement mix crafted specifically for surface repair and preparation tasks. It serves as a dependable solution for patching concrete, filling cracks, and topping uneven areas between 0.5 and 2 inches in depth. Beyond mere repair, it can function as a solid mortar base under ceramic tile or dimension stone, ensuring a strong and stable foundation for installations.
What makes Sand Topping particularly valuable is its simplicity. The mix is pre-blended, meaning no need for tedious measurement or mixing of separate components. Installers only add clean potable water, typically between six and nine pints per 60-pound bag, to achieve a plastic, trowel-ready consistency. This streamlined process reduces jobsite waste, lowers labor time, and delivers consistent quality with every application.
Before applying Sand Topping, surface preparation is essential. Substrates must be clean and free of foreign matter, grease, paint, and oil to ensure adherence. When applying over existing concrete or masonry, a concrete bonding agent should be used first to improve mechanical bonding. Installers should also avoid covering expansion, cold, or control joints, and adhere to TCNA Handbook method EJ171 for detailed installation guidance.
Coverage is efficient: one 60-pound bag covers approximately 14 square feet at half-inch thickness. Cure times vary based on ambient conditions, so care should be taken to allow appropriate drying before proceeding with further work. Cleanup is effortless, tools and hands can be washed with warm, soapy water while the material is still fresh.
Safety is critical when handling cement-based products like Sand Topping. The mix becomes alkaline on contact with water and contains free silica, which poses inhalation risks. Installers must avoid skin and eye contact. Eye exposure should be addressed by flushing with water and seeking medical attention. To minimize silica dust inhalation, use a NIOSH-approved respirator. These precautions ensure safe handling and regulatory compliance.
The shelf life for Sand Topping is up to 12 months when stored in unopened, properly maintained containers, offering flexibility for inventory and project planning. SGM stands behind the product with a one-year warranty from the date of manufacture, covering materials that do not perform as intended under normal use. Claims require written notice and samples of the product in question.
In the hands of professionals, SGM Sand Topping is more than a patch, it is a high-performance surface preparation tool. Its versatility makes it suitable for quick fixes or complex substrate rebuilding. When used correctly, it helps create flat, smooth bases essential for durable tile or stone installation. Contractors can trust that the quality of this pre-blended mix supports precision, efficiency, and long-term results.

Product Details

APPLICATION

Surfaces must be clean of foreign matter, grease, paint, and oil. Use Concrete Bonding Agent prior to the application of Sand Topping over existing concrete or masonry surfaces to ensure a good mechanical bond. NOTE: Do not cover expansion, cold or control joints. Follow TCNA Handbook method EJ 171 for detailed specifications.

MIXING

Mix approximately six (6) to nine (9) pints (2.8- 4.3 L) with clean, potable water to desired plastic-like consistency via mechanical barrel type or mortar mixer.

COVERAGE

Approximately 14 sq. ft. at ½ inch thickness per 60 lbs. bag.

CURING

Cure time varies according to atmospheric and job-site conditions.

CLEAN UP

Use warm soapy water.

SHELF LIFE

Use within twelve (12) months of the manufacturing date.

CAUTION

Product is alkaline on contact with water. Use paddle for mixing to avoid splashing into eyes or contact with skin. During mixing or application avoid contact with eyes. In case of such contact, flood eyes repeatedly with water and CALL A PHYSICIAN. Wash thoroughly after handling and before smoking or eating. Do not take internally. CONTAINS FREE SILICA — DO NOT BREATHE DUST. Prolonged exposure to dust may cause delayed lung disease (Silicosis).

WARNING: This product may expose you to chemicals, including silica, which the State of California recognizes as a cause of cancer. For more information, visit the Proposition 65 Warnings Website (www.P65Warnings.ca.gov). Use NIOSH approved masks at all times to handle silica dust. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

SGM, Inc. warrants this product will perform in accordance with its intended use for a period of one (1) year from the date of manufacture. Any claim for defective product must be submitted in writing to SGM, Inc., and samples of defect must be provided. SGM, Inc.’s sole obligation will be to replace any product determined to be defective by SGM Inc. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, SGM, INC. MAKES NO OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL SGM, INC. BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, WHETHER ARISING BY CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE. SGM, INC.’S SOLE OBLIGATION WILL BE TO REPLACE ANY PRODUCT DETERMINED BY SGM, INC. TO BE DEFECTIVE.