Tile & Stone Installation
Southcrete™ 1100 Crack Suppression and Waterproofing Membrane (SC1100)
SGM Southcrete 1100 Crack Suppression and Waterproofing Membrane is a two-part, trowelable, thin membrane system engineered for both waterproofing and crack isolation under thin set or thick bed mortar installations. It is designed for use in residential and commercial settings and helps reduce the transmission of existing substrate cracks through ceramic tile, marble, or terrazzo floors.
The product works effectively over properly prepared substrates in both vertical and horizontal applications. Approved underlayment surfaces include concrete, mortar beds, cementitious backer units, APA exterior grade plywood for interior use only, existing ceramic tile, and drywall. This flexibility makes Southcrete 1100 a smart choice for showers, steam rooms, spas, bathrooms, balconies, plazas, fountains, and other water exposed areas.
Surface preparation is critical for successful installation. All surfaces must be fully cured for at least twenty-eight days and free of moisture, wax, oil, dust, and paint overspray. Substrates must be flat and, when used outdoors or in wet areas, properly pitched to drain water away from the structure. This membrane does not function as a leveling material, so any low spots or uneven areas must be repaired beforehand. Always follow ANSI guidelines for surface prep.
Mixing is straightforward. Combine one part powder with one part liquid by weight. Slowly add powder to liquid while stirring until the mixture becomes completely uniform. Use a slow speed mixer or mix by hand for best results. Avoid high-speed mixing or over mixing to prevent entrapped air and shortened working time.
For application use the flat side of the trowel to spread the membrane liberally across the surface, ensuring full coverage. Follow with a 3/16 inch v-notched trowel held at a 45 degree angle to form a continuous layer of approximately forty-five mils thick. Inspect with a wet film gauge to confirm full coverage. If any holes or bubbles appear after curing, apply an additional coat in those areas. Exterior and cold climate installations should not allow water to pool on the surface as that may compromise performance.
Southcrete 1100 also functions as an anti-fracture membrane. For hairline shrinkage cracks one eighth inch or smaller, force the mixture into the crack and overlay with the standard layer of membrane. For movement joints, clean and fill the joint with the membrane, then apply six inch wide fiberglass mesh into the still tacky layer. Smooth it down and allow it to cure for two to four hours before applying additional material. Follow proper joint detailing and always carry structural expansion, control, cold, or seismic joints through the tile layer according to TCNA method EJ171.
Flashings are essential where horizontal surfaces meet vertical surfaces. Apply flashing and allow it to set for thirty minutes before embedding six inch wide fiberglass mesh into the membrane. The mesh should have a three inch overhang beyond seams and corners. At drains embed twelve by twelve inch fiberglass mesh while the membrane is wet and tacky, trim it around the drain opening, then smooth the membrane over the mesh. Drains with weep holes and clamp rings provide the best performance and can be sealed once the membrane cures.
Allow the membrane to cure for a full seventy-two hours before conducting a water test. To test, plug drains and fill the area with water. Allow it to sit for at least twenty-four hours and monitor for leaks. Mark the initial water level to check for drop. If there is leakage, thoroughly inspect all flashing areas and drain transitions. Reach out to SGM technical services for recommendations if needed.
Once cured and successfully tested, tile may be installed over the membrane after only four to six hours depending on conditions. Use a latex modified mortar such as Floor Wall gauged with Southcrete 25 Acrylic Mortar Admix.
Coverage for one kit using a 3/16 inch v-notched trowel is approximately seventy-five square feet. The membrane meets ANSI A118.10 standards for bearing, bonding, waterproof membranes used under thin-set ceramic tile and dimension stone.
SGM includes safety warnings as the product becomes alkaline when mixed and irritates eyes on contact. Mixing should be done carefully using a paddle, eye protection should be worn, and skin should be washed thoroughly after handling. Do not ingest. Use proper ventilation and seek medical attention if contact occurs. The product also carries a California Prop 65 warning regarding silica risk. A one-year warranty applies from date of manufacture, and claims require written notice and sample submission.
SGM Southcrete 1100 provides a dual function waterproofing and crack suppression system that delivers performance and peace of mind for challenging tiled environments. It offers superior protection and is a trusted choice for professionals seeking long lasting reliability.
Product Details
LIMITATIONS
Install only when temperature is at least 50°F (fifty degrees Fahrenheit) but not to exceed 90°F (ninety degrees Fahrenheit). Do not use over any of the following:
- Metal;
- Particleboard;
- Luan plywood;
- Hardwood or parquet flooring;
- Gypsum-based underlayments;
- Resilient flooring;
- Drywall; or
- Plaster on exteriors.
Not to be used to cover over existing control expansion, construction cold, or saw-cut joints. Do not use in areas subject to inclement weather within 48 hours after installation.
SURFACE PREPARATION
Floors must be twenty-eight (28) days cured and free of moisture. All areas to receive application should be free of any wax, oil, dust, or paint overspray. Follow ANSI specifications to ensure proper preparation. Plywood floors must be constructed within tile industry standards and must be APA exterior grade. All areas subject to application should be flat. Wet and exterior installations should ensure proper slope (pitch) to drain away from structure. Approximately ¼ inch per foot.
- NOTE: Membrane shall not be used to level. Substrates shall be repaired and leveled prior to the application of the Southcrete 1100 Crack Suppression and Waterproofing Membrane.
MIXING
Using a clean container, add one (1) part powder to one (1) part liquid by weight. Combine powder to liquid gradually; mix until a completely consistent, homogenous mix is obtained.
- NOTE: A slow speed mixer is recommended (approximately 200—300 RPM) or manually mix with margin trowel or similar. Avoid high speed mixing or prolonged mixing which can entrain air and shorten pot life.
WATERPROOFING APPLICATION
Apply mixture liberally with flat side of trowel, ensuring that all surface areas are covered leaving no voids or pockets. Re-trowel over entire area with additional material using 3/16 inch v-notched trowel at a 45-degree angle to surface. Do not penetrate first coat to substrate with notched trowel. Ensure that 100 percent coverage has been obtained. Again, using the flat side of trowel, smooth over edges left by trowel, so that a flat continuous layer approximately 45 mils. thick exists. Periodically check with wet film gauge for thickness, making sure that there are no bubbles or voids in the membrane after curing. Should any imperfections appear, apply a second coat. Note: Exterior applications, especially in colder climates should not allow water to collect (puddle), which could possibly result in failure.
ANTI-FRACTURE MEMBRANE AND WATERPROOFING
For hairline shrinkage cracks that are ? an inch or less, apply mixture liberally with flat side of trowel forcing mixture into cracks. Re-trowel over cracks so that a flat continuous layer of approximately 45 mils. thick exists. Apply membrane approximately six (6) inches wide. On cracks larger than ? an inch or any joint susceptible to movement such as expansion, control, cold, or seismic joints, treat in the following manner:
- Open and clean out the joint to be covered.
- Fill joint with membrane and spread four (4) inches to either side of joint.
- While the membrane is still wet and tacky, embed six (6) inch wide fiberglass mesh into the membrane and smooth mesh over the crack using the flat side of trowel.
- Allow membrane to cure two (2) to four (4) hours, then apply additional membrane if necessary.
Before laying ceramic tile or dimension stone, mark joint with chalk to avoid installing tile over the joint. Caulk joint once tile has been installed and properly cured; consult sealant manufactures directions for specific details. For joints that exceed ? inch, clean joints and install open or closed cell foam polyethylene, rounded at the surface, to contact sealant. Sealant must not bond to backup material.
- NOTE: ALL expansion, control, cold, and seismic joints in the structure should continue through tilework. Refer to Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook 2019, Method EJ 171 for guidance. Consult the architect for proper placement.
FLASHING REQUIREMENTS
Flashing must be installed at all locations where the horizontal plane meets vertical abutments such as columns, curbs and any surface penetrations. Flashing should be done prior to the application of the membrane and allowed to set for thirty (30) minutes. Reinforce all seams and abutments by embedding six (6) inch wide fiberglass mesh into the membrane. Make sure fiberglass is completely covered with membrane and has an approximate three (3) inch overhang on either side. The membrane should continue three (3) inch beyond fiberglass mesh and overlap fiberglass mesh three (3) inches wherever there is a seam, and both inside and outside corners where two walls meet.
- DRAINS: Apply membrane liberally with flat side of trowel. While membrane is still wet and tacky, embed twelve (12) inch x twelve (12) inch fiberglass mesh into the membrane. Cut excess fiberglass mesh so that drainage hole is not obstructed, then re-apply additional membrane and smooth mesh using the flat side of trowel.
- NOTE:Drains should be the type with weep holes and clamp style ring. Once cured this will allow the upper flange to be clamped onto the membrane to tighten. Toilet flanges can be installed similarly. Caulk areas that make contact with flange using silicone caulk. Drains and toilet flange should be fully supported without movement.
WATER TESTING
The membrane must cure a minimum of 72 hours prior to water testing. Plug drains and dam area to be tested. Fill the area with water and allow a minimum of 24 hours to check for leakage. Place a mark on the wall or surroundings to monitor the water level for leaks. Allow 24 hours before checking for any loss from marks showing the level of the previous day. Some leaks will be apparent by air bubbles. If the level has dropped, thoroughly check around the drain and all points of flashing. Contact SGM for additional recommendations.
SPECIFICATIONS
Meets ANSI A118.10 for bearing, bonded, waterproof membranes for thin-set ceramic tile and dimension stone installations.
CURING
Allow membrane to cure 72 hours prior to water testing for leaks. Tiles may be installed as soon as four (4) to six (6) hours after application, depending on atmospheric conditions. Install tiles using a latex-modified mortar such as SGM Floor / Wall Gauged with Southcrete™ 25 Acrylic Mortar Admix.
COVERAGE
This unit will cover approximately 75 sq. ft. using a 3/16 inch v-notched trowel.
