Specification

WATERPROOFING MEMBRANES
2
KERDI is waterproof and resistant to most
chemicals commonly encountered in tiled
environments. It is resistant to aging and
will not rot. KERDI is highly resistant to
saline solutions, acid and alkaline solutions,
many organic solvents, alcohols, and oils.
Information regarding its resistance to specific
substances can be provided if concentration,
temperature, and duration of exposure are
known. For acid-resistant coverings, use an
epoxy adhesive to set and grout the tile.
KERDI is suitable for wall and floor surfaces
where protection against the penetration
of moisture or other harmful substances is
necessary. Applications include showers,
intermittent use steam showers, tub
surrounds, and areas surrounding swimming
pools. Industrial applications include the food
industry, breweries, and dairies. KERDI-DS
is suitable for use in continuous use steam
rooms and other applications with similar
vapor management requirements. Before
placing the KERDI, verify that the substrate is
clean, even, and load bearing. Surfaces that
inhibit proper adhesion must be removed or
appropriately treated.
KERDI meets the American National
Standard for Load Bearing, Bonded,
Waterproof Membranes for Thin-Set
Ceramic Tile and Dimension Stone
Installations (ANSI A118.10). The membrane
is listed by cUPC
® and evaluated by ICC-ES
(Report Nos. ESR-2467 and PMG-1204).
For copies of these documents, please
contact Schluter
®
-Systems at 800- 472-
4588 (USA) or 800-667-8746 (Canada) or
by e-mail at [e-mail]. Links to
the documents can also be accessed at
www.schluter.com.
KERDI has been independently tested and
found to emit zero VOCs per California
Specification 01350: “Standard Practice for
the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions
from Various Sources Using Small-Scale
Environmental Chambers”. Thus, KERDI can
contribute towards achieving the following
green building credits:
• LEED, IEQ Credit 4.3: Low-Emitting
Materials - Flooring Systems
• ICC 700-2008, 901.6: Pollutant Source
Control - Hard-Surface Flooring
• CHPS, EQ2.2: Low-Emitting Materials
Installation
1. The substrate must be clean, even,
and load bearing. The thin-set mortar
used for bonding KERDI must be
appropriate for the substrate, and it
must penetrate and engage the KERDI
fleece. Generally, an unmodified thin-
set mortar is used. Cut KERDI to size
prior to application.
2. Apply thin-set mortar to the substrate
using a 1/4" x 3/16" (6 x 5 mm) V-notched
trowel or the KERDI-TROWEL, which
features a 1/8" x 1/8" (3 x 3 mm)
square-notched design (Note the open
time of the mortar). Press KERDI fully
into the bond coat. Work the KERDI into
the mortar by applying pressure to the
membrane with the flat side of the trowel
(held at an angle) in smooth, diagonal
sweeps. Air bubbles must be avoided.
3. Seams can be constructed by
overlapping the edges of the KERDI
2" (5 cm) using unmodified thin-set
mortar, or by abutting the edges and
covering the joint with KERDI-BAND
using an unmodified thin-set mortar.
4. For inside and outside corners, adhere
pre-formed KERDI-KERECK-F corners.
For floor/wall connections, use KERDI-
BAND. Install KERDI-SEAL-PS pipe
seals at showerhead, body sprays,
etc. and KERDI-SEAL-MV at the mixing
valve. As an alternative to KERDI-
SEAL-PS/-MV, KERDI-FIX or other
suitable sealant can be used to seal
pipe protrusions and protect moisture-
sensitive solid backing panels at the
mixing valve.
5. Connections to fixed building elements
can be achieved by using KERDI,
KERDI-BAND, or KERDI-FLEX in
conjunction with KERDI-FIX, suitable
trowel-applied waterproofing materials
(such as urethane or similar), that
require atmospheric moisture to cure,
or other suitable sealing compounds.
6. KERDI shall be separated at existing
expansion, structural, and flexible edge
joints. Cover the joints with KERDI-
FLEX. To allow for greater movement,
the center section of the KERDI-FLEX
can be tucked into the cavity of the
expansion joint prior to bonding.
7. Once the entire membrane—with
seams, corners, and connections—has
been completely bonded, and therefore
waterproofed, the covering may be
applied.
Note: Water testing of the assembly
Prior to setting tile, wait 24 hours
to allow for final set of the mortar
before testing to ensure waterproof
performance of the assembly at seams
and connections.
8. For tile installations using the thin-bed
method, apply unmodified thin-set
mortar directly to the exposed KERDI
surface and install the tiles, ensuring full
coverage. For acid-resistant coverings,
use an epoxy adhesive to set and grout
the tile.
Connection to Schluter
®
-KERDI-DRAIN
KERDI-DRAIN is a floor drain specifically
designed to allow connections to KERDI
or other bonded waterproof membranes,
typically in shower applications. When
adhering KERDI to KERDI-DRAIN, the
membrane must be held back to the
step in the fleeced bonding flange. Apply
unmodified thin-set mortar to the bonding
flange using a 1/4" x 3/16" (6 x 5 mm)
V-notched trowel or the KERDI-TROWEL,
which features a 1/8" x 1/8" (3 x 3 mm)
square-notched design. Firmly press KERDI
into the mortar with the flat side of the
trowel to ensure 100% coverage and a
watertight seal. When using the stainless
steel KERDI-DRAIN bonding flange, KERDI
Schluter
®
-KERDI-DRAIN assembly with
Schluter
®
-KERDI waterproofing membrane.