help--what is happening to my marble tile?!?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hi, all. I know marble tile and marble tile turning gray or "wet" has been discussed in great detail here. But I mainly seem to have found information on marble tile having this issue when it's on a shower floor. But I'm having an issue with a wall installation.

We have recently installed polished calacatta gold tile in our shower/tub combo. After we take a shower, some of the tiles start to develop a gray "shadow" or splotches. See 2 attached photos. (The most affected tiles are the ones you see in the photo starting 2-5 tiles up from the tub ledge). The tiles get wet, and the splotches start to spread from the edges/grout of the tile, spread up and into the center of the tile usually in the exact same pattern every time, then after about 3-4 hours, it feathers and starts to dry out and then is completely gone. We're both using the shower for about 15 minutes each when this happens, and it happens every time, and dries out every time.

The tile was installed over a month ago (mid-late September). The overall bathroom installation involved 5/8 Durock cement board, then laticrete 9235 waterproofing, then white thinset mortar, and platinum laticrete with the tile. It was sealed with Miracle Sealants 511 Porous Plus both before install and after. The grout used was the one recommended by the tile supplier: Mapei Keracolor U Unsanded grout in white.

I've heard a few different ideas on what is happening, and all seem to imply this is not a concern, and that we should reseal and make sure to get it into the grout, but I'm of course very concerned and not sure whom to believe. Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

bossyvossy
8 years ago
Not sure but maybe grout wasn't sealed? There is an additive you are supposed to add to the grout. don't know if it can be corrected in your situation. I hope so.
kats737
8 years ago
I feel like it proves that grout is porous and not waterproof. Seems like it is letting water in and it is getting the mortar wet.

It sounds though as if you and your contractor did your homework and built this properly so the water is likely just a cosmetic issue. BUT, I am not a pro :)

You can seal grout after the fact. There are some sealers that provide some waterproofing protection.
Related Discussions
HELP!! What goes with White Carrara Marble vanity top?? And Floor
Q
Comments (4)
Take a look at travertine in a light ivory. It seems to go with everything. I have travertine on my bathroom floor, shower, and tub deck, then used crema marfil marble for an accent. It looks serene and beautiful! If you use the 18" travertine tiles, cut to 9 x 18 for the tub surround, there won't be that many grout lines. Get the installer to use "butt joints" in the tile so the grout lines are just teeny. Another alternative would be to go with a black and white theme.
...See More
Has ANYONE heard of 2x6 marble subway tile? (field tile)
Q
Comments (9)
I have not done this, so I do not know the peculiarities of cutting marble, but would it not be possible for you to buy 6x6 pieces of marble tile, rent a stone/tile cutter and slice them into 3 2x6 tiles yourself, at a much smaller cost than having it done? I believe you can rent one at a big box store or specialty tool rental company by the day or a small number of days. It's a messy, messy tool -- it uses a spray of water to keep the dust and friction heat down, so you'd need to use it outside. The rectified corners make it possible to use the pieces interchangeably, unlike a tile with rounded corners, where they would not match. As I recall the backsplash area in your house is not vast, so you would not be cutting forever. I think Circuspeanut cut 6x6 ceramic tiles in half to get subways for her beautiful, buttery kitchen. I don't know if it's any different cutting marble though -- it's a soft stone and the blades are very sharp. It would take some time, you might break/chip a few tiles, so there would be some losses (and some you could hide with grout or use in less noticeable places, like right up under the cabinets). But at least you wouldn't be paying for someone else's labor. I would let the tile setter know that this is what you were planning, and at least get his quote on the work. He or she might decide that they'd rather use tiles they cut themselves and give you a good price on that part of the project, just to make sure they have a good product in their hands. I would not just cut them and spring it on them. Or you might even find out that, once you rent the tools and start breaking tiles and give up your Saturday, that their rate is actually very reasonable. Good luck!
...See More
I got my marble samples with Clearstone coating
Q
Comments (14)
duffy - I think the point is that you're coming across a little harsher than might be necessary to state your feelings on this. I haven't seen the process, but I'm curious as to how this sealant "trashes the natural look and feel of the stone"...again, I haven't seen it, but I'm honestly curious. I know that our granite will have a sealant put on it and I didn't notice a difference between the slab as it was and when they gave me a piece of it with the sealant on it. As for the price to have Clearstone installed - for you, the price might be too high. For those who want marble but not the etching, that might seem to be an extremely manageable price to ensure that they can continue loving what they have selected to be in their kitchen. Looking at the "marble alternatives" that are out there currently, there's none that I have seen that I would consider a good enough facsimile to warrant getting it instead of marble if marble was what I was going for. Also, I think that this is a great option for those who have marble, thought that they could live with the characteristics inherent with the stone, but find that they really can't. As for pricing - pricing is what the market will bear. Do I think the price is high? Sure. No doubt. On the other hand, I wouldn't begin to tell someone that they shouldn't do a sealant for the price quoted IF it is likely to give them the characteristics they are hoping to achieve to better love what they have decided upon. Now, if the product isn't going to help or won't help as much as it's purported to do, then that's helpful information to have.
...See More
Is my marble shower floor wet under the tiles?
Q
Comments (4)
Back in the summer, when I asked about how the shower was constructed, the contractor didn't mention a specific brand, but he did mention there was mud, a liner, and then mud. ( I'm sure I am oversimplifying what he said, but at the time I wasn't concerned about shower failing.) GreenDesigns, that is my thinking as well. Since this has happened, I've found instances that seem similar to mine, and the weep holes were to blame. Here are a couple of pictures I have. Unfortunately, I don't have any others to "fill in" the installation sequence. This post was edited by boots23 on Tue, Dec 9, 14 at 10:30
...See More
MongoCT
8 years ago
Sounds like a well thought out shower surround. Congrats.

The Mapei U is for grout joints with a max size of 1/8". Verify your grout line width. Not that I'm questioning it, just verify to eliminate that as a variable. Unsanded grout has no bulk filler in it, so if it's applied in too wide of a grout joint, it can develop micro-fissures as it cures which can lead to water absorption.

That said...

Mapei U is a portland cement based grout. Nothing wrong with PC grouts, I use them often. But by their nature, they are porous, more porous than the epoxies and urethanes, etc.

You have a porous stone. And porosity can vary from tile to tile.

On the whole, you used what could be considered to be a porous stone with a porous grout. So what your seeing can be expected.

But you win unlimited bonus points for using a tropical membrane behind the marble. Because water can't penetrate into the tile backer board, your getting a fairly fast drying cycle instead of the shower structure loading up on moisture, shower after shower.

Since the grout/tile edges seem to be the entry point for the moisture, I'd recommend you call Miracle Tech support at 800-350-1901, ext 1. Time zone wise they're on the west coast. Have the photos ready and you can email them to the tech so you have a common reference.

Depending on what they say, you can follow up with your tile supplier.

You could also call Mepei tech with the same thing. Grout used, sealer used, is this to be expected?

Overall, it's a natural stone, and these things can be expected. The only negative is that if it's a high-iron stone you could get iron oxide/rust/orange blotches down the road.

And I just want to emphasize again...it's wetting...it's drying. That it's drying is a good thing. It does happen with natural stones.

Good luck with it.
calypsochick
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi, all. Thanks for the comments! So overall this doesn't seem to be a concern in terms of something like water damage and/or mold, etc.? That was my main concern. The tile supplier does not seem to think so and instead said we should seal again (they recommended a different sealer than the Miracle Sealants we used.).

If there is no serious concern, aside from the cosmetics and possible yellowing from iron, then I suppose I should not have those tiles ripped out and replaced...which is what I thought would have to happen. The contractor said he could do it, but the supplier did not see a problem with install and is just thinking sealer, especially in the grout, will help. Like you all said, they said it's a porous stone and as long as it is drying out then that's good.

It all just doesn't look right but I will try sealing again and see. And I will call the companies to verify before.

Thank you!

help--what is happening to my marble tile?!?

Comments (4)

bossyvossy

kats737

Related Discussions

MongoCT

calypsochick
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

help--what is happening to my marble tile?!?

Comments (4)

bossyvossy

kats737

Related Discussions

MongoCT

calypsochickOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

calypsochick
Original Author