mold in shower grout - help!!!
April SM
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (15)
April SM
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Help! - darkened shower floor grout
Comments (5)It still kills me that copper is considered the cadillac for pans in MA. I grew up in, and have worked in MA, so I'm plenty familiar with their methods. Some are so restrictive, some so lax, some so contradictory in nature. It still comes down to the pan being flat, and any imperfections in the flatness can lead to birdbaths (ponding), especially in the folded corners of the pan. While others will likely disagree, it's a failed installation in my world. The irony is that the installation is legal, and while the worksmanship, materials, and methods can be impeccable, a mud bed that retains moisture can be problematic over time. Some installations do need time to settle in. But if Bill recommended the guy, I figure your installer will give you a better analysis of what is occurring since he can put his eyes on the job, and he knows exactly how the floor and walls are detailed. I'm in Thailand now and your photos aren't loading. Probably not an issue with your photos, but with my internet connection....See MoreHelp! white mold inside the shower wall?
Comments (1)I took pictures of them. Hope it helps to diagnose what it is......See MorePlease Help: Darkened tile grout in master shower (pics attached)
Comments (19)Probably because you don't NEED a mudset job on a Kerdi Shower. If the framing and walls are true, why the mudset? Make no mistake, I have done tons of them and they certainly are great. Straight, plum and true. As to being "overpriced," yes, there is a proprietary drain assembly....which looks MILES better than the average PVC/FHA $9.00 drain and will cosdt you a hunnerd bucks or so. (big whoop!) When I factor in the time differential of mudding walls, putting in a preslope, setting and folding a rubber liner, metal cladding the curb for fat mud, putting in a final slope....all before you tile, as opposed to simply ONE mudbed, Kerdi the walls and floor and tile away...in many cases, I'm less expensive than the "Traditional" way...simply because of time. Warranty? Don't care about the Company. I warranty my stuff for life...and have yet to have a callback. What is "Life?" Until either you die of I die.....lol...See MorePro plz help tile changing hidden mold after new build shower install?
Comments (18)jillian, a couple of things: The shower pan is "the floor" of your shower. There should be a waterproofing membrane of some sort under the tile, and it's a code requirement that the waterproof membrane be sloped towards the drain between 1/4" per foot and 1/2" per foot. Now, I'm not talking about the tile itself, which should also be sloped to the drain. In addition to the tile being sloped, the waterproofing membrane needs to be sloped as well. What often happens is installers will pace the membrane flat on the subfloor, then put a sloped layer of what we call "deck mud" on top of the membrane. Nothing at all wrong with deck mud. It's a sand and cement mixture that is fairly porous, so water can percolate through it. Water WILL get past the floor tile and grout. Grout is porous. The water then gets in to the deck mud, just as it is supposed to. It percolates down through the deck mud until it hits the membrane, just as it is supposed to. Once it hits the sloped membrane, the water flows down hill towards the drain and goes out the drain by what we call "weep holes". Weep holes are small passages built into the drain to allow the water to escape the deck mud and eventually go down the drain. Just as it is supposed to! With a sloped membrane, the deck mud may be moist, but it won't be overly saturated and hold water. Now, if your installer put the shower pan membrane flat on the subfloor, when water percolates through the deck mud, it hits the flat membrane and simply sits there. The mud becomes fully saturated. If the bottom edge of the cement board on the walls was covered by deck mud, then the saturated deck mud can wet the wall board, and moisture can slowly wick up the walls, behind the tile. Because it is becoming wet from behind, mold or discoloration can build up BEHIND the glaze. I think one of the nastiest things to do in tiling, or with tile remediation, is to break up and demolish a saturated deck mud shower pan. They can be absolutely nasty. There's primordial ooze in that nasty mud. Anyhow, I tried to give a "nutshell" explanation, my nutshells seem to drag on for a bit. But hopefully this will allow you to better understand a potential issue with your shower. I'm not saying that IS what is wrong, but it's a common issue that presents symptoms similar to the ones you are seeing. Good luck getting it rectified....See MoreApril SM
6 years agoApril SM
6 years agoApril SM
6 years agoUser
6 years agoApril SM
6 years agocarolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoMiMi
6 years agoPatricia Kuehne
6 years agopricklypearcactus
6 years agocarolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
6 years agoTERSO MR®
6 years agoUser
5 years agoBrittney E
5 years ago
Related Stories
BATHROOM DESIGNConvert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — the Tiling and Grouting Phase
Step 3 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick the right tile and test it out, then choose your grout color and type
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNShower Curtain or Shower Door?
Find out which option is the ideal partner for your shower-bath combo
Full StoryMOST POPULARHow to Get Rid of Household Mold
Find out how to work with a pro to stop mold from damaging your house and health — and how to prevent it from forming
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDES9 Ways Grout–Yes, Grout–Can Add to Your Design
Choose From a Palette of Grout Colors for a Warm, Unified Look
Full StoryDISASTER PREP & RECOVERYHow to Combat Mold in a Flooded House
Before you rebuild or restore your water-damaged home, take these steps to keep mold at bay
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGHow to Clean Grout — Stains and All
If your grout is grossing you out, this deep-cleaning method will help it look new again
Full StoryTILEEpoxy vs. Cement Grout — What's the Difference?
Grout is grout, right? Nope. Cement and epoxy versions have different appearances, durability and rules of installation
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNHow to Settle on a Shower Bench
We help a Houzz user ask all the right questions for designing a stylish, practical and safe shower bench
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNNew This Week: 9 Bathrooms With Sensational Shower-Tub Combos
See how graphic tile, hardware finishes and other elements help integrate a bathtub in an interesting way
Full StoryBATHROOM OF THE WEEKBland Bath Reimagined With Bold Industrial Finishes and a Shower
A Miami designer helps a couple upgrade their forgettable master bathroom with contrasting tile and custom woodwork
Full Story
User