Page 1
Page 1
Started By
Message

Grout Issues

Posted on 11/11/23 at 10:34 pm
Posted by JRE1980
Member since Aug 2020
540 posts
Posted on 11/11/23 at 10:34 pm
We've been living in this home for almost 3 years now. I wanted to keep my shower clean as it was one of the reasons we bought the home. Unfortunately the grout has become discolored and using a bristled brush (not metal or too stiff), to clean has broken some of the grout causing little gaps. The stone on the walls are natural stone and I don't want to use anything super abrasive or acidic.
I've tried Zep and it worked to start off, but it's no longer taking care of the issue. Plus the smell is really harsh.

Has anyone found something that works completely? Pictures attached. HELP!

LINK
LINK
LINK
LINK
Posted by ellunchboxo
G-Town
Member since Feb 2009
19290 posts
Posted on 11/12/23 at 5:57 am to
Barkeepers Friend and a brush.
Posted by Jmcc64
alabama
Member since Apr 2021
1845 posts
Posted on 11/12/23 at 8:25 am to
you can use a strong bleach solution that will get it looking good for a few days but then it's back to brown/black.
Posted by PerplenGold
TX
Member since Nov 2021
2215 posts
Posted on 11/12/23 at 10:14 am to
What will you do about the grout gaps?
Posted by JRE1980
Member since Aug 2020
540 posts
Posted on 11/12/23 at 10:44 am to
I have no clue about the grout gaps. May just have a professional come in and touch up those. Upsetting to say the least. I'm also full-time school, full-time work, full-time husband/dad so cleaning is not exactly top priority.
Posted by 9rocket
Member since Sep 2020
1647 posts
Posted on 11/12/23 at 10:45 am to
From what I can see, it would seem like water is getting behind the tiles and not draining as it should, hence the harsh smell. I assume those are wall tiles, what does the floor look like? It’s holding water somewhere. Do you know the method that was used to build the shower? What type of waterproofing? If a liner was used on the floor is there a “pre slope” below the liner?

Unfortunately, many tile setters out there that do not know how to build a shower correctly. It’s not as simple as nailing up some hardibacker and sticking up some tiles.
Posted by ChEgrad
Member since Nov 2012
3777 posts
Posted on 11/12/23 at 10:57 pm to
MarbleLife makes some products for natural stone. Has worked well for me.

But you have deeper grout issues to address than just cosmetics.
Posted by idlewatcher
Planet Arium
Member since Jan 2012
92716 posts
Posted on 11/13/23 at 8:37 am to
quote:

Has anyone found something that works completely?


30% vinegar concentrate with baking soda. You can thank me later.
Posted by Pezzo
Member since Aug 2020
2872 posts
Posted on 11/13/23 at 3:09 pm to
after you fix it, get a squeegee and squeegee the walls after every shower. its a pain in the arse at first until you get it into the routine. started doing this and noticed our shower hasn't had the black mold/mildew return in a few weeks. it used to return within 2 weeks.

wife hate's doing it because "i've never had to do this in my life"....well yea, because your parents had plastic showers. i told her she wouldn't like the glass shower doors or grouted shower in the long run, but hey
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
60606 posts
Posted on 11/13/23 at 11:37 pm to
Man, you need to bleach that. Just put bleach in a spray bottle and spray it down. If you want to spend some time on it, you can get a small brush and apply it with that.

Rinse with clean water once the mildew disappears
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 1Next pagelast page
refresh

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookXInstagram