17 months ago I had a custom shower installation completed by a professional contractor. Large travertine tile was used on the shower walls while small ceramic tiles were used on the shower floor. In the last few months we've noticed that the tile grout is getting black in certain spots - mostly in the corners where the floor meets the wall. Also in the corners where the wall meets the bench. I assume this is mold... we've been using cleaning solution but are unable to completely solve the problem.
My questions for you... is this normal? Should our tile work be regrouted? Did the contractor do something wrong? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
First, the area where one wall meets another, or the wall meets the floor should be caulked, not grouted. Is it grout or caulk that we're talking about?
Second, if it is grout, has it been sealed? Do you know what type of grout it is?
Lastly, mold thrives in a moist environment. Do you have adequate ventilation, (i.e. a large enough fan)? Running it for 20 minutes or so after showering to make sure all of the moist air is out of the room may help.
I believe the areas where we're getting mold have both grout and caulk. Having taken these photos I'm noticing some significant cracks for the first time. I'm wondering what I should do to fix the problem.
Yes, the grout and tile have been sealed. The grout is TEC sanded grout, a polymer enhanced portland cement grout for grouting small tile joints 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.
We do have a bathroom fan but rarely use it. Perhaps we should start using it regularly as a way to cut down on this kind of problem???
Does anyone have a product they'd recommend for cleaning up the mold while protecting the tile? See the attached photos for illustrations of the problem.
So what do you think? Should this be regrouted, or should it only be caulked leaving the grout out of the equation? Maybe this is all normal?? Further input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
First, the area where one wall meets another, or the wall meets the floor should be caulked, not grouted. Is it grout or caulk that we're talking about?
Second, if it is grout, has it been sealed? Do you know what type of grout it is?
Lastly, mold thrives in a moist environment. Do you have adequate ventilation, (i.e. a large enough fan)? Running it for 20 minutes or so after showering to make sure all of the moist air is out of the room may help.
That is always our problem with grouts. It gets black marks from time. Our newly tiled bathroom (about a month old), already have some signs of black marks. Our bathrooms doesn't have enough ventilation to dry out the moist. The small windows and exhaust fan doesn't help much.
its hard to tell in all the pics if its grout or caulk but that one pick of the corner clearly shows grout. I would get all of that out of there and caulk it. Def use the bath fan and let it run for 10 or 15 minutes after you are done. I also think a quick wipe down with a towel after use would really help. Also some sealing needs to happen every year.
The area where the wall meets the floor should have caulk--I see only grout.
What did they use to stick the travertine to the wall with--Thinset made with a powder or
mastic-premixed in a bucket?
----Mike---
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