DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

Please give me some basic advice on fixing up my bath/shower tile.

4K views 27 replies 4 participants last post by  doug123 
#1 ·
Hi,

Our bath/shower tile is in need of some cleaning, fixing, I'm not sure what.

I've been meaning to get around to it the last couple years or so but don't have a real good idea of what I'm doing so I think that is the main thing holding me back.

Looks like the last person that was messing with it was not a pro, I'm assuming the former house owner.

I can feel some of the tile are loose, like they would come off fairly easy if I tried.

I've looked around at some basic stuff online. I'm thinking I want to get some kind of tool and scrape around on all the joints, getting loose grout and whatever doesn't look good/right. Then if any of the tile feel like they are going to fall off, I guess I would want to take them off and glue them back on. Then I go over everything and put new grout in, etc.???

So that is really all I know, but I figure there is more to it than that.

I guess what i really want/need is if someone could please give me advice on exactly what tool to use, what grout/supplies, etc I will need?

Or does someone know of a tutorial or anything like that?

I'm attaching some pics.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!











 
See less See more
6
#2 ·
I know you only want to repair what is there, but I would think that with the way the tile looks, I would not be suprised if you had extensive water damage behind all that, just a hunch, but looking at that tile job it is apparent that it was not done correctly.

So, are you planning on staying in this house for a while?

If yes then you should look at doing a retile job.

If not then, I would be looking at removing the black trim at the bottom and replace that. The big box stores do sell grout scrapers with a carbide tip to get inbetween the tiles.

I am sure drummel has a small carbide bit that would accomplish the same thing, but would could damage adjacent tiles if you slipped.

Again I would be concerned for the possible damage that lies behind that tile.

Mark
 
#4 ·
Wow. OK I'm glad I asked.

So what does extensive water damage mean?

I want to take down all the tile and put new up?

Yes, I plan on staying awhile. I want to fix it right.

What kind of possible damage are we talking about? Damage I can't fix?

Thanks.
 
#9 ·
That tile looks like 1950s or 60s---I believe that the wall behind that tile is rotten and will need replacing.

I could be wrong---but I doubt it---It looks like you will be pealing that area back to the studs--replacing insulation--adding cement board --and retiling the tub surround.

There are numerous posts on the subject---Try the search feature or just ask away.--Mike--
 
#10 · (Edited)
I think oh'mike is dead on, here's my appraisal FWIW.

The mold and mildew I see there is most likely also inhabiting the areas behind the tile. Mold and mildew to that degree are a health hazard.

It is very likely (most likely) the walls behind the tile are infested and damaged beyond repair.

I would plan on removing the tile and the wallboard down to the wall studs and starting from there. This isn't the end of the world and the task isn't all that hard to do. I would "gear-up" with gloves and a higher quality face mask and start taking things apart. Load the spoils into bags and get it out of there.

Once you/we know what is under that mess we can go from there.

The very first thing I would do would be to saturate that entire area with chlorine bleach, then ventilate and vacate the area immediately for a few hours. This will kill the infestation you can see but it won't kill what's behind the tile. Don't think for a minute that once you see the black has gone that you are out of the woods. Killing the surface growth is merely for your own protection during demolition.:)

Those cracked tiles around the valves indicates to me that the walls behind the valves are wasted. In fact I'll bet you can push on the tiles around the valve handles and see the the wall move.:)


If you are careful you can redo the tub surround and leave the wainscot. When removing the tile allow the bullnose tile at the corners to remain undisturbed. The walls outside of the tub area are salvageable.
 
#15 ·
I think oh'mike is dead on, here's my appraisal FWIW.

The mold and mildew I see there is most likely also inhabiting the areas behind the tile. Mold and mildew to that degree are a health hazard.

It is very likely (most likely) the walls behind the tile are infested and damaged beyond repair.

I would plan on removing the tile and the wallboard down to the wall studs and starting from there. This isn't the end of the world and the task isn't all that hard to do. I would "gear-up" with gloves and a higher quality face mask and start taking things apart. Load the spoils into bags and get it out of there.

Once you/we know what is under that mess we can go from there.

The very first thing I would do would be to saturate that entire area with chlorine bleach, then ventilate and vacate the area immediately for a few hours. This will kill the infestation you can see but it won't kill what's behind the tile. Don't think for a minute that once you see the black has gone that you are out of the woods. Killing the surface growth is merely for your own protection during demolition.:)

Those cracked tiles around the valves indicates to me that the walls behind the valves are wasted. In fact I'll bet you can push on the tiles around the valve handles and see the the wall move.:)


If you are careful you can redo the tub surround and leave the wainscot. When removing the tile allow the bullnose tile at the corners to remain undisturbed. The walls outside of the tub area are salvageable.
Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. The cracked tile didn't happen that long ago. I forget how it happened, I think my son might have smacked it with something. Anyway, the wall behind it is solid. All of the walls are solid that I feel. Honestly, I think it is more serious than I thought with my first post this morning but I don't think it is as bad as you guys think. Definitely some mildew but I can see the grout behind it when I am close up. I used to work for a plumber (gofer), I have certainly seen a lot worse.

Anyway, I am serious about this and I am taking your advice. I like the bleach idea. I think I'll do that tomorrow. What is the best way to do that? Fill a spray bottle with clorox? Should I use a sponge or something?

I think I should have given a better description this morning. The rounded black tile around the edge of the tub (tub surround?) looks like it came loose and someone didn't do a very good job of fixing it. The first row of tile behind the tub surround that runs the length of the tub has 5 or 6 tile that feel loose when I push on them. They feel loose, like they need reglued, not like the wall is moving. Really, the white tile above the pink look almost new to me for being the original tile (if it is original). None of the tile above the first row are loose.

Anyway, I would think I should start taking out the tub surround and that first row of tile. Then if it is really bad I should be able to tell right there, right?

So I plan on using the bleach tomorrow then I guess I'll start on this next weekend hopefully. How long would you think something like this will take? I can take some days off work.

Also, if I end up taking down all the tile, I guess I have other options than putting new tile up right? I guess I could put in a fiberglass liner or something along those lines? How hard is that to do?

So I'm hoping I don't need to rip the wall out but sounds like you have seen this many times so I won't be surprised if I have to.

I guess I just need to get started then I will know.

Thanks again, I really appreciate all of the advice on this...
 
#16 ·
The cracked tile didn't happen that long ago. I forget how it happened, I think my son might have smacked it with something.
Yow right, OK!:)

I don't think it is as bad as you guys think.
OK!:)

Fill a spray bottle with clorox?
Yup!:)

The first row of tile behind the tub surround that runs the length of the tub has 5 or 6 tile that feel loose when I push on them.
:)

Anyway, I would think I should start taking out the tub surround and that first row of tile. Then if it is really bad I should be able to tell right there, right?
Yup!:)

I guess I could put in a fiberglass liner or something along those lines?
That is an option.:)

I guess I just need to get started then I will know.
Yup!:)

Thanks again, I really appreciate all of the advice on this...
Keep us posted.:)
 
#17 ·
If you want to try and get another year out of that----bleach it with 10% solution of bleach/water-

Take a utility knife and start scraping out the old grout---and then regrout using unsanded grout--

Those black tiles at the bottom were ,likely,added in the 1970s--they were sold as 'hiders' for folks with ugly caulk or a sloppy installation.

Just a word of caution---the wall holding up the tile is fragile--regrouting might knock off some tiles--


Lots of posts here on tiling----Bud has a nice informative blog "preparing a wall for tile" (blogs above in the task bar)--Mike---
 
#18 ·
I used most of a can of scrubbing bubbles and a tile/grout scrubbing brush. Got it pretty good, then I sponged it with water to get rid of all the crud.

Then I got a 24 oz spray bottle. 10oz Clorox and 14 oz of warm water.

I sprayed it all down good and let it sit for about 30 minutes.

Then I filled the bottle with just warm water and sprayed everywhere where I had sprayed bleach then sponged it off.

I think it looks much better. The bleach made a big difference.

Whatever they put in at the bottom is some kind of caulking or something. It came right off with the brush so I didn't hit the tub surround real well. Didn't want it all apart yet.

You can see in the pics, the black tile at top and the white below. Then the pink tile. I didn't realize I wasn't showing the whole wall before.

I scrubbed a good bit of the little grout that was left, out. So I still need to do something soon.

I think I am still going to end up taking it all down. I might end up just putting in a liner. Seems like a lot of people do that. What is the general opinion on doing something like that? Maybe I should start a thread on that.

Anyway, I still plan on taking out the tub surround and the first row of tile first. So when I get to that point I'll post some more pics.

Thanks again for all of the help and advice. Much appreciated!!!









 
#19 ·
Remarkable---a small box of white unsanded grout will fill in any missing grout---

Do your homework when considering a tub surround----start looking at the condition of tub surrounds when visiting peoples houses.

Tub surrounds age very quickly---that's the big draw back to the surrounds---

A proper tiled bath--using modern grout will look good for decades.--Mike--(tile lover):whistling2::laughing:
 
#21 ·
Doug,

You cleaned that up very well, looks great, the wonders of modern chemistry, but remember in order for mold to grow it needs moisture given the fact that mold was growing deep in the cracks of that tile I would think you have moisture behind that tile, hence the thought that there is some rot back there to.

You can grout, and it may be good for a while, hope so, at least long enough for you to get things sorted out.

Mark
 
#23 ·
That old wall is fragile--once you touch it it will be time to rip it back to the studs-----

I suggest you leave it alone---start saving the money needed to rebuild the walls---

The walls are 15 to 20 years past thier usable life---you will most likely find a rotten wall hiding under those tiles-----just a warning----Mike---
 
#24 ·
OK. I thought Bud had said to remove those tile but I guess I got it wrong.

Here is the problem, the tub surround looks like it was not part of the original tile like you said before. I don't know what they used, but it is like window caulking. the caulking seems fairly new. When I touch it with the grout brush it comes right off. It is softer. I don't think I want to leave it like that.

Here is what I think I want to do. I am asking for advice here, so don't think I am not listening. I will be the first to say I don't know what I am doing.

I want to use the grout brush on the tile surround and caulking and take it out of there. I am calling the thin round tile along the edge of the tub the tile surround (right?) Then I know there are 5 or 6 tile that are loose. I want to glue those back in place with liquid nails. Then I want to grout I guess? Then I want to put the tile surround back? I am asking.

I will be as careful as I can not to be too rough with the wall.

Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

I have to do something. After my handywork yesterday, my daughter just used the shower this evening and when I came downstairs to my bathroom there was water all over the floor. Not a ton but enough. It is still dripping slowly out of my ceiling now, it just happened. So she must have been spraying water on the tile and like I said yesterday, a lot of the grout came out yesterday when I scrubbed it.

So the plan right now is just to get it back in working order. I just want to get everything sealed up and be able to use it.

I'd like to start this weekend.

If there is a good reason not to do that, please let me know. But like I said, I have to do something real soon now.

Thanks!!!
 
#27 ·
You had water dripping below, this is just what we were saying, that has likely been going on for a long time, maybe not dripping, but definately soaking into the wall behind the tile.

Close it down and get started on tearing it out, the whole thing, not just a couple of rows, there is definately, mold and rot behing that wall that you are going to want to take care of.

Mark
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top