Shower tile in bad condtion - Sealer?

crayola110 · 08-23-2012, 03:23 PM

Hi guys I was wondering if there is some sort of sealer you can put on old bath tile?
It's basically just an old shower that has somegrout coming off in areas and cracks. I was wondering if there's some sort of membrane i can paint over itto just preserve it longer?

joecaption · 08-23-2012, 04:24 PM

Post a picture.
If there's loose or cracked tiles, most likly it's over due to be remodeled.
If it's just some missing grout the old can be dug out with a grout saw and replaced with new. Clean all the grout with grout cleaner and apply sealer.

If it's shot there is not quick fix bandade. The longer you wait the more mold and damage there's going to be behind the wall.
What do you want to bet there's just drywall behind it. If there is that's why it failed.

crayola110 · 08-23-2012, 04:34 PM

http://i46.tinypic.com/2088xsx.jpg

not the best pics but this is all i have.

joecaption · 08-23-2012, 04:40 PM

The picture do not show anything wrong with the tiles that I can see, how ever those walls outside the shower are a mess.
Looks like some rot in the bottom right had side under the door.
Who got the paint all over the bull nosed tile?

JazMan · 08-23-2012, 04:53 PM

That shower got a second life years ago with that pan repair. I can guarantee you the lower part is a moldy mess behind the tiles. It needs to be removed. But next time it need to be built correctly, (waterproofed).

Jaz

crayola110 · 08-25-2012, 09:10 PM

Yeah this is actually a rental duplex. It's a pic from a couple years ago. The wall has been fixed since then... the renters painted over it...i know it's a mess

I was just concerned that water could get through the tile grout, because it is old and the grout has cracks in it

JazMan · 08-26-2012, 12:02 AM

Tile & grout is not what makes a shower waterproof. If done right a shower is waterproof before any tile is installed. That is what the shower pan, (membrane) is for and waterproofing membranes for the walls too. There are several methods. Grout sealer also does not waterproof anything.

Jaz

JetSwet · 08-26-2012, 06:48 PM

Tile & grout is what makes shower waterproof if done correctly, the membrane acts as a back up case the tiles or grout fails. So in any case before you start tiling you want to start on how you will prevent damage if your shower fails.