[DIYNoob5267]

Hi All!

Is anyone able to tell what is happening to my shower floor? It's porcelain tile that has had this "haze" effect ever since I bought the unit in 2017. Is it salvageable? Am I able to remedy myself? Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[chandler48]

You may want to try to remove it chemically. This product does a good job, but be sure to read and heed the directions as it is an acid.

Custom Building Products Aqua Mix 1 Qt. Cement Grout Haze Remover 050162-4

An acidic treatment designed to remove cementitious grout haze. Also effective for the removal of most hard water stains, rust stains, efflorescence and lime deposits. Contains no phosphates.

www.homedepot.com

 

[MTN REMODEL LLC]

Looks like dirt to me....have you tried scrubbing it with cleaners.....maybe it is haze, and chandlers light acid should work if it is cementious.

 

[chandler48]

Now, we left some Mapei grout on the tile surface one time too long. Pure Muratiac acid would not budge it. Floor had to be torn out.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Looks like the shower has not been cleaned since you bought it.

 

[mathmonger]

Well, you can't make it worse... I'd try cleaning the crap out of it. Try Barkeeper's Friend. Try straight bleach. Try liquid shock from a pool store (same as bleach only stronger). Try muriatic acid (the real stuff, not the watered down safety crap from the big box store). Try a scouring stick. Try abrasive blasting it.

 

[DIYNoob5267]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the help. I wish all it took was a good cleaning, but I have tried all of your commercial cleaners. I am going to try some of the stronger solutions that you have suggested. If the floor tile is unsalvageable, am I able to simply remove the floor tile and replace it? Does the entire shower need to be re-waterproofed/re-tiled?

 

[chandler48]

It is not simple to pull up flooring in a shower and replace it. It can be done, but I would attempt to clean it before I would replace it. Clean it to where it is acceptable and live with it.