Shower Walls - Problems and Solutions

Article by: Mark Davies

Showers can be a problem area for many householders. Although it will look pristine when new, a shower , Speedheat Introduces New Products For Radiant Heating cubicle or over bath shower , How To Clean Your House Like a Professional area can start to deteriorate and look shabby after a few years of use. The grout used between ceramic tiles , Daylily: A Perennial Favorite can start to discolour, black spots start to appear in the silicone sealant and damp patches may appear around the outside , Solar Pumps and Solar Lights for Ponds of the glass , Are you in search of the most up-to-date assistance relating enclosure.

What are the causes of these problems?

Grout is one of the main culprits. Although the ceramic tiles , Horse Manure - Does It Have Any Uses? are totally waterproof the same cannot be said for all types of grout : especially if it is not correctly applied. One small gap or pinhole can be enough to start letting in moisture, , Blue Spruce Trees -Not a Good Choice in Horsham Pa. and once this occurs mould can take hold and start to spread behind the tiles. , Using Mortars in your Water Feature The degree to which it spreads will depend on the level of moisture , Using Mortars in your Water Feature present.

Grout can also be a problem if the shower wall , Planting Or Transplanting A Tree has been built out of plywood. Plywood expands at a different rate to the tiles , So You've Decided to Finish Your Basement! and this can lead to the grout cracking and letting in moisture. , Garden Furniture: A Natural Extension of the Home

If grout is used as a sealant between the bottom of the tiles , Training Beautiful Flowering Shrubs into Unique Flowering Trees and the top surface of the rim of the shower , Get Off The Grass - Groundcovers For Problem Places tray or bath, this can also cause problems. Acrylic baths or shower , Training Beautiful Flowering Shrubs into Unique Flowering Trees trays flex very slightly during use, whereas grout will not tolerate any movement, and so cracks instantly. Wooden , Are you in search of the most up-to-date assistance relating joists and floorboards will also move slightly under load or due to expansion, which again can lead to grout cracking.

Silicone sealant should remain mould free in a well-ventilated shower , Solar Pumps and Solar Lights for Ponds area. If black spots start to grow , How to Transplant Trees in the seal it indicates the presence of moisture , A Review of Prominent Circuit Breaker Manufacturers : usually trapped moisture , Choosing Blinds For Damp Atmospheres behind the seal. This could mean that the silicone seal has lost adhesion to one or more surfaces due to high levels of movement or poor preparation prior to its application. It could also be a symptom of grout failure further up the wall, , Horse Manure - Does It Have Any Uses? rather than any problem with the silicone itself.

Damp patches on the wall , In Praise of Rays or floor , Marjoram: The Herb of Happiness outside a shower , Peace of Mind for Home Inspections: Choose the Right Inspect cubicle can be attributed to one of the above causes, leaking waste or supply pipes, or occasionally by excessive sealant inside , The Cranberry Viburnum Will Thrive In Furlong Pa the cubicle, causing water , Horse Manure - Does It Have Any Uses? to well-up in side the frame itself.

So what are the solutions?

The solution will depend on the severity of the problem : and keep in mind that much of the damage may be hidden.

Ensure that the shower , So You've Decided to Finish Your Basement! tray or bath is securely anchored in place , Sump Pump Installation For Do-It-Yourselfers and does not move when someone stands in it. If you have access to the underside check any supply and waste pipes for leaks.

Cut away old sealant with a sharp blade and replace with a high quality sanitary grade silicone sealant containing a fungicide. Try and avoid cheap sealant that has less fungicide and a lower silicone content.

Treat mouldy grout with a surface cleaner, initially, to see how deep rooted the problem is. If the problem returns, then you might need to think about raking out the old grout and applying new.

Alternatively you could do away with grout altogether and install shower wall , Tarragon: A Favourite of French Chefs panels in place , Choosing Blinds For Damp Atmospheres of ceramic wall tiles. , Speedheat Introduces New Products For Radiant Heating

Each shower wall , Edible Flowers in Your Garden panel slots into the next one using a tongue and groove system, eliminating the need for grout. These panels are totally waterproof and can be fitted to any surface : including the existing tiles. , Using Mortars in your Water Feature

About the Author

Mark Davies is the owner of The Bathroom , Choosing Blinds For Damp Atmospheres Marquee, a UK based online , Training Beautiful Flowering Shrubs into Unique Flowering Trees store specialising in shower wall , Easy Rose Planting panels, bathroom wall , Black Haw Viburnums will grow in Ambler Pa. cladding, and the Outasight concealed shower , Planting Or Transplanting A Tree curtain system.

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