Watch Bathroom Shower Tile Video
One of the most common calls we receive here at ProMaster Home Repair & Handyman of Cincinnati is for bathroom shower tile and grout repair. Failed bathroom shower tile and grout is an expensive repair. Fortunately, there is one simple, inexpensive step you can take to avoid premature failure of your bathroom shower tiles and grout.
With our economy's constant volatility, homeowners need to make every effort to prevent unnecessary and costly home repairs with proper maintenance and care. The purpose of this article is to explain why bathroom shower tiles and grout generally fail and how proper maintenance of your shower tile can prevent that from happening.
How Bathroom Shower Tile and Grout Fail
Whether you have shower tiles coming off the wall, grout that is molding or falling out, water intrusion behind the tile or the shower itself is leaking, there is typically one common cause. That cause is water penetrating the grout and infiltrating the tile backing. Often, this results in mold growth in the tile grout lines, deterioration of the adhesive between the tile and the tile backer, or failure of the tile backer itself.
Examples of Bathroom Shower Tile Failure
Bathroom Shower Tile – Failed Grout
Here you can see a shower where the grout lines are failing and a tile is cracking. You can also see where water has made its way behind the grout to cause mold to grow. There isn't anything one can do to fix this shower. It must be demolished and a new tile shower built in its place.
Bathroom Shower Tile Repair – Mold
Here you can see where the water has not only destroyed the grout and tile adhesive, but the tile backer as well. A tile repair project like this will cost you thousands of dollars—so please, take heed to the following advice to maintain your shower, as such maintenance takes precious little time and money.
Bathroom Shower Tile Grout Must Be Sealed Periodically
Grout is porous, meaning that it does allow some water to penetrate it. Consequently, it must be sealed periodically to maintain its moisture resistance. If there are holes, cracks, or even invisible fissures in your grout lines, water will find its way in to cause mold growth, tile adhesive failure and water damage to the shower. Often, tiled showers installed over a finished space are responsible for wood rot, drywall damage and mold growth in a home. Therefore, properly maintaining the water resistance of your tile shower will not only prevent costly damage to the bathroom itself, but other areas of your home.
How to Seal Bathroom Shower Tile
Thankfully, bathroom shower tile maintenance is a breeze. Simply purchase an aerosol can of grout sealer from your local home improvement store and use it as indicated on the label. Essentially, once you clean the shower, you spray the grout lines with the sealer and let it dry, then re-apply once more. This treatment should be done yearly as a sound measure to seal up any cracks or microscopic holes in the grout that could lead to further water damage. If you have a natural stone tile shower, a product is available for that application as well. For a few dollars and minutes of your time each year, you can prevent the frustration and expense of replacing bathroom shower tiles and avoid the associated water damage from their failure.
Act Fast on Bathroom Shower Tile Problems
If a problem develops in your shower, attack it immediately to prevent more costly damage. Here is a picture of a client we recently helped who acted quickly upon noting some mold growth and water staining in their shower grout.
Quick Bathroom Shower Tile Repair
We were able to clean the grout, replace a few areas of failed grout without removing the tile and then seal the entire shower. Consequently, a few hundred dollars in repairs avoided a multi-thousand dollar disaster.
For Help with Shower Tile Repairs
ProMaster Home Repair & Handyman of Cincinnati is a great choice for those who don't have the time or inclination to perform their own bathroom shower tile repairs. Whether you notice molding grout or loose tiles, ProMaster has a skilled team of professionals who understand that attention to detail, artistry and precise craftsmanship are the keys to success in any bathroom shower tile project.
Our Master Craftsmen are professionals who have honed their tile skills by experience and a quest for perfection. Keep in mind that these craftsmen aren't just bathroom repair pros; they are skilled at other home repair tasks like, carpentry, concrete & masonry, drywall & paint, electrical, flooring & tile, plumbing and roofing. Our multi-skilled craftsmen represent a distinct advantage over other repair contractors due to their ability to perform numerous tasks associated with a bathroom repair project.
