Grouting

[Angel]

Hi all,

I'm having a prob with my ensuite shower where there is dampness spreading down the wall between the shower cubicle and the sink, tried sealing outside of shower cubicle and treating the wall but it seems to be coming back. There is an extractor fan in the room but the room does still get quite steamy. The walls are plasterboard and i was wondering if its coming from behind the tiles. Also the grout in the tiles are becoming discoloured with mould in areas, was trying to get the old grout out to put new stuff in but it seems to be tile cement thats between the tiles because its not very easy to remove. The house is only 2 years old. I would be really grateful for any advice on this. I was going to get someone in to look at it, is this a good idea or could i fix th problem myself.

Thanks very much.
Lisa

[ultimatehandyman]

Hi Lisa,

Poor ventillation is probably the cause of your problem.

Replacing the grout is not easy but should improve things especially if you use grout with an added fungicide, which should prevent the grout from discolouring. There are some good acrylic based grouts available now and these should do the trick.

[scribbla]

Hi
for removing grout best thing to get is a grout removal tool...tops tiles, B&Q sell these its just a handle with a carbon blade on , simple run the blade up and down over the grout joint to remove it, then i would use microban wall grout again i think all the major shops supply this, if the plaster board walls are exposed use a tanking system on them (simply a rubber paste you paint on)

anti fungal grouts and silicones are widely available :)

[wasim21k]

scribbla,
where i can find grout faxi like silicon?

[scribbla]

if you mean a grout thats got the anti mould stuff in then topps tiles sell it
its called microban white wall grout by Bal, also silicon with microban in