Browse Forums Bathrooms and Laundry 1 Jun 04, 2013 12:55 pm Have some white growth coming up through my grout in the main bathroom. I assume there is moisture under the tiles somehow and the white growth is some type of mould. Shower base was constructed on top of the yellow tongue boards (upstairs) Edges were a ~50x50mm long white brick with the screen inside to get fall to the drain hole Waterproofing applied over the top of that and all over the room Tiling over that with a greyish grout Don't believe the tiler did any sealant after the grout was done and wiped back. Before tiling: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Grout in areas where still looks like original condition: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Grout in the shower is all permanently darker, assumed this was due to constantly getting wet. But noticed the grout in a few places outside of the shower and not directly adjacent going a similar colour. Didn't give it much thought until the white marks started appearing. As the room was cleaned normally, it didn't progress much further other than the darker colour of the grout. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Thinking it might be mould, left it be (ie not mop the floors etc) to see what happened. As per the photos you can see that its growing out of the grout and left unchecked will just keep going. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ultimately, I assume someone is going to say that I have a water leak somewhere. I'm not sure how given the way the base was done and waterproofing. Can water travel through grout (albeit very slowly) like it can through concrete? Should the base have been sealed after grout was finished? It also can't be a significant amount of water as I haven't found any other issues as yet (house is about 3yrs old now) and it is used every day. Hoping that there are some possible solutions that don't involve redoing the room unless absolutely nessecary. Can use the other bathroom in the meantime. Re: White growth coming through grout in bathroom 2Jun 04, 2013 1:04 pm If it's growing I'd definitely say its mould. You don't have to have a leak to get mould. Where is the mould growing? Is it on a part of the floor that often gets wet/damp? Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: White growth coming through grout in bathroom 3Jun 04, 2013 1:19 pm HomeAngels If it's growing I'd definitely say its mould. You don't have to have a leak to get mould. Where is the mould growing? Is it on a part of the floor that often gets wet/damp? Interesting, figured it had to be related to water under the tiles. It's all in areas that never get wet unless mopped which is bugger all moisture anyway (plus windows are usually open or fan on). The shower base just has the darker grout which I assumed was due to be constantly exposed to water. There aren't any white growths/marks in that area at all. Re: White growth coming through grout in bathroom 4Jun 04, 2013 1:23 pm Hmmm Mould needs moisture/dampness to thrive so if it's not a spot that regularly gets wet then you may have a leak I would have no idea how to even start looking to see if there is a leak. Are there water marks on the ceiling below? Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: White growth coming through grout in bathroom 5Jun 04, 2013 1:28 pm Nope, can't find anything anywhere else which is why I asked if it was possible for water to travel through the grout over time. If it was a serious amount of water, I'd have found it somewhere else for sure. Re: White growth coming through grout in bathroom 6Jun 04, 2013 1:30 pm Grout is porous so I suppose in theory it is possible. Ive never heard of it though. I hope someone here can be better help than I was Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Hi When it rains in a particular direction water comes through the security door. It hits the main door and the bottom swells and jams. There is already a cover over the… 0 38438 Hi everyone, Have just put a shower in the laundry and after only using it 2-3 times have noticed staining on the grout. The tiles were glued onto a concrete wall after… 0 5447 Get some long brass machine screws and bolt right through the gate and put brass acorn nuts and washers on the other side. It will never come off 1 9070 |