Need suggestion for sealing grout to prevent from staining.

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi Folks,

New bathroom. Not to happy with the way our contractor handled the grout in the tiled niche and the quartz threshold. Wasn’t nuts about the contractor as a whole, but that’s another story. Anyway, looking for a solution of sealing these grout lines so the don’t stain as easily. Right now, after a couple weeks of showers, the grout starts to turn orange. Cleaning with Tilex or Similar seems to whiten the grout up nicely.

I’m hoping you all can suggest a solution that will prevent the grout from turning orangish (staining) as I fear that over time, I won’t be able to restore the grout to its white state. The contractor claims he sealed the (with a standard grout sealer) but Is there something better? Maybe paint on a coating (epoxy?) or something?

Note: I did convince the contractors to use epoxy grout for the glass tile and that worked out nicely, but the fact that I had to tell them about epoxy grout should have told me something...

Thanks in advance

Greg

Featured Answer

Tanya Shelly

5 years ago

I have an apartment with a similar issue. I spray Tilex daily shower spray after showering and it keeps the orange mold away. I do not know if there are long term effects on the grout but it works.

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Comments (9)

User
5 years ago
Where I live, Orange/red is bacteria caused by standing water. Does the shelf stay wet?
gregthec thanked User
gregthec
Original Author
5 years ago
The shelf probably doesn’t dry quickly enough. It is on a slant to spill off the water. I’m pretty confident if it were better “sealed”, it would reduce the problem.
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gregthec
Original Author
5 years ago
The discoloration only shows up on the grout, not on the quartz or marble or whatever the shelf is made of. Thanks.
millworkman
5 years ago
Jim Mat is on point. Here is the explanation.
gregthec thanked millworkman
krissie55
5 years ago
Always squeegee after showers and keep a fan blowing in bathroom 24/7 to keep it dry to avoid mold. Keep shower door or curtain open enough to allow good air circulation.
gregthec thanked krissie55
jeri
5 years ago
@krissie55 Do you mean an exhaust fan? Do people really run these 24/7?
gregthec thanked jeri
krissie55
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I use an inexpensive oscillating (12") fan directed toward the shower and sits on the counter. This keeps air circulating and prevents mold.
gregthec thanked krissie55
ceilsan32
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Rather than running your exhaust fan 24/7, just turn it on before showering, wipe shower curtain liner, top of tub area, walls/grout lines as dry as possible, leave fan run another 30 minutes. Better yet, purchase a humidity sensing fan that automatically activates as needed.