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To Grout or Not to Grout

Stan | Posted in General Discussion on July 26, 2007 06:01am

A couple of hardwood floor planks in our bedroom near the master bath have become discolored and started to separate. I went under the house after work today and it looks like I have problems. Please see the attached photo’s. The pipe closest to the damage is the hot water pipe.

Translating the damage as if I were standing in the shower looking at the hot water valve, the damage is between 8″ to 19″ left of the valve. Then the damage comes 10″ into the shower and 11″ towards our bedroom. Going back to the pictures there is no damage on the other side of the support beam. On image 27 the damage between the support beam and the pipes is under our bathroom. Damage to the right of the pipes is under our bedroom.

While under the house I had my wife run the shower to see if I could see any moisture develop. I could not. The toilet and sink got ruled out as they reside on the other side of the support beam as does the shower drain.

Our home was built in 1960. What I am thinking is that the shower / bathroom tile needs to be re-grouted and resealed. What do you all think? If so, what am I getting myself into if I do it myself? Can any of you recommend a reference book on the matter? Or am I looking at replacing all the tile in the shower and bathroom floor? I would appreciate any comments or additional questions.

As always thanks for your insight.

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Replies

  1. peteshlagor | Jul 26, 2007 06:48am | #1

    Guess who's got a bathroom remodel coming up?

     



    Edited 7/25/2007 11:48 pm ET by peteshlagor

  2. Hoohuli | Jul 26, 2007 07:17am | #2

    I'm in the same boat and demo'd the room back in Mar. Now ready to Laticrete and begin the new tile installation. I'm really slow on my own place (see post question on Laticrete). My shower began leaking through the tile and took awhile after our quake over here to see any water. Then it got worse very fast. Never did really see the cracks in the grout, none in the tile, so I just jackhammered the pan out and started over. Good luck, it's not that hard to do, you just need the time to do it.

    Never fear the want of business. A man who qualifies himself well for his calling, never fails of employment.
    Thomas Jefferson
    3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)
  3. rez | Jul 26, 2007 07:17am | #3

     View Image

    1. Stan | Jul 26, 2007 07:32am | #4

      I see my pictures on your message but don't see your message.

      1. rez | Jul 26, 2007 07:36am | #5

        There was no message. The files you posted are too large for the dialup patrons of BT and those with older computers so I resized the pictures for ease of access.

        Cheers

         

        1. Stan | Jul 26, 2007 08:17am | #7

          Thanks sooo much Rez!!!!

      2. peteshlagor | Jul 26, 2007 07:56am | #6

        Rez is sometimes this website's Nice Guy.  He does these favors for many without the appreciation he's really due.

        Now other times...

         

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