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Ceramic Tile and Grout Videos
Ceramic Tile and Grout Tips
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Jason Pettinato Tile
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Ceramic Tile Mold & Mildew Removal
Tile Mildew has been approached in the past as "how do I get rid of it" which generally is some type of cleaning product claiming to remove mold and mildew. The key is to have a head start and use installation products that can help deter growth. We can start with a backer board that resists any type of mold and mildew growth. Using the conventional mortar set method has no protection, especially on shower floors. You can seal the grout but that will not cure the problem. It will just keep the mildew from getting a bite onto the grout.
Shower floors generally get hit the hardest and is a common starting location. Why? Because a moderately used shower may never really dry out completely before it's next use. The tile and grout may be dry on top, but will retain water and moisture in the mortar bed. A typical shower floor consists of a hot mop or asphalt layer which serves as the waterproof membrane to keep the water from leaking onto the outside floors. Then you will see a mortar bed of approx 1 1/4" thick that has been sloped to the drain. Thinset is applied and tile is installed. Here's what happens. Any water that does not go down the drain is soaked through the grout into the mortar bed which actually wicks up the moisture like a sponge. Now that water and moisture is under the surface which will need to either exit by going down 3 tiny little weep holes located where the hot mop meets the drain, or evaporate by going back up through the grout. If the grout never dries out completely, then you just lost one exit strategy. Now those weep holes can get clogged. Ask my ceramictilepro customers. All it takes is some mortar to plug up a weep hole which is about 1/8" max in diameter or a sixteen penny nail. This is a haven for mold and mildew. Keeping the shower door shut after use acts like a sealed box and traps moisture even more. No wonder why there is red stuff growing on my shower floor.
I have found a great product that no longer needs hot mop, mortar, and weep holes to allow moisture and mildew to escape. It's made by Schluter.com and is a great system that does a fantastic job of not allowing any water to soak deeper than the thinset which bonds the tile. This gives any water and moisture below the tile a chance to dry out before the next use. Combined with a backer board and grout that have ingredients to help prevent mold and mildew growth and you have a huge edge in your favor!
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cleaning and repair work by ceramictilepro.com
cleaning and repair work by ceramictilepro.com
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