New Marble Smells Moldy

[Columbsterdam]

I bought Chinese jade green marble for my bathroom and shower. It's one inch squares on one-square-foot backing. It came in one foot square cardboard boxes which were damp and had a strong moldy smell. My contractor was in a hurry of course and decided the odor was all in the damp cardboard, not the tile, so we kept it. Now the tile is all down, looks terrific, but the bathroom smells as moldy as the box. Will this dissipate over time? Will it WORSEN over time in the moist bathroom? Any treatment for the mold? I have not sealed it yet.

Thanks,

Rob COLUMBSTERDAM

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[Davestone]

This could be tricky since green marbles sometimes react to water,and or thinsets.But since it's small pieces,it shouldn't warp, and end up looking like potato chips.I would first check with the manuf. as to the sensitivity of the tiles.Hopefully the setting of them was in accordance with the manuf. recommendations....such as not using thinset, if the tile manuf. says.If it's okay with the manuf.,you might try a bleach and water washing and wetvac it up.I would say doing it before grouting would be okay, as long as you're careful not to go walking around on it too much, and breaking the bond.i think washing it before grouting would be beneficial since the moldiness may be in the paper backing,mold feeds on cellulose, like paper.A soft brush would help.

[doitright]

Hi Dave :)

It sounds like it's already installed and grouted, but not sealed.

Hi Rob, Welcome! :)

I would try as Dave suggested, with the bleach and water and a wet vac (and agitate with a brush). It's very possible that some of the odor is in the surface (because the tiles were stacked in the box).

Most green marble's are not suitable for use in a shower. I hope this doesn't prove to be problematic for you.

[Davestone]

Oh, yeah prolly already grouted. :confused:

[Columbsterdam]

Hello, Dave and Doitright -- Thanks for your posts a while ago. I left my moldy tiles behind while traveling out of the country for a month and am thrilled to report that when I returned the moldy smell had gone away on its own. Here's hoping it doesn't return once I finish the install and turn the water on.

Doitright -- what makes most green marble unsuitable for showers and what problems should I be watching out for as a result?

Thanks again for your earlier comments.

Rob

[doitright]

Hi Rob :)

That's great news!

I have seen green marble spall in wet applications. Especially on lower sections of the wall and the shower pan.

[masterbath]

Rob,
I am in kind of the same situation - green marble dilema. I have found a few things on it but I have yet to test mine as DoIt told me to. Plan to do that test this weekend and pray heavily.

here are some links on the subject

http://www.ntc-stone.com/tips.htm

http://www.ttmac.com/Q&A.html

At any rate, I don't look forward to using epoxy based materials.

[Columbsterdam]

Scott -- my installer set the tile with Laticrete Latapoxy, and so far at least the tile has not warped.

I'll be watching for weird effects once I turn on the shower....

Good luck.

Rob

[masterbath]

I found this linked off of John's site here. I am going to see if my local HD has some and try it.

Green & Black Marble
Thin-Set Mortar
http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/ProductCatalog/SettingMaterialsDIY/SpecialtyMortars/greenblabkmarble.aspx?user=diy&lang=en