More efflorescense

[DIYDr]

I've read John's write-up in the liberry several times. Is grout considered an acid senstive surface? Will Restore be safe to use? Its Polyblend colored gout on a shower floor with ever worsening efflorescence. It was sealed with 511 Impregnator by Miracle. I contacted them - they say nothing will remove the sealer. My thinset was mixed with a latex addative which may be complicating my problem according to the article. The problem is limited to the grout lines - once brown - now powdery white.

Todd

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[doitright]

Hi Todd :)

Could you post a picture?

Did you build/install the shower?

Is there prepitch under the liner?

What did you use as a liner?

We need to try to find out what is causing the efflorescence, before we try to remove it.

[DIYDr]

I'm the novice builder thanks to lots of help from this site. You guys are always great about responding.

The subfloor is sloped appropriately under PVC membrane that runs across the floor and up the walls with a solid water test before proceeding. The surface drains well. There is one small grout crack that has emerged at the inside damn/corner on a verticle surface which could be a source of increased water to substrates below. The problem is uniform across the floor and did not originate in any one location. The installation is less than a year old. It appears the white color is below the sealer layer. The grout is blotchy white as hopefully the photos dem. and in the edges are growing white mountains of material.

We have hard water but use a softener but still get a powdery residue on surfaces where water evaporates. Its an easy wipe off usually as opposed to the situation without the softner. A trial of CLR made no difference; nor did white vinegar.

Thanks as always,
Todd

[doitright]

Hi Todd :)

I'm at odds with this one. Maybe it's possible that the same hard water that you used it the cement mix is part of what's causing this problem.

How much water did you use in your dry pack? What was your formula with sand and cement? Did you put gravel over the weep holes in the drain?

[DIYDr]

Deck mud was mixed per John's published instructions with Portland cement and sand (can't remember the ratio now). I was careful with that but it was mixed too wet. Definitely didn't forget pea gravel in the weep holes.

So try Restore?

Todd

[doitright]

Hi Todd :)

At this point I would try to scrape off what you can. The problem with efflorescence is it can continue by adding additional water. Stone Tech Restore is an option after the majority is removed.

Do your grout joints darken when wet? If possible I would try to let the pan dry out as much as possible. Remove the efflorescence, neutralize, and let dry. Follow up with additional coats of sealer.

[DIYDr]

The pan looks great when wet - the efflorescence is hidden as the joints take on water. Water beaded up originally on the grout after sealing but not for long. I will proceed to clean it up dry as best as possible then try Restore.

I don't understand the neutralize comment. I realize its an acid product - so it will describe how to neutralize?

Will the acid affect the colored grout - though it looks pretty bad now asit is.

Todd

[doitright]

Hi Todd :)

I'm not sure whether or not the directions call for neutralizing. Anytime an acidic product is used on a cementitious product (or natural stone), it should be neutralized. A 33% solution of ammonia & water can be used.

[DIYDr]

John:

Thanks for all your comments. I'll order the Restore and give it a try.

As an additional note - After some more thought I think my problem stems from my water. The fiberglasss shower that I tore out to put in this current one suffered from a great deal of corrosion to the metal frame. Water was leaking into the frame and a similar white powder material was ever present at the site of the corrosion.

Will any sealer make the gout impenatrable to water? Should the grout lines not darken when wet? Any comments on 911 Impregnater. I put 2 coats on the whole shower and if anything over-applied according to the directions.

Thanks again for all the help and quick replies. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Todd

[doitright]

Hi Todd :)

Now you're on the same page as me when I inquired about the water earlier. :nod:

Regarding your sealer question. Typically sealed grout will not darken. There are times after use that they will begin to darken (or wet out). This will only be at the surface only, and will usually totally dry up in a relative short period of time. If it doesn't, it's probably ready for another coat.