powder room ceramic - mold/mildew???

[Jenise]

Hi,

We've been in our home for 1 1/2 year. A couple months ago we cleaned the ceramic tile floor in our powder room (1st floor, above ground) with a damp cloth (w/only water) for the frist time. A few days later we noticed intermittent discoloration in the grout lines. Now the discoloration seems to be getting worse...some areas look like orange-green-ish mildew. We're puzzled because all we used was a damp cloth to clean and before that cleaning the grout was fine.

We have the same tile in our laundry room and bathroom; we've cleaned both of those rooms (w/vinegar & water) w/no problems.

Unfortunately, I have no info. on what type grout or sealer the builder used. Should we try to bleach & water clean the grout? We're wondering if moisture has somehow gotten UNDER the tiles as is causing this grout discoloration.

Your thoughts?

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[duneslider]

Any chance you can post some pictures? Sometimes it helps to see things.
Any other details you can give us? Size of joint, where the discoloration is happening, sanded or unsanded grout, color of grout, near shower or toilet?

I would avoid using vinegar and water, that should be saved as a last resort treatment. I would first look into finding a tile and grout appropriate cleaner. You can find them at most home centers in the tile section, you probably won't find them at supermarkets or in the "cleaning" section.

I would try a grout cleaner, let it dwell for a minute or two, and then try scrubbing with a clean floor brush or scrub pad, nothing to stiff.

See if it comes up and stays away.

[Davestone]

I agree with Bryan,could be a leak,or something spilled,never know.

[Jenise]

I'm posting some pictures that hopefully will show the intermittent discoloration. The tile is in a powder room w/only a toilet & sink. It doesn't get a lot of traffic and I'm sure nothing has spilled onto the floor.

Based on the pictures, is it possible the toilet could be leaking from the base and getting underneath the tile??

We have a tile & grout cleaner given to us by the "Stanley Steemer" folk. Ingredients: nonionic surfactants, isopropyl alcohol, fragrance, dye, water. Is it ok to use that or should I get something else??

[Jenise]

wow - the pictures show accurately....here's another picture.

We found a couple tubes of "ColorFast Tile & Grout Caulk - nonsanded" that the builders must have used. Does this help?

[SABoyt]

Jenice, you need to get a different cleaner that one is very neutral, like water. I have seen this look a hundred times on grout. Instead of the cleaner that you were given with someones advertising on it, mix some ammonia and hot water, 50-50. Mop this onto the grout lines and let is dwell for 10 minutes. Then scrub lightly with a nylon brush. It is possible that the toilet water line is leaking and allowing water from behind the wall to make its way down the grout line. I would check this out by removing the base board.

Chances are after 1 1/2 years, you have very little sealer remaining on the grout unless the builder is different than most. After you have cleaned the floor with the ammonia, if there are still spots remaining, use the vinegar and water (this should not be used as a regular cleaner on any grout as it will degrade the quality of the grout and cause splotchy colored grout). Clorax bleach will also make a mess of the tile, so don't do it.

If this does not work well enough for you, there are professional grade grout cleaners out there that we can direct you to.

Also, put some water on some of your grout lines throughout the house and see if they change color. If so, you need to reapply sealer.

[doitright]

Hi Jenise, Welcome! :)

Since the problematic area is in the toilet room, I would be concerned that there is a possible leak at the wax ring. Steve's cleaning suggestions are the best way to start. I always recommend to TEST first.

Usually a toilet leak is concentrated only around the toilet itself (depending what's under the tile).

The tubes of caulk should have only been used at perimeter corners of the shower & tub tile (or at the shower curb and tub/floor). Just in case, try poking at the grout in your powder room with your finger nail or a sharp object to see if it it hard or soft.

[Jenise]

THANK YOU all for your quick replies! We'll do the amonia-water cleaning this weekend and I'll report back on the results.

Thank you again!