What is this and how do I get rid of it?

[Batt1eRatt1e]

Hello everyone! I'm a Chaplain Assistant in the US Army and at my Chapel we've developed some white nasty gunk in between some of the tile. I've tried cleaning it with different cleaners, now I'm trying CLR. Each time it gets cleaned up it reappears in a week or so and it spreads. Anyone know for sure what this is (possibly calcium), why does it keep coming back and how do you get rid of it permanently? I know nothing about tile and I'm not a handyman at all. I'm at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Thank you!

[cx]

Welcome, Battle. Please change that permanent signature line to a first name for us to use.

I'll move you to the forum where the folks hang out who are most likely to be able to help.

[Houston Remodeler]

Joshua,

Welcome to the forum,

If you put your glasses on and look reaaaallllll close, do you see tiny crystals? Or a smearly liquidy ooze?

[Batt1eRatt1e]

Houston, its more crystal like and stinky. I've been using a wire brush to scrub it out of the grout. Keeps coming back and worse too.

[Houston Remodeler]

It seems like you have efflorescence.

Without demolishing the floor and re-doing it properly, all that is left is to replace the grout with Spectralock or Fusion Pro.

You should be able to handle such a project in an afternoon.

[Batt1eRatt1e]

Great. I will have to place a work order and hope that this will get fixed. This sounds expensive and it's in several places throughout the chapel. I personally won't have to do it, but the maintenance people will. If we have the funds I guess...

[gsr]

There are chemical treatments like: http://www.aldonchem.com/pr-efflorescence-treatment.htm available as well.