Efflorescence in shower floor?

[rob]

Hi Guys,

I have a customers shower that has very bad effloescence build up (like white hard cristals) coming from the black grout. What is the best method to get rid of it, and how do you stop it coming back if possible? I have tryed to take the grout out to re-grout, but it is like rock hard!! and wont budge! I think the tiles & grout must be 5 years+ old.

Should I take to it with an acid? I have some Aqua Mix Phosphoric Acid Substitute - should I give this a go? Appreciate some help.

Has anybody used Aqua Mix EFF-EX? should I try this maybe?

Thanks

 

[jay]

hi dont know the products you mentioned try hydracluric acid watered down 6to 1 do a small test spot first realy need to know what type of tile you have /// sounds more like calcium build up could try c.l.r if you can get it there by the way acid will bleach the color out of grout be carful:8:

 

[david campbell]

would it not be better raking out the grout and re-grouting using an epoxy!

 

[DHTiling]

You will find all you need to know here>>>>> http://www.globalsafe.com.au/What is Efflorescence.pdf

 

[rob]

sounds more like calcium build up could try c.l.r if you can get it there by the way acid will bleach the color out of grout be carful:8:

It could be calcium build up, I will have another look today. Will not matter if the grout gets bleached as I will colour seal once dane anyway. Thanks for your input

 

[rob]

You will find all you need to know here>>>>> http://www.globalsafe.com.au/What is Efflorescence.pdf

Thanks Dave, I found this last night from one of your other post a while ago. It is great info to have. Thanks

 

[rob]

OK, if it is calcium build up then, what is the best way to deal with that?

 

[rob]

would it not be better raking out the grout and re-grouting using an epoxy!

Mate the grout is hard as rock!! I tryed to take it out and it just wont budge!!

 

[jay]

rob read the article again calcium is mentioned use acid as suggested:8:

 

[rob]

rob read the article again calcium is mentioned use acid as suggested:8:

Used the acid - still no budging!!!

 

[jay]

scrape back as much as pos then try acid you may have one of those jobs were its quicker to remove tiles and start again:8:

 

[enduro]

If it is calcium build up then you need to advice the customer to get a water softener fitted to there system. I tiled a bathroom and the customer had a limestone shower tray, she had a nightmare trying to clean it, i spoke to a plumber who said she had very hard water (high calcium content) he fitted a softner and problem solved.

 

[rob]

I feel like walking away from the job. Only thing is I have pulled out some of the grout already! Don't want to just do a skim re-grout job either as I hate people that do them!

 

[jay]

they call it experiance :8: you live and learn :8: