How to regrout bathroom shower tiles?

[flynn16]

Hello,

we have noticed some movement in our shower floor resulting in the grout showing signs of stress and eventually cracking away now allowing water underneath. The sub floor underneath doesn’t look to have any damage and the water proofing has held up. 

we’ve tried to regrout once the area was dry but looks like the tile needs to be reglued first. Today I noticed water seeping through the grout at the other side of the shower? 

we only have one bathroom so advice on how we can either reglue/regrout or add a shower base into an already tiled bathroom?

Outside  of shower area the tiles are all fine 

1:First tile that was showing signs of seepage/grout damage

2: area that is undamaged outside of shower 

3: area that seepage has started

 4: whole shower area. Seepage now been seen at entry side 

 

thanks 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @flynn16. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about shower tiles.

Since you've noticed the grout cracking and signs of water penetration, the first step is to remove all the grout within the shower base. If the tiles themselves are loose, you may need to reglue them using a tile adhesive. Be sure to clean the surface thoroughly before applying the adhesive to ensure a strong bond.

Once the tiles are secure, you can regrout the area, making sure to seal the grout properly once it’s cured to prevent future water seepage. If you're unsure about removing and reapplying the grout yourself, or if the damage is extensive, it might be a good idea to contact a professional tiler to ensure the job is done correctly and that no further water damage occurs. I'd encourage you to remove all the grout as it is deteriorating far quicker than it should. You might also like to discuss the use of epoxy grout, but I'd leave that up to the professionals as it is more difficult to apply than standard grout.

If the movement and cracking continue despite reglueing and regrouting, there could be an issue with the shower floor’s underlying structure, and you might want to consider installing a new shower base as a more permanent solution. This will address the source of any water infiltration, protecting the integrity of the rest of the bathroom.

Here's a helpful guide: How to grout tiles.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[flynn16]

Hi Mitchell,

thanks for your help. 

we will try this in the first instance and then go from there.

Is it possible to DIY the shower base with existing tiles?

[EricL]

Hello @flynn16 

If you are thinking of removing the tiles and replacing them yourself, it is technically possible. However, in the process of removal it's probable that the waterproofing membrane will get damaged. This means that all the tiles will need to be removed and a new coating of waterproofing will need to be applied by a registered waterproofing specialist. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric