Fixing up grout in my shower?

[shakalaka]

I had some guys do two of our showers about a year back. Showers are fully tiled including the floor and we noticed small pieces missing and just general discolouration of the grout that we had. Original installed re-did it twice but after a few months it kept happening. A couple years later wife would keep moaning about how bad it looked so I had a new company just re-do the whole thing. Paid them $800 cash for the two showers and they re-did the whole base part and said they used the best grout there is so shouldn't be issues. It's starting to look like shit again. Not necessarily pieces missing, but just general discolouration and weird shit. Not sure what the issue is but if there are pieces missing just put some transparent silicone to seal it and call it a day. It sure is fucking annoying AF.

[JRSC00LUDE]

Never ever ever do a shower or tub surround without using epoxy grout and if the installer puts up a fuss about how difficult and unnecessary it is - fire him. Never stains, never discolors, never cracks. I have 5 year old light grey grout that looks like it was installed yesterday.

[ExtraSlow]

Wife was talking about getting our shower re-done. Then obviously that turned into redoing the entire bathroom. RIP to $50k.

[bjstare]

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I had some guys do two of our showers about a year back. Showers are fully tiled including the floor and we noticed small pieces missing and just general discolouration of the grout that we had. Original installed re-did it twice but after a few months it kept happening. A couple years later wife would keep moaning about how bad it looked so I had a new company just re-do the whole thing. Paid them $800 cash for the two showers and they re-did the whole base part and said they used the best grout there is so shouldn't be issues. It's starting to look like shit again. Not necessarily pieces missing, but just general discolouration and weird shit. Not sure what the issue is but if there are pieces missing just put some transparent silicone to seal it and call it a day. It sure is fucking annoying AF.

Sounds like it wasn't epoxy, and may have not even been sealed?

I once used a tile setter who told me we didn't need to seal the light colored (non-epoxy) grout on our kitchen floor. Obviously, he was a moron and I didn't listen to him.

[JRSC00LUDE]

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Sounds like it wasn't epoxy, and may have not even been sealed?

I once used a tile setter who told me we didn't need to seal the light colored (non-epoxy) grout on our kitchen floor. Obviously, he was a moron and I didn't listen to him.

Sealer is only a temp band-aid also.

[bjstare]

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Sealer is only a temp band-aid also.

Yes for sure.

[shakalaka]

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Sounds like it wasn't epoxy, and may have not even been sealed?

I once used a tile setter who told me we didn't need to seal the light colored (non-epoxy) grout on our kitchen floor. Obviously, he was a moron and I didn't listen to him.

So our first grout I am unsure what it was. But the shower cost an arm and a leg so I'd assume it was the 'good shit'. But I know for a fact after re-done the used epoxy grout and it's still fucking discolouring and shit. It's not as bad as before but it's definitely not perfect as day one.

[dirtsniffer]

We used a Fiora shower base in our ensuite reno in order to not have to deal with grout on the floor. Sounded like such a headache. Also hated the flex of acrylic pans. Have bene really happy with it so far.

[JRSC00LUDE]

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So our first grout I am unsure what it was. But the shower cost an arm and a leg so I'd assume it was the 'good shit'. But I know for a fact after re-done the used epoxy grout and it's still fucking discolouring and shit. It's not as bad as before but it's definitely not perfect as day one.

Then it isn't epoxy. It doesn't happen and when dirty, is easily cleanable.

[bjstare]

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Then it isn't epoxy. It doesn't happen and when dirty, is easily cleanable.

That's not always true. My parents have a shower that's done in epoxy, and it has discolored and it is not cleanable. Epoxy is significantly better than traditional grout, but it isn't perfect and won't stay clean forever.

[shakalaka]

Agreed. I like the look of all tiled showers which is why spent the extra $ and went that route, but the hassle isn't worth it. @dirstsniffer

And yup, it's definitely epoxy. I have boxes of excess grout sitting in the basement that says it is epoxy.

[suntan]

It's probably just dirty soap. Get some grout cleaner, takes it right off.

[msommers]

Dumb question but how do they regrout the tile? As in, how do they remove the old grout and keep the tile? Or do you need new tile?

[ExtraSlow]

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We used a Fiora shower base in our ensuite reno in order to not have to deal with grout on the floor. Sounded like such a headache. Also hated the flex of acrylic pans. Have bene really happy with it so far.

I like the looks of that. Actually, that whole shower looks pretty nice. I'll take it.

[shakalaka]

I gotta tell our cleaner to put her back into it next time with the floor. lol.

They basically scraped off the old grout with scrapers and blades and what not. Cleaned it all up and then re-grouted it.

I have a steam shower and one of the tilers was saying maybe that is fucking with the grout in some way...even though don't think it should. There are no issues with the wall grout all around, just the base.

[JRSC00LUDE]

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And yup, it's definitely epoxy. I have boxes of excess grout sitting in the basement that says it is epoxy.

That's crazy. Mine is clean as new and I am not the most regular housekeeper in town, it gets surface discolouring but wipes off like nothing.