Shower - Water on Grout

[pr2003]

We've only had this new tile shower for four months on our 2nd Floor. Seeking guidance on the reason behind the constant presence of water at the designated "Red" spot (picture attached). There is no water in the indicated green areas which are exactly near that red highlighted spot. Is there a possibility that the grout on the shower floor is leaking? If so, how can we address the issue? We used unsanded grout.


Thanks !

 

[GReynolds929]

Did you seal the grout and tile?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[pr2003]

Yes, the grout and tile were sealed. However I do notice a slight crack line when I zoom the picture and not sure whether that is the problem.

 

[CENTRALFL]

Does the water pool there? Or is it that the grout stays wet in that area?

Is the red area flat with the green area? As in, if you put a level across that edge, are the red and green areas at the same level?

Do you know how it was waterproofed with? What was used on the shower pan floor? Deck mud/dry pack or is it a foam pan?

 

[Chucky_ott]

As centralfl asks, how was your shower built? If it's a PVC liner and mortar bed, it's possible the mortar is saturated and water is seeping out at the joint.

What you have to realise is that tile and grout are not meant to be waterproof. There must be a waterproofing membrane under the tile. That could be products like Kerdi, RedGard, or a PVC liner (for the floor). With the PVC liner, you will have a sloped mortar bed that is slightly porous. Water that gets though the tile will saturate the mortar and eventually hit the PVC liner and flow to the weepholes in the drain. So that joint might stay wet for a long time if the shower is use regularly.

But knowing how your shower was constructed is key to understanding if what you are seeing is a problem or not.

 

[Fitter30]

Is that grout or silicone where wall meets floor?

 

[pr2003]

As centralfl asks, how was your shower built? If it's a PVC liner and mortar bed, it's possible the mortar is saturated and water is seeping out at the joint.

What you have to realise is that tile and grout are not meant to be waterproof. There must be a waterproofing membrane under the tile. That could be products like Kerdi, RedGard, or a PVC liner (for the floor). With the PVC liner, you will have a sloped mortar bed that is slightly porous. Water that gets though the tile will saturate the mortar and eventually hit the PVC liner and flow to the weepholes in the drain. So that joint might stay wet for a long time if the shower is use regularly.

But knowing how your shower was constructed is key to understanding if what you are seeing is a problem or not.

Thanks centralfl and Chucky_ott! Yes, our shower is built with PVC liner and mortar bed and the shower is used daily. You mention "joint might stay wet for a long time if the shower is used regularly". Does that mean it is normal for that one corner to stay wet and it is not a problem? If not, is it OK to put silicone caulk on the corner?

 

[pr2003]

Is that grout or silicone where wall meets floor?

That is grout

 

[CENTRALFL]

There are two schools of thought. Some prefer grout at the changes of plane, like where the floor meets the wall to keep things consistent, though you run the risk of cracking of the house settles any. Others prefer color matched silicone to avoid cracking. To me preferred is color matched silicone.

It could be a few things. Since it's PVC liner, you'll have a pre-slope, on top of which lays the liner. Then on top of that lays the final layer of mud. It's possible one of the layers ended up a little lower in that area, and that where the water accumulates before (hopefully) continuing on its way down to the drain's weep holes. It's possible that area ended up with less than ideal slope and it's just draining a little slower.

Do you know if a flood test was carried out to ensure no leaks? Something like 24 hrs of no water level change.

Either way, you could try siliconing the corner but it's possible the lower spot is below the tile meaning it could still keep wet under the silicone until it eventually drains out.