Thanks to Our Bedford Caulking Services This Shower Was Completely Restored

January 31, 2022

Efflorescence is a common problem seen in showers. This chalky buildup occurs when water seeps beneath the shower floor. After seeping in, the water dissolves the minerals on the substrate, and they are drawn out of the small pores on the grout. What most people don't know is that efflorescence is a symptom of an excess moisture problem that can cause severe water damage.


For this reason, it's best to seek professional help as soon as it shows up in your shower. We recently received a call from a Bedford resident who noticed efflorescence had accumulated on the grout lines in her master bathroom's shower floor. At first, she could easily remove the substance from the dark grout lines on the floor, but this task became increasingly difficult over time.

After months of trying different cleaners, scrubbing methods, and homemade recipes that were recommended to her and seeing no results, she went online to seek advice. Shortly after, she learned that efflorescence is a sign of water seeping beneath the tiles. Not only does this buildup affect the shower's appearance, but it can also compromise the integrity of the surface and lead to costly repairs. Concerned, the homeowner decided to seek professional help. Since the websites she had found suggested re-caulking the joints to prevent water from leaking into the floor, she decided to search for caulking services in Bedford, NY. She found our website within the top results, and after seeing some of the testimonials and reviews left by previous customers, she called to schedule a free in-home evaluation.


On the agreed date, we went to the customer's home to inspect the shower and offer the best possible solution to the problem at hand. The shower had a beautiful black ceramic tile pattern on the floor. The grout lines were also black, so we easily noticed the efflorescence problem the client had mentioned over the phone. Efflorescence usually means the caulk and grout lines are failing to prevent water from seeping into the floor. Additionally, there were some hard water stains on the shower's walls.

In order to find out if the damage was severe, we tested the state of the caulk and grout lines by pouring water on the floor. We noticed most of the water immediately seeped into the joints. This meant the caulk on the shower's joints and the grout on the floor needed to be replaced.


After we finished the inspection, we concluded that even though the joints needed to be replaced, the shower didn't have severe water damage. To solve the problem, we offered the customer a thorough caulking service. We would remove the efflorescence and perform the necessary repairs to prevent water from seeping into the floor. We also offered to apply epoxy ColorSeal to seal the joints on the shower floor. The homeowner agreed to our proposal and scheduled another appointment to get the job done.

Later that week, we went back to the customer's home to restore the shower. We started by soaking the floor with our proprietary cleaner. This would help dissolve the efflorescence. Shortly after, we removed the residue with a high-speed scrubber until the floor was free from the chalky substance. We also repeated the same process to remove the hard water stains on the walls. Next, we removed the damaged grout lines from the shower floor, and re-caulked and re-grouted the surface. To finish, we sealed the shower's joints and grout lines with our flagship sealant, epoxy ColorSeal. Not only will this sealant prevent water from seeping into the floor, but it will also keep it protected from water, mold, mildew, and other harmful external agents for days to come. The client chose black ColorSeal to better match the color of the floor's tiles and give them a brand-new appearance.

After we finished the job, we let the homeowner see the results. She was happy to see the efflorescence on the floor and stains on the walls were gone. She thanked us for a job well done and assured us she would call back for maintenance. Prior to leaving, we gave the client some tips to help her keep the shower in top condition. First, we advised her to stay away from harsh cleaners and to use a pH-neutral cleaner like Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner instead. This cleaner is safe for both tile and grout. It also contains ingredients that can help inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. Second, we recommended keeping the shower ventilated in addition to using a dry cloth to remove the excess water after every shower. Finally, we reminded the client to check on her sealant. To do this, the homeowner should place a few drops of water on the shower's grout lines. If the water is absorbed, it means the joints must be re-sealed.

When your showers are plagued by efflorescence, make sure to contact Sir Grout Westchester's leading experts in the field of hard surface restoration. We have the necessary tools and expertise to fulfill your needs. Call us at (914) 592-5902 or fill out the "Request a Quote" form on this website to schedule a free evaluation today. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with our latest news and promotions.

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