Posted by Water damage can easily ruin your costly tile and glass surfaces in showers and kitchen. You must be wondering how something like water can cause your floors, showers and countertops to look stained, etched or rough! Well, it’s true, especially, if the damage has been done by hard water. In this article, we shall share information and solutions on what to do when you have water damage.
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How does Water Cause Damage in Showers and Kitchen and Solutions to Fix them:
Water leaking from shower doors:
Problems:
This leaking water accumulates on the tile and grout below. Eventually, over a period of time, this collection water can etch the tile below if it is hard water, or form water stains in case of being soft water. If still left ignored, this can deteriorate the tile and grout and cause cracks. Mold and mildew will form on the damp tile and grout and then quickly spread on all the surrounding surfaces.
Solutions:
- This kind of damage can be rectified by using a water stain remover that will not cause etching on the surface.
- You can try using a deep-penetrating cleaner that helps to remove the stains at the root level.
- Next, you will need to repair the cracked tile and grout that have been damaged due to the leakage.
- You can use a two-part epoxy/resin adhesive to fix the cracks and then proceed to sealing the grout with a titanium-based two-part epoxy/resin sealer.
- Lastly, you should seal the tile with a topical resin-based tile sealer.
- This will fix the damage, but to prevent further leakage from shower doors, you need to use a good-quality shower door enclosure such as seals, sweeps or thresholds.
Water Damage on Shower Floors:
Problems:
If you get hard water in your taps or if water is leaking from your taps inside the shower, then you may have water stagnant on your shower floor that may lead to corrosion, etching and damage of the tile and grout. Moreover, as your shower is always damp due to leakage, it will show signs of mold and mildew development. If you ignore this leakage and stagnant water on the floor, it will eventually crack the tile and grout.
Solutions:
- Firstly, you need to clean the hard water or water stains from the floor. This can be done using a water stain remover as explained above.
- Next, you need to fix the cracks in the tile and grout.
- Then, seal the grout separately and then seal the tile.
- This way, once the tile has been sealed, you will find a water-proof barrier on the surface that prevents the water from soaking in the tile and grout and cause any deterioration.
Water Damage in Kitchens due to Leakage from Drain Pipes:
Problems:
Water pipes in the drain may have a small amount of leakage, that may not seem problematic to you, but in the long run, if the leakage is not rectified, this will accumulate on the flooring below or splash on the surrounding walls. This will result in humid walls and conditions, leading to mold, mildew or even termite infestation. Eventually, the tile and grout may crack and water will start seeping under the tile, weakening the flooring structure. Below are the solutions to these floor water damages.
Solutions:
- This problem can be rectified by first fixing the pipes that are leaking. You may have to call a plumber to seal the pipes well or install new ones.
- Next, check the surrounding walls and tiles for mold and mildew.
- Wipe them clean and allow enough fresh air for ventilation. This will prevent mold and mildew from spreading.
- Remove water stains from walls and floors with a water stain remover as explained above.
- Then, proceed to fixing the cracks and then sealing the grout and tile.
Water Damage on Kitchen Countertops due to Water Splashes from the Sink:
Problems:
Hard water splashes on the tile next to the sink can cause etching and corroding of the countertop surface. Over a period of time, these splashes appear whitish and eventually deteriorate the tile and grout.
Solutions:
- The kitchen countertops have to be cleaned with a water stain remover just like you used for a floor water stain remover.
- Next, you will have to use an adhesive to fix the cracks in tile and grout.
- It is then recommended to seal the grout and then seal the tile.
- Restoring the countertops this way, will prevent water damage in the future, as you cannot prevent water splashes on the surface. What you can do is to prevent damage from those water splashes. A tile sealant will create a hydrophilic layer on the tile, thereby preventing further water absorption or etching.
These are the common solutions to water damage in kitchen and showers. You can try using pFOkUS products, as they have been formulated keeping these common issues in mind.Water Damage