Tile Grout going black (mould) in bathroom

dumdum · 5 Jul 2019

The grout in my bathroom is going black due to mould. I do open windows, but not always possible as always in a rush for work. There is a manually operated fan. It was tiled around 2011.

I have used two different products in different places. Mapei (B&Q) and Dunlop grout (from Selco) which has Microban. Both have failed over time. I also used TopTiles grout protector, that didn 't work either but when I complained, I was told it was my fault for using bleach (some bathroom cleaning products may contain an element of it). Even the silicone, has gone black (the manufacturer said my fault for not cleaning it!). I heard some trademen, say trims around bathtubs not a good idea....

Is there any solution?.

I need to break a bathroom a tiled bathroom area to fix a problem and then re-tile again. So want to know what I can do better next time.

Iamchamps · 5 Jul 2019

Open the windows and door. Ventilation is the key.

If you in a rush for work and have to close it then no matter what you do the problem will build up.

pete50 · 5 Jul 2019

Proper spray bleach is the answer if you can find it. Astonish antimould spray in the green bottle was the best I have found. But they have succumbed to the do gooders and the corrupt EU moguls and what they sell now, in a blue bottle, is complete rubbish. The old stuff did stink if you don't like the smell of bleach but only only until you have a shower.

It's all very well these "experts" saying "ventilation is the answer." but to ventilate properly in a smallish bathroom you would need to take a wall down. I have a window open and an extraction fan when I shower and I still get mould.

mikeey84 · 5 Jul 2019

pete50 said:
the do gooders and the corrupt EU moguls

Yes, these bastards making sure we dont poison ourselves and our families.

Bloody elf and safety, eh?

Harry Bloomfield · 5 Jul 2019

Change the fan for one which has a run timer, humidity sensor and a PIR, rather than your manual one. It will turn on when triggered by moisture, by someone going in the room, it will then continue to run until the humidity falls or the timer times out.

Good effective ventilation is the key.

Iamchamps · 6 Jul 2019

pete50 said:
Proper spray bleach is the answer if you can find it. Astonish antimould spray in the green bottle was the best I have found. But they have succumbed to the do gooders and the corrupt EU moguls and what they sell now, in a blue bottle, is complete rubbish. The old stuff did stink if you don't like the smell of bleach but only only until you have a shower.

It's all very well these "experts" saying "ventilation is the answer." but to ventilate properly in a smallish bathroom you would need to take a wall down. I have a window open and an extraction fan when I shower and I still get mould.

I do semi agree with you in that it is not always easy to ventilate but the poster has already said being in a rush is what makes him have to close the window. If that was not done the problem would not be half as bad. I believe preventing the problem by ventilating correctly is better than having to clean the mould that should not have occurred in the first place. I have a nice bathroom around 3 years old with not a spec of mould anywhere, why? After every shower the fan is on and the window remains open.

Keithmac · 6 Jul 2019

I have same problem, could a diluted mix of bleach be ok to get the black off the silicone or will it ruin it?.

I try to wipe our shower down when finished and leave the window open but don't like to leave it on anything but vent when everyones out..

KenGMac · 6 Jul 2019

Could try?

1/. Get a Karcher window cleaning Vac? It works on my large glass screens around the shower, and fast!!! removes large volumes of water.

2/. Try Cillit Bang Black mould remover, it seems to work well??

3/. Is it one wall? [possibly the external wall??] or all walls that are affected.

As above, run on timer on the extractor, window open.

Ken.

mikeey84 · 6 Jul 2019

KenGMac said:
. Get a Karcher window cleaning Vac?

It's extra effort but works really well.

foxhole · 7 Jul 2019

Only ventilation prevents the mold spores settling, mold usually starts where bottles are left in a corner preventing air flow, improving fan quality and power will help.

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Tile Grout going black (mould) in bathroom

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