Shower Question
 

Before I call home warranty, I thought I would ask here. We’ve owned our courtyard villa for about a year and a half which was bought new. We split our time between RI and The Villages. Just last week I noticed numerous black spots on the master shower floor. Upon closer inspection they appear to be crevices in the mortar where dirt is accumulating. I’m hoping that this may still be covered under warranty. Any thoughts?

I would call the warranty department, but I don't think it will be covered by the one year warranty. It is probably mold or mildew.

Buy Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover. Don’t inhale the fumes. Spray on and leave for a few hours, then rinse.

Go to Home Depot and get a grout caulk to closely match the grout color. Get those filled, if they are deep enough water can get under the tile and you will have a bigger problem

Steve

As this picture illustrates there is a crevice in the mortar where dirt is collecting. It’s not as simple as wiping it with a cleaner. The breach in the mortar need to be fixed.

See post #4

Steve

Just called home warranty and they gave me Great Lakes phone number. Not covered by warranty and they will not even send anyone out to look at it. I offered to pay for the repair but they said they are too busy right now.

I just feel I shouldn’t have to be repairing this myself for what is clearly poor workmanship. But I guess I have no choice.

Were they there during your 1 year home inspection?

I’m sure they were but it’s not something you readily see. Frank‘s sons, the inspectors, never saw it. I’m not sure this is something they would even check. We are down here for, at most, half a year. I think it’s just an accumulation of showers where grime settles into the crevices and it only became readily apparent recently.

Here is what I think. They gave you" Great Lakes "number? Then that is possibly the people who installed it. They have sub contractors. And you asked a lot of questions when you really should have just done what they said. Most times if a sub comes and fixes it there is no charge but home warranty isn't going to say that. And most people who have had similar small issues have never gone away hungry. They are decent people. Wait and see.

I did call Great Lakes. They did install it. They said I am on my own. They could repair it at a price but they are too busy right now.

Go to Home Depot, get a grout that matches your grout color, dig out the existing hole a little, mix up some grout and patch it yourself

If this isn't anything that you feel like you can handle, just call a 'handy man'

And always turn the fan on in the shower during and after for a bit to prevent mold.

What is the humidity in the home? If 60%+ probably mold for the discoloration.