7 Personalized Recommendations for Better Results in your Marble Shower
Marble has been used throughout the world for many decades by master craftspeople as it reflects light to make rooms seem more spacious while offering a touch of elegance. Enriched with veins or straight-line design, no two marble pieces are identical, adding to its uniqueness and one-of-a-kind luxurious finishes. Natural stone is classic and timeless; therefore, it will never go out of style.
1. The Installation Specialist
When using such beautiful material, we recommend finding a reputable installer who is familiar with the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), and that will follow the manufacturer’s recommendation. Based on our years of experience monitoring shower deteriorations, a beautiful installation of marble, natural stone, and or porcelain tiles in showers can be compromised as we have experimented with a grave-rooted issue that exists as showers do become water-saturated. We called this “Waterlogged Shower™.”
Bathrooms are the most expensive investments a homeowner can make when building or remodeling a home. Therefore, we recommend investing in our TERSO MR® Prestige Solution Systems in showers to prevent “Waterlogged Shower™.” Our recommendations on this article are not part of the traditional established installation standards and or manufacturer recommendation, as we have discovered a solution beyond the set standards.
2. Artisanal Grout Seam Preparations
Once the marble is installed in a shower, we recommend clearing the seams free of any debris, plastic spacers, setting adhesives and residue, vacuum any loose debris prior grout application. The seams around shower floor perimeter and corners should be clear of any obstructions for the grout to be fully packed in, leaving no gaps or spaces for water to accumulate under the setting bed, causing a “Waterlogged Shower™.”
3. Artisanal Grout Application
Grout application is crucial as it will help create a barrier to block impurities. During the grout application process, we suggest paying close attention not to leave any spaces where water and pollutants can infiltrate under the material. Apply grout in a controlled manner; we recommend to diligently start with the corner perimeter first, then focusing on the field tiles. We advise to use new grout sponges and clean water to remove excessive grout residue from surfaces.
4. Sealer Preparation
Upon artisanal grout application completion, allow grout to dry for at least one or two days. Before the sealer application, we advise purifying the surface to be free of grout and or adhesive residue.
TERSO MR® recommends:
Hydrogen peroxide 3%
Green Palmolive dish soap
Spray bottle
Soft car wash sponge or soft car wash brush
Microfiber towels
How to use:
As grout haze and other impurities accumulate on the surface of the stone, marble or porcelain. Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide, add a teaspoon of Green Palmolive dish soap. Spray directly on the surface, Use a soft sponge or soft car wash brush to buff off and remove any stubborn grout haze and impurities. Rinse with clean water and dry the surface with microfiber towels.
Depending on the size of the shower, this process can take a half-day to complete.
5. Sealer Application
Once grout and marble surface has completely dried, the shower is ready for sealer application. The type and brand of sealer will depend on the manufacturer or installer recommendations. TERSO MR® recommendation is to use a small, clean plastic bucket to pour sealer; using more as needed. Apply sealer using a 100% pure bristle brush. Do one wall and or tile at a time in a controlled manner, starting from the bottom up to avoid sealer runoff. Use clean white towels to remove the excess sealer, discard and use clean towels to buff off any remaining surface sealer residue.
Note: Please follow sealer manufacturer safety recommendations and sealer manufacturer recommendations for sealer application.
6. Shower Glass Enclosures
Once grout and marble surface has completely dried, the shower is ready for sealer application. The type and brand of sealer will depend on the manufacturer or installer recommendations. TERSO MR® recommendation is to use a small, clean plastic bucket to pour sealer; using more as needed. Apply the sealer using a 100% pure bristle brush. Do one wall and or tile at a time in a controlled manner, starting from the bottom up to avoid sealer runoff. Use clean white towels to remove the excess sealer, discard, and use clean towels to buff off any remaining surface sealer residue.
Note: TERSO MR® recommends using a 3% hydrogen peroxide cleaning mixture mentioned above for regular upkeep of your shower surfaces.
7. Shower’s Proper Service and Maintenance
Remember, no matter how great the installation and/or grout application process was performed, by nature, the structure will settle, causing microscopic fissures in grout seams, which no amount of sealer will help resolve. Water can infiltrate under the setting base through grout hairline cracks causing a Waterlogged Shower™. We recommend our TERSO MR® Prestige Solution Systems for showers to prevent and correct saturated showers.
Overall the usage of marble in showers cannot be ignored if you are looking for a timeless, luxurious and exotic look in bathrooms. However, you have to keep in mind that this gorgeous natural stone can be compromised if you have a “Waterlogged Shower™.” For additional insight on treating Waterlogged Shower™, and maintenance please visit the TERSO MR® website here.