STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

We're moving...to my MIL's house (bath question)

Sibeski · Dooney & Bourke

Here is a suggestion from Ask the Builder....

http://www.askthebuilder.com/284_Removing_Mildew_from_Grout.shtml

Suasoria · Chanel

Your karma for taking on this domestic issue is very well noted.

Mold is something you want to report to the property owner asap. There's a chance they will no longer be able to insure the property if mold is present, so they should want to ameliorate this problem.

Since you're saving so much on rent, and you appreciate it, wouldn't it be best to retile? After all, the missing tile will not regenerate itself. Plenty of people do this themselves thanks to online how-tos or hardware store clinics. All those able-bodied brothers should be drafted into helping out in exchange for pizza and beer. It's an all-hands-on-deck, family sacrifice thing.

Also think about spending $100 for an exhaust fan, properly vented, in the shower ceiling. Otherwise your mold/mildew problems will always come back.

Do clean the wall area with bleach & water beforehand, but carry the tile all the way up and onto the ceiling (after the hole is cut for the vent fan) so you don't have this problem again. The whole job, with budget tile, should only be a couple hundred bucks if you do it yourself - maybe a grand if the owner opts to pay someone.

Consider it fortunate that there's family next door whose shower you can use for a few days while you do the work.

As always work with the landlord on any projects, ask for a rent deduction to cover costs, and remember it's easier to ask forgiveness than ask permission. You'd have to get permission to repaint anyway, so it's no big whoop to say you plan to retile.

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

Suasoria wrote:

Since you're saving so much on rent, and you appreciate it, wouldn't it be best to retile?

We're actually considering doing that too, and if we use bigger tiles, it wouldnt cost that much. DH is a foreman for a construction co. so he's more than able to do it. However, we rather not deal w/the landlord, but if we end up going that route I think she would approve it, it would be wayyy cheaper for her anyway, I hear she's a master tightwad.

I've been reading on several sites on how to revamp a filthy bath, and I'm going to try some of the suggestions and cross my fingers it works. If we can't find an exact match to replace the missing tiles, I'm thinking of removing a row of tiles or creating some sort of tile pattern so it doesnt look so obvious that we couldn't find matching tiles.

cahabo · Kate Spade

I think the land lord should have to pay for fixing up the bathroom. It is not the responsibility of the renters. Always complain! I once rented a tiny place and noticed it didn't have a smoke alarm. I complained immediately and got one immediately. I also complained about the toilet and they put a new one in. There was so many other problems with the place and I'm sure if I contacted the right people like the health department that the place would have gotten fixed up like new or I could have gotten the landlords license taken away.

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

**UPDATE**

So I guess the bath is not as bad as I said it was, I was blinded by the yuckiness in there. After taking another look at the tub walls are not missing any tiles, but the white grout was so dirty it was black! So no need to replace anything. Some of the grout is cracked, which is why at a glance I thought it maybe missing tiles.

After doing a little research, I used a few things, but I think these did the job: Comet Powder w/bleach, Clorox Bath Cleaning Spray, a Tile Grout Brush, and a Strong Bristle Tub Brush.

It probably took me 3xs as long as it would someone more experienced, but considering I've maybe cleaned a tub...once...it took me 4 hours before I gave up and called it a day.

I dont have my digi cam w/me today, but I took some before pics. I still dont think it looks as awesome as I pictured, but I can actually bear taking a shower in there. We painted and added a new light fixture and DH is going to frame the medicine cabinet mirror. I'll take some after pics when we're done.