About a two weeks ago we noticed a horrible musty smell in our kitchen. Our bathroom shower backs up to the kitchen, but there was no smell in the bathroom. I leaned down while inspecting our shower, and discovered that there was a very long crack in the grout between the shower ledge and the tile. Water had been sleeping out for who knows how long and running down the side of the shower,and then into the membrane. Our kitchen smells awful, and we have no idea how to handle the water that is sitting underneath the shower in the membrane. Do you have any ideas? We currently have fans going in there but it doesn't seem to be doing much. Thank you in advance!

pour 1-2 cup household bleach into/onto the crack

repeat @ 24 hr intervals until smell gone

dry up area COMPLETELY

caulk well

==============================================

"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

In addition to previous suggestion ---

Attempt to seal off most of crack - at least temporary with caulk or wet towels etc - apply a wet/shop vacuum against some part of cracked area. You may even want to open up another area for this process. Vacuum away for as long as you think you are accomplishing anything. Even if water is not being removed in quantity, the vacuum "draft" may help to dry out areas.

NOTE: I have seen this same principle on youtube to dry out a wet cell phone. It works much better and faster than rice etc (on a cell phone).

PS to previous post -----------------------


I'm with Packy (From previous threads)

Not a plumber --- just a "DIYS'er"

CAULK AND 100% SILICONE COMPARISONS

1. Caulk is cheaper, much easier to use and install -- and will LOOK OK ---- for a period of time. --- However, It WILL shrink, harden and crack --- often unnoticed -- and as example when used where a bathtub and tile/wall/floor meet WILL in time allow water to penetrate and possibility cause damage.

2. 100% Silicone is more expensive and can be very "messy" to use and install -- AND takes more time, but with patience, pre-cleaning and practice, a correct installation will last AND last much longer -- maybe a "lifetime" or until removal is required for other modifications. It does not shrink, harden or crack. It will allow movement between different surfaces.

3. With Tradesmen/women -- Time and material = $. Caulk looks OK and will last "long enough".

4. When caulk DOES shrink, harden and crack -- and it will --- and damage is caused by penetrating water --- A tradesman may be hired to make repairs (and replace the caulk ---- with caulk). That's a "Lose/Win" situation.

IMO 100% Silicone should always be the one to use wherever two different materials meet which are subject to any possible movement and water are involved and would require either "caulk or silicone". Example bathtub/wall/floor - tile shower corners/floor etc.

As a "DIYS'er" I have and will take the time to do it right the first time (within my ability), as I would hope anyone who has pride in workmanship would do.

@ WC,

silicone caulking is easy PROVIDING you can tolerate the taste ... seriously

open a small towel on your left hand

apply the bead with either the 'gun' or the 'tube' using right hand ONLY 4-8" long (start short, you will soon 'get the hang of it)

wet/lick one finger on right hand

using finger tip, 'wipe/shape' the bead until it 'weeps too much' at the sides

wipe excess caulk onto towel in left hand at corner using towel as necessary to clean finger tip

HERE IS THEW TRICK

fold corner of towel over to cover silicone, leaving only clean towel exposed

repeat

YUM YUM YUM

==============================================

"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

If the water is ponding "in the membrane", then there should be no or very little smell in the kitchen. Are you referring to the shower pan membrane?

Isn't the assumption that some water will invariably move through the grout and under the tile and collect on the pan and that it is the job of the pan to move the water to drain? In other words, grout is always in some form of deterioration even if unseen by the eye and so it is impossible to contain water 100% topside of the tile.

I would suggest you to repair that crack as soon as possible as it would lead to many more problems. First you are getting that awful smell all day long, then slowly but steadily molds and mildew growth would start which would need much more effort.