Repair nature pebble stone flooring in shower? (washer, drain, painting)

[Benbinco]

Hey all,

I have a white/light pebble stone floor in my shower and bathroom. The pebbles in the shower area have become discolored due to dirt, carbonate deposits, etc. The pebbles in the rest of the bathroom are also unevenly cleaner or dirtier depending on the foot traffic in the room.

These pebbles were probably not coated over the course of time, and they should not have been white for a shower area in the first place. But, that is what it is.

Can anyone tell me what I should do to make this situation better? So far I have tried gentle cleaners, a little bit of bleach, and a pressure washer. I can get surface contaminants off pretty well, but the stones (and grout) are somewhat porous, so the general discoloring remains.

The pebble floor extends across the bathroom and comprises roughly 140 square feet. The dual shower is an open design with a center drain in the middle of the room, almost like something you would see in a gym or commerical setting. The whole floor, including up under the vanity and in the toilet area, is one big sloped pan/membrane.

I am willing to consider all options. If it matters, I am planning on selling this home this year. It is a high end property that will need to look presentable in the master bath at that time, but I don't care about trying to make something perfect for myself that will last 50 years, etc. I'm happy to do that it if turns out to also be cost effective, of course. I'd also be ecstatic to come up with a cosmetic fix or something simple that doesn't involve a $40k total gut and replace remodel.

Help?

[ocngypz]

Did you try a paste of Barkeeper's Friend or Zud? Both contain oxalic acid.

Try a small spot first.

[Benbinco]

Originally Posted by ocngypz

Did you try a paste of Barkeeper's Friend or Zud? Both contain oxalic acid.

Try a small spot first.

I sure didn't, but that sounds like a great idea. I'll give it a go this weekend and report back!

[Tech443]

Originally Posted by Benbinco

Hey all,

I have a white/light pebble stone floor in my shower and bathroom. The pebbles in the shower area have become discolored due to dirt, carbonate deposits, etc. The pebbles in the rest of the bathroom are also unevenly cleaner or dirtier depending on the foot traffic in the room.

Can anyone tell me what I should do to make this situation better? So far I have tried gentle cleaners, a little bit of bleach, and a pressure washer. I can get surface contaminants off pretty well, but the stones (and grout) are somewhat porous, so the general discoloring remains.

The pebble floor extends across the bathroom and comprises roughly 140 square feet. The dual shower is an open design with a center drain in the middle of the room, almost like something you would see in a gym or commerical setting. The whole floor, including up under the vanity and in the toilet area, is one big sloped pan/membrane.

I am willing to consider all options.

Help?

If you could post a picture of what it looks like? I might have a solution for you.

And a lot easier that what you are doing now and really not much more expensive. (no gutting)

[Tech443]

This is what I did...

[nbudde]

Hi! I was wondering if you had any good results with barkeeper's friend and/or zud?

Thanks!

[Benbinco]

Originally Posted by nbudde

Hi! I was wondering if you had any good results with barkeeper's friend and/or zud?

Thanks!

Not really. We ended up powerblasting it again and then repainting it with a white stain or overcoat of some type. (My contractor selected it and applied it, or I would be more specific.) It ended up making everything very white -- whiter than natural -- but that made it look clean and neat again, at least. We just wanted it to be in saleable condition, but honestly I would have been okay with it looking like that if I were to live with it as well. Much better than all grungy and stained-looking.

Good luck!