ories, but I honestly have never seen anything quite as grungy as the discoloration on this client’s shower. ANSWER Sometimes mold that appears on grout is superficial and resides only on the surface of the installation. Most sham- poos and soaps contain organic matter, some more than others. When you have organic mate- rials, temperatures and mois- ture, you have a great environ- ment for mold to grow. Proper and regular cleaning of show- ers removes those materials. When used and not cleaned regularly you can end up with a “grungy” situation. Always use neutral pH cleaners approved for cleaning the stone or tile in your shower. And always test them in an inconspicuous area to make sure you will have no adverse reactions. Double check for mold or wet areas outside the shower as well to ensure there are no leaks. If water has escaped the show- er assembly and has reached the wood substructure this can also provide the organic matter needed for mold to grow. – Robb Roderick, NTCA Technical Trainer/ Presenter LATICRETE® TRI-LITE™ is a lightweight, high-performance tri-purpose mortar designed for large-and heavy-tile, thin- bed and wall installations. Due to its lightweight formula and smooth, creamy consistency, a 30 lb. bag provides the same coverage as a 50 lb. bag of tra- ditional mortar. LATICRETE TRI-LITE can bond to many suitable sub- strates including concrete, steel and cement plaster. Its incred- ible non-sag performance is able to support very large and heavy tile with ease. LATICRETE TRI-LITE can be used for common appli- cations such as countertops, ceilings and bathtub walls. www.laticrete.com. ASK THE EXPERTS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 22 TileLetter | March 2017