How should I fix bathroom grout with a wet appearance?

[chickensoup64]

I've noticed over a few months the grout along the bottom of the wall tiles connecting to the floor are sometimes wet looking. This is the master ensuite next to the toilet which is then next to the shower. The wet grout is only on the toilet side, not noticeable between the toilet and shower. Sometimes a white residue shows up on the floor tiles which looks like residue of a dried up spill, yet I've never seen any pooling.

There have been weeks where there is no wetness and there has been no change is usage of the room. On the other side of the wall is guest ensuite which has no issues visible, so this only appears to be an issue from the master ensuite side.

What's the right approach here to fix this? Is it the toilet leaking, or other plumbing, or perhaps even the shower leaking around the tiles and toilet to the other side? Do I just need to re-grout the tiles and re-silicone the shower/toilet? How do I remove a toilet if needed?

Here are some photos, which might be hard to decipher, so I'll do my best to add descriptions.

Rear of toilet, silicone meets tiles, appears wet and some brown growth/gunk build up. (photo is upside-down) 

Rear of toilet, same gunk on other side against tiles, white residue on tiles, shower frame on right.

Another pic of the wet gunk on the toilet at rear where tiles join wall/floor

Tiles along wall (not shower side) and floor where the wet grout was first noticeable.

Rear/side of toilet adjacent to wall (opposite side from shower)

Holistic view of space

[EricL]

Hello @chickensoup64 

Just a friendly reminder that any plumbing work that need to be done must be carried out by a registered plumber for safety and compliance.

This will require a bit of an investigation on your part. It looks and appears like that there is a leak near your toilet and shower enclosure, But I suspect that it is condensation forming on your walls during hot showers and the water gathers at the bottom forming small pools creating that small calcium build-up. I propose cleaning that section of the tiled wall with CLR 750ml Bathroom And Kitchen Cleaner and scrapping all of the dirt and calcium build up in that corner and along your shower enclosure.

Your goal is to do a leak test, normally a leak will be continuous and will present itself as a small puddle growing bigger. If your toilet pan was leaking trust me, you would know by the smell. If the leak is coming from the cistern your inlet valve would be constantly hissing during the night as it tries to fill up the cistern. However, occasional dampness or wetness could be the result of water just getting trapped in that section and having nowhere to go. If the leak is coming from your shower assembly, then it just needs to be sealed with silicone. 

Once the area is clean observe the formation of water before, during and after someone has a long shower. If water appears before someone has a shower, then it's possible that there is a leak coming from the toilet. 

In regards to repairs, I suggest engaging the services of a registered plumber as disassembling a back to wall toilet suite is quite involved and not a D.I.Y activity I would recommend.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @AlanM52 for their recommendations. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @chickensoup64 

It kind of looks like your toilet is leaking, that build up against the actuall toilet and the colouring makes my mind head towards that (or cleaning products). I would do the same steps as @EricL has suggested in cleaning it up spotless and then keeping an eye on it regulary for a week or two. It looks like a slow leak with that discoloration (If it was faster then you would end up with a noticable puddle)

I was actually thinking it could be the rubber seal that sits under a toilet perishing or being crimped on install but I do not know for sure about the different models that have that. If the leak persists my first step would be towards a plumber to have a look at the toilet itself. In particular the footing and how its sealed (silastic around the outer edge wouldnt fix it)

Dave

[chickensoup64]

Thanks @EricL and @Dave-1 for the replies.

There have been rare occasions where a slight odour was lingering. Since it's been a while with the wetness around and only rarely disappearing I've contacted a plumber. This was my first thought but I was wondering if a DIY was possible.

I'll let you know the outcome

[chickensoup64]

@Dave-1 @EricL the results are in.

Plumber solved the issue and it was a bit more involved than expected, so great to have them do it. A few hundred dollars in the end but better than what could have been. Actions taken to fix the leak:

1. Removed toilet pan.

2. Removed and replaced the vario bend.

3. Removed and replaced the isolation valve and flex hose.

4. Reinstalled toilet pan.

5. Dried out the area and resealed cistern bolts with silicone.

As for the grout, I'll give it some time to dry out and clean the floor, and assess later if it needs removing and putting some new in.

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @chickensoup64 

Cheering that its been solved! 

Dave