Tile Shower Restoration

A Mid-Century Shower Gets a Fresh Start

Not every tired shower needs to be replaced. Sometimes, the right restoration work can preserve the character of an older bathroom while addressing the problems that have developed over time.

That was the goal of this residential shower restoration project in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where RESTORIA was called in to restore and protect a classic mid-century shower with original porcelain tile.

The shower had several issues that were becoming increasingly concerning to the homeowners, including failing grout, hard-water discoloration, cracked tiles, and a failed seal along the edge of the bathtub. Rather than replace the original tile, the homeowners wanted to see if the shower could be carefully restored.

The result gave this mid-century classic a whole new lease on life.

The Problem: Aging Grout, Cracked Tiles & Failed Seals

The homeowners had noticed several signs that their shower needed attention.

The grout on the shower walls was beginning to fail in several areas, while years of hard-water exposure had left the grout discolored and uneven in appearance. There were also two cracked porcelain tiles that needed to be repaired rather than replaced.

Perhaps more concerning was a failed seal along the edge of the tub. At one point, the homeowners had resorted to covering the area with duct tape, highlighting their concern about the possibility of water getting through the failed seal.

Because this was a classic mid-century shower, replacement was not an easy or desirable option. Matching older tiles can be difficult, and removing them unnecessarily could potentially damage surrounding tiles.

The goal was simple: restore what was already there, repair the damaged areas, improve the appearance, and properly protect the shower for continued use.

The Restoration Process

Careful Preparation for a Vintage Tile Installation
Restoring an older shower requires more than simply cleaning the surface.

The original porcelain tiles were carefully preserved throughout the process because replacement tiles would not necessarily be easy to source or match.

RESTORIA began by addressing the areas where the existing grout and caulking had failed.

Removing & Replacing Failed Caulking
The deteriorated caulking around the tub edge was carefully removed and replaced.

Special attention was also given to the difficult-to-reach area along the side wall near the vanity, where the existing seal had failed over time.

Restoring these transition areas helped address one of the homeowners’ biggest concerns: keeping vulnerable joints properly sealed against moisture.

Regrouting with Two-Part Epoxy Grout
Areas of failing grout were carefully removed without unnecessarily disturbing the surrounding porcelain tile.

The affected joints were then regrouted using a two-part epoxy grout, providing a durable solution for the moisture-rich shower environment.

Repairing the Cracked Porcelain Tiles
The two cracked tiles presented another challenge.

Because this was an older mid-century installation, replacing the tiles was not a straightforward option. Instead, the cracks were filled using a carefully selected color match designed to blend with the surrounding porcelain.

This allowed RESTORIA to address the visible damage while preserving the original tile installation.

Recoloring & Protecting the Shower Grout
Finally, the discoloration throughout the shower walls was addressed.

A white ColorSeal application was applied to the grout lines across all three shower walls, creating a much more consistent appearance while providing added protection to the grout.

The difference was especially noticeable in the close-up areas, where the refreshed grout lines made the entire shower look cleaner and more uniform.

The Solution: Restore Instead of Replace

The completed project combined several restoration techniques rather than relying on a single cleaning treatment.
RESTORIA:

• Removed and replaced failed caulking along the joint where the shower walls meet the tub.
• Addressed the failed seal along the difficult-to-reach side wall
• Carefully removed failing grout
• Regrouted affected areas with two-part epoxy grout
• Repaired and color-matched the two cracked porcelain tiles
• Applied white ColorSeal to the grout across all three shower walls
• Preserved the original mid-century porcelain tile installation

The result was a refreshed shower that retained the character of the original bathroom while looking cleaner, brighter, and much better cared for.

The Result: A Classic Shower Restored

The finished shower looks dramatically fresher without losing what made it special in the first place.

The original blue mid-century porcelain tile remains in place, but the renewed grout lines, repaired tile cracks, and refreshed caulking give the entire shower a much cleaner appearance.

Just as importantly, the restoration addressed the areas that had been causing the homeowners concern.

Instead of replacing a vintage tile installation, RESTORIA was able to restore, repair, and protect what was already there.

This project is a great example of why replacement is not always the only answer for an aging bathroom.

Sometimes, professional restoration is the better way to preserve a classic.

Customer Feedback

The homeowners were thrilled with the transformation.

Their reaction said it all:

“Wow! It looks like a new shower.”

They particularly noticed how fresh the newly sealed grout lines made the space look.

They also expressed relief knowing that the areas that had previously failed had been properly addressed. Before the restoration, they had been worried about the possibility of water getting through the points of failure.

After restoration, they could enjoy their classic shower again with much greater peace of mind.

This mid-century classic had a whole new lease on life.

Need to Restore Your Shower Instead of Replacing It?

If your tile shower has failing grout, deteriorated caulking, discoloration, cracked tiles, or areas where moisture protection has failed, replacement may not be your only option.

RESTORIA provides professional tile, grout, shower restoration, repair, and protection services throughout the Greater Milwaukee & SE Wisconsin Area.

Give Your Existing Shower a Second Chance

Don’t replace a shower that can be restored.

Call us at (414) 262-6331 or contact to discuss your shower restoration project.