In over a decade of experience with real estate cleaning and property management, it is the simplest maintenance that is often overlooked or postponed until costly repairs are necessary.  The usual suspect is generally the tub and/or shower.  Small cracks that appear in the tile grout over time never seem all that alarming or important but what Mr. or Ms. Homeowner doesn't realize is that expensive damage is happening behind those innocent little cracks, that loose escution plate or tub spout and the unappealing caulk that never comes clean no matter how much bleach is used.

With even minor grout cracks, the wall board behind the tile becomes soft from continually absorbing water and expands creating slight bulges in the wall tiles that will result in the tiles falling from the wall entirely in as little as six months.  In severe cases water damage can extend to the entire framework surround causing the most expensive home repair next to replacing a roof and it isn't covered by homeowners insurance. 

No tile jobs are permanent; all surfaces require regular maintenance in addition to regular cleaning and they have a lifetime much shorter than many homeowners want to accept.  Houses settle slightly on the most solid of foundations and as settling occurs over time, it creates small or occasionally large cracks in grout around tiles on walls and floors that need to be filled. 

Grout cracks are not the extent of damage culprits, however.  Neglected caulk along the tub / wall seam collects moisture that can cause the same extent of damage.  Tubs shift slightly from the weight of constant filling and emptying of water and will separate from the tile grout or caulk exposing the wall board to constant moisture. The residual moisture will permeate any new caulk from behind with unsightly black mold within weeks that no cleaning products can penetrate, creating a vicious cycle of recaulking more often that necessary. 

The financial cost of repairing water damage in the bathroom is often compounded with adverse health effects due to mold exposure.  Reactions to constant mold exposure range from coughs, runny noses, congestion, nose bleeds and chronic sinusitis to more threatening attacks of bronchitis or asthma.

Be sure to have a quality tile and grout company in your home maintenance directory and inspect your tub/shower often for even the slightest signs that maintenance is needed.  By doing so, you will protect not just the value of your home, but the health of your family.