We just moved into our house beginning of August. The previous homeowner was a real do-it-yourselfer-but-don't-ask-anyone-how. He put down ceramic tile in the kitchen, half-bath and hallway. There is some type of sealant, grout, doohickey stuff on the tiles, especially where it meets the walls or carpet. It won't wash off and looks dirty. Can it be scraped off or is there a safer way to removed this stuff? I'll get to repairing all the other "cool projects" later. Thanks!

I’m am in the process of moving a shower in a bathroom built on an above grade concrete slab. The new shower will be located about 5-6 feet from the original. The new shower will be tiled on the floor as well as three walls. I have some questions regarding procedures for building the new shower. The new shower floor will need to be contoured to drain properly. The shower floor may need to be built up an additional inch or so in order to provide the ¼ inch per foot slope in the drain line. Question 1: What is the appropriate material/product to use to build up and contour the new floor? Question 2: How should the old concrete slab be prepared to insure a good bond between it and the material used to build up and contour the floor? Question 3: Should the new shower be framed first and then the floor built up and contoured or should the floor be built up and contoured first with the new framing placed atop the built up and contoured area? Thanks, Paul