Brick cleaning Expert Answers Exterior Maintenance Repairs

Can I Stucco over an Existing Brick?

ANSWER - I would be surprised if the brick is made of porcelain clay which is very dense and has 0.5% absorption or less.  There are some very dense clay brick. Stucco is a weak…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Expert Answers Grout sealers Stains

How Can I Remove Contrasting Grout Staining in a Black Tile?

ANSWER - The grout that you used may be a polymer modified grout similar to a grout with a latex additive.   Acids won't attack the polymer, but there are products for removing latex haze.  Try…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Expert Answers Stains

Can I Clean and Restore my 15 Year Old Glazed Ceramic Tile?

ANSWER - Since you have a glazed ceramic tile it should come clean unless it has worn from abrasion.  Glazed ceramic tiles don't normally fade, but some of the softer glazes might to some degree.…

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Acid Etching Caulk Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Expert Answers Maintenance Sealant Caulk sealers Stains

Are there Tile Sealers that are resistant to Urine?

ANSWER - I assume you are saying that you seal your tile with a sealer and that your dog's urine is causing the sealer to be removed. Sealers are meant to minimize the chances of…

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Acid Etching cleaning Expert Answers Maintenance sealers Stains stone Stone Restoration

Why are my 1x1 Marble Tiles not Shinny After Grouting?

ANSWER - Denatured alcohol is acidic and can act as a solvent to break down sealers or stains that could be on the stone.  They use oxalic acid in polishing stone because it breaks down…

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cleaning Expert Answers sealers Stains stone

Why is my limestone still staining after I sealed it?

ANSWER - Ludders Limestone is a Texas Limestone.  The absorption rate and propensity to stain does vary depending on the physical properties of the stone.  Per ASTM C568 limestone can be rated as a low…

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cleaning color Variation Expert Answers Exterior Maintenance sealers Stains

Can I stain my natural stone so it has a consistent darker color?

ANSWER - Staining natural stone isn’t something that is recommended by the natural stone industry.  Using enhancer sealers is what is typically done, but they only last so long.  So if you want to maintain a…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Expert Answers Maintenance Optical Haze stone Stone Restoration

How do you remove smudges from floor tiles?

ANSWER - First you need to determine what caused the smudges on the tile in order to determine how to remove them. If you have a polished porcelain tile there is a condition known as…

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Acid Etching Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Expert Answers Maintenance Stains

How do I remove acid etch stains on my ceramic pool tiles?

Answer - Unfortunately when you acid etch the surface of a glazed tile it chemically alters the glaze and it can't be restored. If the etched area is contrasting in color to the tile color,…

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cleaning Expert Answers Maintenance Stains stone Stone Restoration

How long will it take for Limestone to Dry from being wet, and will the dark spots go away?

ANSWER - There are 3 subcategories of limestone per ASTM C568.   Their physical properties vary from being vary porous to very low absorbing. How fast the limestone will dry depends on how absorbing it is,…

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