Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Efflorescence Staining Expert Answers sealers

Will Sealing a Saltillo Tile prevent the White Efflorescence Staining?

ANSWER - Sealing a Saltillo tile doesn't waterproof the tile. Sealing the tile only makes it moisture resistant.  A sealer should help to minimize the white efflorescence staining, but it may or may not stop…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Efflorescence Staining Expert Answers installation Installation Guidelines Moisture Problems Remodeling Vapor Barrier Waterproofing

What should we do if there is evidence that there is high Moisture coming up our Concrete Slabs?

ANSWER - Carpet might be allowing the moisture to evaporate through it, but as dirty as carpets get you could develop some microbial growth in the carpet.  Adding more carpet doesn't solve or prevent problems.…

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cleaning Efflorescence Staining Expert Answers Limestone Maintenance stone Stone Restoration Wet Areas

How do you remove stains in Limestone in an Exterior Application?

ANSWER - Limestone stone is a calcium carbonate sedimentary natural stone.  It contains various minerals such as ferrous oxide that when subjected to excessive moisture can develop mineral stains. Sometimes this is just minor staining…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cracks Efflorescence Staining Expert Answers Grout Leak Maintenance Showers Stains

Why is water coming out of the grout on the side of our Shower?

ANSWER - From your photo the bottom edge of the wall tile where it is adjacent to the transition joint from the wall to the floor has efflorescence staining.  That suggests water is traveling from…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Concrete Substrate Slab Debonding Tile Efflorescence Staining failures Moisture Problems Testing Vapor Barrier

What is the Acceptable Moisture Content in a Concrete Slab for a Tile Installation?

Answer - The ASTM F1869 Calcium Chloride membrane was the dominate test for years and depending on the tile installation manufacturer they would request a value of anywhere from 3% to 12% per 1,000 sf…

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cleaning Debonding Tile Efflorescence Staining Expert Answers Exterior failures Inspections Maintenance Stains stone

Why is my Bluestone Patio Tiles coming Loose and Have Efflorescence?

ANSWER - If the flagstone shaped Bluestone is loose and has excessive efflorescence staining then it wasn't installed correctly.   If the patio had been designed correctly and the stone installed properly it should perform well…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Efflorescence Staining Expert Answers Maintenance Stains

How to Remove and Prevent Efflorescence from Coming Back?

ANSWER - Severe efflorescence is a symptom of an excessive moisture problem.  Removing the efflorescence stain is treating the symptom rather than the problem. Efflorescence is a mineral stain.  Minerals are forms of salts that…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Efflorescence Staining Flood Grout Moisture Problems

Efflorescence Staining from Moisture Perhaps?

ANSWER - You have provided so much information that it is a little confusing.   So I will make some assumptions. You said that your tile patio is part of an ocean front home. You said…

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