Expert Answers in sealers

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…

ANSWER - I would never recommend installing unfilled travertine or any unfilled stone on a floor or it will collect dirt that could then develop into microbial growth if moisture is present.  It would be…

ANSWER - A true porcelain tile will not degrade or bleed that would cause a residue on the surface of the tile that would transfer to your socks.   Porcelain tile is very dense and fired…

ANSWER - There are sealers called penetrating sealers that seal the tile but doesn't change the appearance of the tile. These is a product called Miracle 511 Impregnator Porous Plus meant for high absorbing tiles…

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…

ANSWER - Regarding whether sealing a cementitious grout makes it waterproof, it doesn't.  Using an appropriate penetrating sealer over grout will make it moisture resistant, it will make it stain resistant, and it normally will…

ANSWER - The unglazed porcelain tile should technically be impervious with an absorption of 0.5% or less.  That doesn't mean it can't stain, when it can if something is left on it long enough and…

ANSWER - In spite of the name suggesting it is granite, Petit Granit is known as a Belgian Limestone.  Several sources on the internet state not to use it as a countertop and say it…

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…

ANSWER - It is not common to stain natural stone. There are enhancer sealers that applied to enhance the natural color of the stone. Natural stone is just that.  Every piece of stone is somewhat…

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…

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…

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…

ANSWER - First of all what happen to the the 3rd wall in the shower?  I will assume it has a different substrate or you aren't tiling it. Not sure why you are using Schluter…

ANSWER - First of all the data sheet for Mapei Ultracare says not to install it on the surface of the tile.  It sounds like that is what you did. I'm not sure why it…

ANSWER - The dark color spots could possibly be due to underlying moisture below the granite tiles or they could be stains in the granite tiles. Granite is suppose to be technically impervious meaning low…

ANSWER - Refinishing or restoration of stone floors is a common maintenance process.  There are many levels and degrees of what that might involve. Typically the stone floor will be cleaned with cleaning solutions and…

ANSWER -  The Daltile Avondale West Tower product looks to be an unglazed/through-body porcelain tile.  It comes in polished and unpolished.  I am assuming you have the unpolished material.  Porcelain tile is very durable.  Unglazed…

ANSWER - Limestone is commonly used in shower applications.  Not all limestone are the same.  There are ASTM material standards for each geological classification of natural stone that lists what the maximum or minimum physical…

ANSWER - Depending on what type of sealer you applied, it can enhance the natural color of the stone.   So perhaps the installed stone unsealed, or perhaps the sample that you originally selected, appeared to…