Expert Answers in Stains

ANSWER - The only glue they should be using on a marble countertop is the resin adhesive to bond the section together or to bond the apron to the slab.  Sometimes if they have joints…

ANSWER - Determining what is causing a stain or how to remove it, depends on whether this is a granite countertop or a granite floor tile or a granite wall tile in a shower or…

ANSWER - With your description it is hard to determine exactly what is the condition. It could be intend fractures.  That is when there is excessive shrinkage and it causes intents in the tile that…

ANSWER - The marble may in fact be retaining moisture and maybe it will go away after it dries out.  On the other hand natural stone has various minerals within it that can react with…

ANSWER - If you rub too hard you might damage the tile. The best approach is to contact the manufacturer of the urethane grout and ask them how best to remove the urethane grout haze. …

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 - 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 - 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.…

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 - 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…

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 - Many natural stones that are produced around the world are treated with a type of sealer to enhance the color of the stone.  If some type of solvent gets on the countertop e.g.…

ANSWER -  We have seen where the installer will cover the entire tile with thin-set adhesive (back buttering) and then use globs or spots of the adhesive to attach the tile.  This is not an…

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 - 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,…

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,…