Expert Answers in Stains

 ANSWER - If the red oak stain is an oil based stain then water by itself will not breakdown the stain.  Normally for oil-based stains you need to make a poultice with baking soda and water…

ANSWER - It is not unusual for stone to be damp when received as it is normally packaged damp and in air tight containers so it won't be completely dry. Since natural stone can vary in…

ANSWER - The grout haze might be able to be removed with a diluted vinegar (acidic) solution and a bristle brush.  You want to avoid corrosive or concentrated acids.  The haze might be a polymer or…

ANSWER - Unlike natural stone tiles, normally ceramic tiles are very resistant to moisture and staining, but it depends on the type of ceramic tile. There are glazed tiles which has a glass like material…

ANSWER - I understand you had a rust stain in ceramic tile, which is odd to have any rust on a ceramic tile other than on its surface.  It isn't unusual to have rust within…

ANSWER - Chances are that when the water pipe break occurred your travertine tile had voids under it so water was allowed to collect in those voids. This could have caused and perpetuated the development…

ANSWER - If the installer said to stay off wet tile and the grout was dirtier later maybe they applied a sealer without buffing it dry that can lead to a tacky floor that will pick…

ANSWER - What you are describing may be the result of using a surface non-breathable sealer over your Mexican pavers. The moisture from the flood may have migrated through the grout joints, or else where,…

ANSWER - There is likely a product that will remove the haze if you are able to scrap it off.  First you need to experiment to determine what the haze is, so you can determine which…

ANSWER - The epoxy grout can be removed with a stripper or cut out, but it is messy.  If you can get about an 1/8 inch depth in the grout joint you can reapply the…