cleaning failures Maintenance Stains stone

How can I prevent my marble from staining?

ANSWER -  I am responding to your email below regarding the serious issues you have with your marble on board your yacht that include large areas of floors, sink tops, and walls.  You indicate that…

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installation stone

Can I install Marble behind a Wood burning stone?

ANSWER - Most natural stone materials are heat resistant in terms of being near a wood stove. Although if something very hot is set on its surface causing a thermo shock it could crack. The…

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cleaning sealers stone

What can I do to improve the shine/appearance of slate tile?

ANSWER - Slate is not a stone product that is polished or normally has a sheen due to the nature of the material.  There are enhancer sealers that will highlight the stone to bring out the…

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cleaning stone

How do I clean off haze and remove mortar and grout from travertine?

ANSWER - There are special latex cleaners that are sold such as Bostik "Hydroment Remove" cleaner.  Generally speaking a very light acid solution using sulfamic acid or even diluted vinegar with some scrubbing can remove a…

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stone

How do I obtain MSDS and Material Data Sheets for Natural Stone?

ANSWER - Generally speaking importers or quarries don't provide MSDS info (Material Safety Data Sheets) or product data sheets for stone.  Some will have product data sheets showing the respective ASTM physical properties, but not…

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Expert Answers Moisture Problems Pool and Spa Repairs Roof Tiles sealers Spalling stone Waterproofing Wet Areas

How do you waterproof a tile floor that is already installed?

ANSWER - If the ceramic tile is already installed there is no way to fully waterproof the floor after the fact, unless you replace the tile and install a legitimate waterproof membrane during the replacement…

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failures Stains stone

Why Are There Dark Stains in Surface of Limestone After Installed?

ANSWER - You indicated you installed a 1/2" thick limestone over CMU (concrete block) and have not grouted it yet.  Apparently there are dark stains on the surface of the limestone showing that have not gone…

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failures stone Visual

Stone that was Installed doesn't match the Samples

ANSWER - If the black spots on the creama marfil tiles were installed in that condition and appear to be a mineral component of that stone then it would be assumed that is characteristic of…

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Debonding Tile failures stone Tenting

Marble Wall Buckling/Debonding Failure

ANSWER - If the marble tiles were installed correctly they should not be buckling/bulging from the walls even if it is installed in an interior pool and bath application. The humidity and moisture is likely contributing…

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failures Slab stone

Granite Counter Top has Cracked

ANSWER - Granite counter tops, or any other type of stone counter top, are not suppose to break/crack before or after it is installed, as long as the counter top has not been abused such as…

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