Expert Answers in stone

ANSWER – Most travertine stones have natural voids and it is sold either filled or unfilled. Sometimes the fill from the factory isn’t well done or if the floor is subjected to a lot of…

ANSWER – I understand your concern about the discoloration in your granite counter top.

It is not uncommon for natural stone to have veins and areas of different mineral content that causes color differences, which…

ANSWER – It is difficult to fully understand your situation without investigating it first. I assume that these cracks are new, and were not there when it was installed. Some stones do have veining that…

ANSWER – Generally speaking it is not recommended to use acid on stone or ceramic tile, although the only time it does make sense is when there is a cement haze on the stone. NEVER…

ANSWER – The coating on the back of the stone is likely a resin back that is applied to some type of stones that are more fragile. It may have a fiberglass mesh suspended within…

ANSWER – The more texture you have on a stone finish the more difficult it will be to clean and the more often you need to clean it.  Sealers help because they act as bond-breakers and…

ANSWER – The veneer stone is actually a cementitious product. Sometimes they come with a stain or finish that may or may not be compatible with certain sealers.

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ANSWER – Grout joint width depends on how consistent is the size dimensions of the tile and how flat is the substrate it is being attached to.

Should always have at least 1/8″ wide grout…

ANSWER – There are sealers that do not significantly darken the stone.  Miracle Sealants has one called 511 Impregnator or one called Porous Plus for very porous stones.  Go to our website at www.CTaSC.com…

ANSWER – The TCNA (Tile Council of North America) publishes an Installation guide that can apply to marble tile.  MIA (Marble Institute of America) publishes a manual and discusses wet areas briefly.  For their information…