Have Questions About Floors, Countertops and Other Surface Restoration Jobs?

I have a white marble floor that has been coated with a polyurethane -- the same type that is applied to wood floors. What is the best method to remove the urethane? Can I grind it off or will I need to use a stripper of some sort?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 570 0/5 (0 Vote)

Depending on how thick the urethane is you might be able to grind it off. Grinding can be difficult and can clog your abrasives. The best solution will be to chemically strip the tile. Use a stripper designed for removing polyurethane. Be careful... Read More

What’s the best method for cleaning a flamed granite floor. I have tried using a black stripping pad but it doesn’t seem to get into the low areas, what do you suggest?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 653 0/5 (0 Vote)

The best way to clean a flamed granite floor is to use a brush known as a nylo-grit brush. These brushes are designed to reach into the low areas of uneven surfaces such as flamed granite. Nylogrit brushes are available at most janitorial supply... Read More

I have to polish a narrow strip of granite that runs as a border along side a strip of flamed granite. The polished granite strips are about six inches wide. How do I hone the polished granite without honing the flamed granite?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 598 0/5 (0 Vote)

The situation you describe is becoming increasingly popular. It seems designers and architects are mixing different finishes together making it very difficult to restore the polished portion. The only way to restore the polished granite without... Read More

The shine on our travertine marble has not looked even since it was installed. The installer told us that this was characteristic of the stone. Is this true?

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 travertine, uneven shine, cement filler 0 0 400 0/5 (0 Vote)

Q. The shine on our travertine marble has not looked even since it was installed. The installer told us that this was characteristic of the stone. Is this true? A. Your installer is correct. Most travertine contains many holes that are filled with a... Read More

Have you ever heard of Doctored Travertine?

Mon, Dec 14, 2009 doctored stone, travertine filler, traverfill, black granite 0 0 436 0/5 (0 Vote)

Q: In India, I have heard that Travertine stone is doctored by adding a substrate to the base of another hard cheaper stone. How can I know whether it is so without breaking it? A: Many of the black granites from India are darkened with dyes, but to... Read More

How to Keep Travertine Floor Grout Lines Clean

Wed, Mar 8, 2023 travertine grout 0 0 399 0/5 (0 Vote)

How to Keep Travertine Floor Grout Lines Clean Professional contractors understand that the cleanliness of travertine grout lines can make or break the overall appearance of a travertine floor. Unfortunately, in many cases, dirty travertine grout... Read More

Our travertine floor is developing black dull spots that won’t clean up. What can we do?

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 677 0/5 (0 Vote)

Travertine marble typically contains soft fillers that have a tendency to collect dirt. The black spots are probably dirt, and can be cleaned with heavy-duty cleaners. Apply a solution of cleaner and water and allow it to soak on the floor for... Read More

The shine on our travertine marble floor has not looked even since it was installed. Many areas have dull spots. The installer told us this was characteristic of the stone, but I’ve noticed that a local hotel has the same travertine, and it loo

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 637 0/5 (0 Vote)

Your installer is correct. Most travertine contains many holes that are filled with a cement filler. The cement filler does not take a shine when polished—hence the dull spots. The floor you observed at the hotel has probably been coated with a... Read More

I just honed a travertine floor and it has all these very tiny pin holes. Knife grade and the flowing grade polyesters will not fill in the holes. Do you know something that will?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 572 0/5 (0 Vote)

These tiny holes are a common problem with not only travertine but can also occur on agglomerates. The best way to fill these is with what is known as a penetrating glue. This is water thin polyester that will flow into these holes. TIP Filling tiny... Read More

I am having trouble polishing a travertine floor. I can get a good polish except for the fact that I have a lot of dull spots on the floor. Why is this and is there a way I can make the shine even across the surface?

Wed, Jan 19, 2022 0 0 583 0/5 (0 Vote)

Travertine is a marble that has a lot of holes. These holes are filed at the factory with a colored Portland cement. When you polish the marble the fillers do not take a polish. This is why you get dull spots. The only way to eliminate the dull spots... Read More

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