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

A lemon slice sat on our marble bar top overnight and left a white mark. How can we remove this mark?

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 645 0/5 (0 Vote)

The acid in the lemon has etched the surface of the marble. The only option is to re-polish or hone the marble. Polish the etched area using a powder polishing compound. Work the powder into a slurry using a white pad and a slow rpm hand buffer. If... Read More

We have an old terrazzo floor that has been covered for years with wall-to-wall carpet. We want to remove the carpet, but it is held down by tack strips which have been nailed into the terrazzo. When I tried pulling up one strip, large chunks of the

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 588 0/5 (0 Vote)

The tack strips can be removed by cutting the nails flush with the terrazzo. A hack saw blade can be wedged under the wooden strip and the nail can be cut. A faster method would be to use a diamond saw blade mounted on a rightangle grinder. The shaft... Read More

The Mexican tile on our back porch is displaying a green growth at the corners of the porch. The porch is outdoors, but is covered. What is this growth and how do I clean it off?

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 629 0/5 (0 Vote)

The green growth you see is probably algae. Algae usually grows were there is abundant moisture. My guess would be that the tile stays wet after a rainstorm, allowing the algae to grow. To clean it, prepare a solution of bleach and water; about one... Read More

How do I remove oil spots from my Mexican tile floor? Grease splattering from the stove is causing staining all over the floor.

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 647 0/5 (0 Vote)

Mexican tile is a clay terra cotta-type product, and is very absorbent. In order to remove the oil a poultice is necessary. Refer to “Stain Removal Guide for Stone” and carry out the procedure it describes. If the stain is not removed after four... Read More

What is the best way to clean mildew off of marble shower walls without dulling the shine? I have used soap-scum removers in the past, but they only dull the marble.

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 608 0/5 (0 Vote)

There are several products on the market that will remove mildew from tile, but they will also etch any polished marble surface. I suggest the following technique: Dilute one cup of household bleach in one-half gallon of cold water; add several drops... Read More

I just completed polishing a marble floor and the grout is covered with streaks and spots. I am sure it is not polishing powder. How can I repair the grout?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 675 0/5 (0 Vote)

Short of removing it and installing new grout I would try cleaning it with stone soap or neutral cleaner. Be sure to use a soft brush and scrub the grout lines throughly. If this does not throughly clean the grout you may need to replace it. TIP The... Read More

I was called to remove a heavy wax coating on a granite floor. I’ve discovered that the janitorial company has been stripping and waxing this floor for several years. The problem is the granite is developing small pits and appears to be falling

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 578 0/5 (0 Vote)

The problem may be with the strippers that have been used. Many strippers have an alkaline pH and this can lead to the deposit of alkaline salts in the pores of the granite. If the stripper is not rinsed throughly and any stripper residue is left... Read More

Every time I try to recrystallize a white marble floor, located in a bank lobby, it turns gray. This has been happening over the past several months. I don’t have any other problem with white marble except for this one bank lobby. Can you expla

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 649 0/5 (0 Vote)

It sounds like there may be a moisture problem in the bank lobby. The recrystallization process does not work well when moisture is present. The gray you are getting is the result of moisture reacting with the steel wool and the recrystallization... Read More

How to Remove Black Rubber Squeegee Marks on Natural Stone Shower

Wed, Mar 6, 2019 stain, etch, etch remover 0 0 351 0/5 (0 Vote)

Q. I just had natural stone installed in the shower and bathroom. It was sealed using an enhancer. My staff used a squeegee to remove excess water, without using any chemicals. The squeegee left some rubber stains on the new tile. They are in the... Read More

How to clean porcelain with heavy buildup of scum.

Thu, Jan 1, 2009 porcelain, soap film remover, copper scrub pad 0 0 352 0/5 (0 Vote)

Q. I have 2" x 2" porcelain tiles for my shower floor. It accumulates a dark soap scum, etc. sticky buildup that is hard to remove. A regular scrub brush does not cut through to clean the tile. What products/tools are the best and safest to use. I... Read More

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