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

When it rains, I notice a dark stain running around the perimeter of each granite tile on my back porch. This outline doesn’t seem to ever go away. What’s causing this and can it be cured?

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 642 0/5 (0 Vote)

This shadow or halo is a sign of moisture in the granite. When the stone gets wet, it turns dark; the granite then dries from the center out, leaving a moisture shadow which has the appearance of a stain. To eliminate this shadow, the granite will... Read More

We just sealed our marble tile with a water-based sealer. There is now a light, rainbow-like film on the surface of the tile. I have used every cleaner I could purchase to try get it off, but it won’t budge. Any suggestions?

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 679 0/5 (0 Vote)

The sealer has left a hard silicone residue on the tile’s surface. To remove the excess silicone, the tile will have to be scrubbed with an abrasive cleaner. Several kitchen-type abrasive cleaners are available which will remove this film. If... Read More

My husband spilled a glass of iced tea over a newspaper that was on top of our marble dining room table. The newspaper ink has stained the table. How can I remove this stain?

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 743 0/5 (0 Vote)

The newspaper ink has probably soaked into the marble, and may require a poultice to remove, but first try cleaning the area with a white cloth and some acetone. Be careful with the acetone, since it can be flammable, and keep it away from any... Read More

We just had our floor professional polished and now it is turning yellow. What can we do?

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

This is a frequent problem with professional polishers who use several different polishing methods. Have the professional come back and correct the problem. If he used the recrystallization process, the floor may have contained too much moisture. He... Read More

The green marble floor in our bathroom is acquiring a specked white appearance that won’t clean off. What can I use to clean it?

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 606 0/5 (0 Vote)

First, you need to determine whether or not the white specks you describe are on the surface of the marble. If you can’t clean them off, chances are they lie below the surface of the marble. If this is the case, it is possible that there are... Read More

Is there a product I can use to keep the soap scum off my shower walls?

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 694 0/5 (0 Vote)

There are many on the market. But if your shower walls are marble, you will have to use caution in choosing the proper cleaner, since most soap scum removers are acidic. Do not use an acidic cleaner on marble walls! If the tile is ceramic or granite,... Read More

How can I clean the black soot off my marble fireplace hearth?

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 656 0/5 (0 Vote)

Several products are designed specifically for cleaning soot and carbon build-up from marble. Contact your marble supply house. Be sure the product is not an acid; apply it per the manufacturer’s directions and allow it to sit on the marble for... 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 0 587 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

Here is a question I am asked quite frequently. “My dog is not yet housebroken, and is constantly urinating on my marble floor. I’ve found that I can clean off the urine without staining, but a dull area is left afterwards. Also, how can I elim

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 568 0/5 (0 Vote)

Let your customer know that urine contains acid which will etch the marble surface. As for the odor, pet shops and supermarkets carry several products which use enzymes to destroy the odor of urine. Follow the manufacturer’s directions... Read More

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