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Many brands of grout sealer are available for this purpose; most are easy to apply, but make sure the grout is first cleaned thoroughly. Grout sealers are available at most hardware and home supply centers. TIP Most of the silicone impregnators sold... Read More

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

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 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

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

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

It sounds as though your slate floor has a rough finish which catches the fibers of the mop as it is dragged across the floor. First, you need to deep-clean the floor to remove all dirt and grime. Next, apply a good-quality acrylic sealer. Several... Read More

Yes, cracks can be repaired. Depending on the width of the crack, it can be filled with a polyester resin. If the crack is small, clean it thoroughly with acetone, making sure to remove all dirt; a dental pick may prove useful here. After the crack... Read More

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

This white cast is very common with Mexican tile. Hard water and chlorine from your swimming pool are depositing a white salt on the surface. To remove this white haze, a mild acid washing is necessary. Use a mild acid such as sulfamic acid ... Read More