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

I can’t seem to mop my Mexican tile floor! It sucks up water as quickly as I put it on. Any suggestions?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 771 0/5 (0 Vote)

Has the tile been sealed? It sounds as if it hasn’t been. Clean the floor thoroughly and apply several coats of a good-quality sealer. If the floor has been sealed, then it does not have enough sealer. Clean it and apply additional sealer. 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

The marble under the carpet in my customer’s front foyer has yellowed. What can I use to remove the yellowing?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 709 0/5 (0 Vote)

The yellowing is the result of moisture becoming trapped under the carpet. The carpet’s jute backing or dyes from its rubber backing have bled into the stone. To remove this yellowing, try the following steps: Clean the area with a solution of... Read More

Here’s a question my customer has asked and I don’t quite know how to answer. “Every time it rains, a blotchy light-and-dark stain appears on my granite sidewalk. If it stays dry for several weeks, it goes away. What is happening, and can

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 721 0/5 (0 Vote)

Most granite is very absorbent, and will soak up a large quantity of water. What your customer is seeing is moisture in the granite, which can take anywhere from several days to several months to dry out. Once the granite dries apply a penetrating... Read More

The white veins in the black marble floor in my customer’s bathroom appear to be crumbling and disintegrating. What’s causing this, and can it be repaired?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 629 0/5 (0 Vote)

Black marble, especially Negro marquina, is very susceptible to spalling. Spalling is a condition in which the stone flakes off and falls apart. Several factors can cause spalling: excess moisture, choice of setting material and method, the polishing... 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 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

Which granites are harder, black, red or salt/peppers?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 805 0/5 (0 Vote)

There are many types of granites. The black granites are generally softer than others. The granites that wear easily are much softer then those that appear to last forever. FYI There are many types of granites and some fall into a category geological... Read More

Is it possible to restore a marble floor that has small two inch granite insets without touching the granite? The granite is in good shape but the marble is worn and dull.

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 614 0/5 (0 Vote)

There are several tricks you can use to hone and polish the marble without touching the granite. The best method is to cover the granite insets with duct tape. If you use resin bond diamonds starting at a 120, the diamonds should glide over the duct... Read More

How do I clean the grout lines after polishing? The grout is black and the white powder residue is difficult to remove.

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 632 0/5 (0 Vote)

There are several ways to remove this residue. First try using a solution of stone soap and warm water. Apply this solution with a string mop and pick up with a wet vacuum. Next time you polish granite with black grout lines add a small amount of... Read More

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