STONE AND TILE TIPS FOR THE INDUSTRY COMMON STONE
PROBLEMS
1. Loss of Shine: The loss of the high polish on
certain marble and granite can be attributed to wear. This
is especially true of marble, since it is much softer than
granite. The bottoms of ones shoe acts like sandpaper on a
stone floor surface and overtime will wear the polish off.
To repair a worn stone surface, it will be necessary to have
a professional hone or polish it. The dull spot created when
liquids containing acids are spilled on marble is called etching.
Marble and limestone etch very easily. Serpentine and granite
is more acid-resistant and will rarely etch.
2. Etching: To prevent
etching, avoid using cleaners and chemicals that contain
acids. Bathroom cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and lemon
cleaners commonly contain acids. Certain drinks and foods
contain acids and will also etch. Light etching can be removed
with a little marble polishing powder. Deep etching will
require resurfacing of the stone.
3. Staining: All stone
surfaces can become stained very easily. Most foods, drinks,
ink, oil and rust will stain marble. Once a stone becomes
stained, it can be very difficult to remove. To prevent
staining, clean the spilled material immediately. Blot the
spill with a clean paper towel or cloth. If this does not
remove the stain, then a process called "poulticing"
may be needed. For more information on poulticing, please
refer to our brochure "Removing stains from Marble,
Stone and Other Porous Surfaces". To prevent staining,
sealing the stone with a good quality penetrating sealer
is important.
4. Efflorescence: Efflorescence
appears as a white powdery residue on the surface of the
stone. It is a common condition on new stone installations
or when the stone is exposed to a large quantity of water,
such as flooding. This powder is a mineral salt, from the
setting bed. To remove efflorescence, do not use water.
Buff the stone with a clean polishing pad or #0 steel wool
pad. The stone will continue to effloresce until it is completely
dry. This drying process can take several days to as long
as one year.
5. Spalling: Flaking & Pitting - If
your stone is developing small pits or small pieces of stone
are popping off the surface (spalling) then you have a problem.
This condition is common on stone exposed to amounts of
water or when deicing salts are used for ice removal. Like
efflorescence, mineral salts are the cause for spelling
and pitting. Instead of the salts depositing surface (effflorescence),
they deposit below the surface of the stone, causing pressure
within the stone and therefore the stone spells, flakes
or pits. Unfortunately once it begins to spell it is almost
impossible to repair. It is recommended that the stone be
replaced.
6. Yellowing: There are several reasons
why a stone will turn yellow. Embedded dirt and grime can
give the stone a yellow, dingy look. Waxes and other coatings
can yellow with age. Certain stones will naturally yellow
with age. This is caused by oxidation of iron within the
and especially problematic with white marbles. If the yellowing
is caused by dirt or buildup, clean the stone with an.alkaline
cleaner or wax stripper. If the yellowing is result of aged
stone or oxidation, live with it. It is not coming out.
7. Uneven Tile Lippage: Lippage is the
term given to tiles that are set unevenly. In other words,
the edge of one tile is higher than the next. Lippage is
the result of a poor installation. If the lippage is higher
than the thickness of a nickel, it is considered excessive
and the tile will have to be ground to flatten the floor.
This will require the services of a professional stone refinishing
contractor.
