Category: Articles

If you plan to list your home for sale, it’s a good idea to put professional stone and tile restoration on your to-do list. A simple way to improve buyer appeal and help your home sell quickly for the price you are asking is by having clean, elegant, welcoming floors and surfaces. According to Bankrate.com, the number one turnoff for buyers when they enter a home is a lack of overall cleanliness. Stone and tile can be freshly cleaned, but still look (and smell) dirty. Here’s why:

Odors

Grout is porous, so it can trap all kinds of odors, but especially pet odors, which can be a deal-breaker for many homebuyers. Professional tile and grout cleaning leaves your floors smelling clean and fresh. Grout lines can be color sealed, for a fresh, spot-free, uniform appearance.

Mildew

Eliminating allergens and other pollutants from your bath and shower areas is especially important for potential buyers with allergies. If they walk into the bathroom and see problematic grout lines, they’re likely to turn around and leave. Regular cleaning methods and even professional cleaning services cannot achieve the same level of deep-down clean as professional tile and grout cleaning.

Stains and etches

Natural stone can be perfectly sanitized, yet appear dirty if it is stained or etched. Many homebuyers see stains and etches on natural stone and raise unwarranted red flags about the overall cleanliness of the home. Most stains can be removed. Etches can be honed away and then polished to restored the finish of the stone.

Scratches and dullness

Thousands of tiny scratches and other signs of wear can make the surface of natural stone look dull and dirty. Larger scratches leave the (inaccurate) impression that the stone ought to be replaced. Professional honing and polishing will restore the factory finish of your natural stone.

Floors and surfaces that look brand new create a positive first impression. If you are selling your home, don’t let your stone and tile become a deal-breaker, and don’t replace your stone and tile! Have it professionally restored.

What is Jerusalem Limestone?

Sometimes our clients are misinformed by stone fabricators or installers about what to expect from their natural stone. This is especially true of Jerusalem limestone. If you are selecting natural stone and considering Jerusalem limestone or if you already have Jerusalem limestone, this article may be of interest to you.

Appearance

Jerusalem limestone, including Jerusalem Gold, Jerusalem Gray Gold, Jerusalem Pearl, and more, is quarried in Israel. It comes in a variety of rustic colors and finishes.

Durability

Jerusalem limestone is soft, which means it can become scratched. It is porous, so if it is not properly sealed, spills can quickly turn into stains. As a calcite-based stone, Jerusalem limestone is susceptible to etching.

Problematic Applications

Varieties of Jerusalem limestone that contain a lot of fossils may be susceptible to spalling (surface flaking or peeling). Jerusalem limestone is not ideal for very high traffic areas since its density can be inconsistent.

Professional Care

Professional attention can make a big difference in the appearance of Jerusalem limestone. It should be periodically deep cleaned and sealed. Most stains can be removed, and if surface damage occurs, it can be honed and polished away by with professional stone restoration.

Marble and other calcium-based natural stones are sometimes sold as granite. Since there are differences between marble and granite when it comes to acid sensitivity and porosity, accurately identifying stone will, in most cases, allow stone owners to predict how their stone will react if it is exposed to acidic substances or moisture and take the necessary precautions to avoid etch damage and staining. So how do you avoid etch damage and stains associated with stone misidentification? Here are the details.

The Science Behind Etching and Staining

Acidic substances, such as lemon juice or wine, will chemically react with calcium carbonate in marble, resulting in etch damage to the finish. In general, granite is not acid-sensitive, and most cases, as long as your granite is not misidentified marble, you should not need to worry about granite etch damage. However, some granites contain an acid-sensitive calcium binder mineral, which can etch.

Marble is generally not as porous as granite, therefore it is not likely to absorb as much moisture as granite. A stone owner whose marble is actually granite may not be as concerned about having the stone properly sealed, resulting in an unpleasant surprise when spills and splatters are quickly absorbed by the stone and turn into stains.

How to Avoid Etch Damage and Stains

One sure way to prevent etch and stain damage on countertops is to never allow your stone to come into contact with acidic or colorful substances. Obviously, this is completely unrealistic and impractical. The good news is that there are new protection treatments available on the market today that actually prevent etching and stains. Contact us to learn more. Otherwise, here are some precautions you can take:

• Use a cutting board with a perimeter well for collecting juices.
• Immediately clean spills and splatters with a pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaner.
• Ask your stone professional to evaluate your countertops or perform this simple countertop usability test yourself. Then have the countertops professionally sealed, if necessary. Please note that sealers buy some time for you to clean up spills before they turn into stains, but sealers do not provide etch protection.

What To Do If Your Countertop Is Already Etched or Stained

If your countertop has a small etch or stain, it may be possible to remove it yourself, if you are so inclined. Watch this how-to video on etch removal or check out our Stain Removal Application, which includes a how-to video on stain removal. You are always welcome to give us a call with specific questions or to schedule professional natural stone countertop restoration services.

Selecting natural stone is a lot like selecting art work. Each slab is a unique, valuable geological display, so it makes sense to use as much of the material as possible, not only for your kitchen or bath design, but also by repurposing the remnants. After you have made your selection and we have decided on a design, we can let you know whether there will be usable leftover materials and set those aside for you should you choose to purchase them once the fabrication process is complete. Following are some suggested uses for natural stone remnants.

Natural Stone Tabletops and Stands

Complete any seating area with a small table for magazines, a crossword puzzle, or a few books. A c-table, named for its shape, can be snuggly tucked around a bed, chair, or couch, making it a convenient place to put a drink, snack, or laptop. Nesting tables are ideal for folks who live in small spaces. For very small remnants, use various base heights to create stands for sculptures, decorative pieces, plants, flowers, and other items.

Natural Stone Food Prep Surfaces

Natural stone is not an appropriate material for regular cutting boards, because soft stones like marble will scratch easily and hard stones like granite will quickly ruin knives. However, you can perfectly slice hard and soft cheeses on a natural stone board with a groove aligned to receive an integrated stainless steel slicing wire. Since stone tends to remain cooler than room temperature, a piece fitted with non-skid feet would make an ideal surface for pastry prep, keeping dough nice and firm throughout the rolling and cutting process.

Natural Stone Architectural Accents

Add elegance to your home or business with natural stone accents, such as fireplace surrounds, windowsills, backsplashes, stepping stones and more.

Natural Stone Accessories

From raised dog feeding ledges to soap dishes, natural stone accessories can add a touch of elegance to your normal routine. Use natural stone remnants for matching coasters, trivets, serving trays, candle holders, and more. The possibilities are endless.

Fabricators and restoration contractors often get calls about cracks in natural stone countertops. Sometimes these “cracks” are not cracks at all, but fissures, a feature of the stone that resembles a crack. How does one go about determining whether a countertop has a fissure or a crack? It all boils down to observation.

Naturally Occurring Versus Human Intervention

Fissures are a result of naturally occurring phenomenon, such as geological and environmental forces, crystallization of minerals, and other conditions. Cracks are a result of man-made stresses, such as transport from the quarry to the fabricator or from fabricator to a residence or commercial facility. Man-made stresses may also happen during the installation process.

Visual Differences

Knowing what to look for can help with determining whether you are dealing with a fissure or a crack. Fissures are elongated but extremely narrow openings along the boundaries of crystalline structures in the stone. The visible separation usually remains within the depth of the stone, although it sometimes can go entirely through. Fissures often appear in more than one place on the slab and are rarely straight. Cracks can be narrow or wide, usually only appear in one place on the slab, and may go through the entire depth of the stone. Cracks caused by stresses during the installation process are commonly observed in straight lines near supporting structures.

Tactile Differences

Knowing how a crack or fissure feels when you run your fingernail across the surface of the stone can help you determine whether you are dealing with a fissure or a crack. Your fingernail will run smoothly over a fissure, because a fissure does not change the plane of the stone, and it does not cause any gaps or depressions in the stone. However, your fingernail will not run smoothly over a crack. There will be noticeable unevenness, as one side of the crack is often higher than the other side. In other words, a crack can change the plane of the stone, and your fingernail will catch on the difference.

From Fissure to Crack

A fissure is not a crack, and although fissures rarely affect the soundness of the stone, sometimes a fissure can develop into a crack. You will know if this happens because there will be some chipping, separation, and obvious breakage.

What To Do About Fissures and Cracks

Fissures are naturally occurring and add to the character of stone. As such, nothing at all should be done about them. Some people who purchase quartz, onyx, or other translucent stones under-light them to bring attention to fissures and other natural features. Cracks, on the other hand, are structural defects that can worsen over time and may harbor bacteria and contaminants. Cracks should be repaired by a trained and qualified stone restoration contractor who can determine whether underlying structural repairs are needed and match the repair site as closely as possible with the surrounding stone.

A question our clients frequently ask is, “How can I remove water rings on my polished marble?” This article explains what “water rings” are, and what you can do about them.

Cause of Water Rings

Polished marble ideally has a glossy, glass-like, reflective finish. “Water rings,” although seemingly insignificant, can really diminish the appearance of polished marble when the lighting is just right. Blemishes on polished marble or other natural stone that are commonly mistaken and referred to as water rings are generally etch marks. Etching is chemical surface damage caused by acidic or high alkaline substances.

Removing Water Rings

If the etching is mild, that is, if you can run your finger across the surface of the stone and the finish still feels smooth, then you should be able to use a high-quality marble polishing compound to remove the etch.

Professional Services May Be Necessary

If the etching is severe, that is, if you run your finger across the surface of the stone and the finish feels rough, then the etch should be removed by a professional stone restoration contractor. Attempting to remove a severe etch on your own could result in further damage to the surface of the stone.

How to Prevent Water Rings

What can you do to prevent etch damage? Use drink coasters. Clean up spills immediately. On marble kitchen countertops, don’t store wine bottles, vinegar bottles, or similar items directly on the stone, and on marble vanity tops, don’t store cosmetic products directly on the stone. Instead, use trays to store items on your tops.

Contrary to what you may have heard, marble sealers cannot prevent etch damage. Sealers penetrate the surface of the stone to inhibit liquids from being absorbed into the stone. Acidic and high alkaline substances don’t need to be absorbed into the stone to cause damage, they merely have to come into contact with the stone. There are, however, some new solutions on the market to prevent etching on countertops and vanity tops.

Feel free to contact us for specific etch removal product recommendations, to learn more about etch prevention solutions, or to schedule professional etch removal services.

Alkaline Can Etch Natural Stone

Many people who own marble countertops, floors, or other surfaces are aware that acidic substances like vinegar, lemon, tomato, etc. can cause etching on natural stone, but did you know that substances that are high in alkaline can also cause etching?

About Alkaline Etch Damage

Liquid Plumber, alkaline strippers, ammonia, and heavy duty stone cleaners can cause alkaline etch damage on natural stone because of a chemical reaction in which alkaline salts are deposited into the surface of the stone. An alkaline etch mark is similar in appearance to an acid etch mark.

A persistent white spot on a glass from your dishwasher is an example of an alkaline etch. Dishwashing detergents tend to be high in alkaline, and if your rinse cycle is not thorough enough, the alkaline causes chemical damage to the surface of the glass. That is why the spot does not disappear when you dry it with a towel. Similarly, high alkaline substances cause etch damage on natural stone, and such damage cannot simply be wiped or cleaned away.

Removing Alkaline Etch Marks

If your natural stone is something other than polished marble, you may attempt to remove a moderate alkaline etch mark using a mild acid. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the area to avoid causing acid etch damage to the stone. Re-honing and re-polishing may be necessary. Please feel free to contact us with questions or concerns you have about alkaline etch damage.

Natural Stone Stains Can Be Removed

The key to successfully treating natural stone stains is cleaning up any spills and treating any resulting stains as soon as you can. The best way to remove a stain on stone or other porous hard surfaces is with a poultice. A poultice is simply a mixture of a chemical or cleaning agent to break down the stain and an absorbent material to draw the stain out of the pores of the stone. You can purchase convenient ready-made poultices or create your own.

Before you attempt to remove a stain, be aware that a stain is a discoloration, but not all discolorations are stains.

A true stain is always darker than the stained material. If it appears as a lighter color it is not a stain, but either a mark of corrosion (etching) made by an acid, or a caustic mark (bleaching) made by a strong base (alkali). In other words, a lighter color “stain” is always surface damage and has no relation whatsoever with the absorbency rate of the damaged material—stone or otherwise. There is not a single exception to this rule.

Stone Stain Removal: The Poulticing Method

As mentioned above, a poultice is the combination of a very absorbent medium (it must be more absorbent than the stone) mixed with a chemical, which is to be selected in accordance with the type of stain to be removed. The concept is to re-absorb the stain out of the stone. The chemical will attack the stain inside the stone, and the absorbent agent will pull them both out together. The absorbent agent can be the same all the time, regardless of the nature of the stain to be removed, but the chemical will be different—in accordance with the nature of the staining agent—since it will have to interact with it.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about removing a stain from your natural stone.

Can you use limestone in a shower?

Natural stone showers, whether tub-surround or walk-in, play an important role in bathroom design and function. Stone selections vary by color, markings, and finishes, but most importantly, by stone type. If you have been considering limestone for your new shower installation, you may be better off with quartzite. Keep reading to learn why.

About Limestone

Formed in shell beds and composed primarily of sedimentary calcite, limestone may contain small marine fossils. It is a beautiful stone, but it is also soft and prone to etching and staining. The success of a limestone shower installation depends on its density and porosity, which can be difficult to determine at the time of purchase. While some installations may be trouble-free, others can present difficulties.

Fred Hueston, Chief Technical Director for Stone and Tile PROS, warns, “People use limestone in showers all the time, but it can be very high maintenance, and sometimes it can be problematic, especially light colored stone. Iron oxidation rusting can be a major issue. I have seen all kinds of problems with limestone in showers, from spalling and flaking to discoloration due to moisture intrusion.”

Can you use quartzite in a shower?

A metamorphosed and slightly iridescent sandstone, quartzite is often used in outdoor areas, but is perfectly suitable for interior use, as well. According to Hueston, quartzite is a more reliable substitute for people who have been eyeing limestone for a shower installation. There are a few pro quos, however. He says, “I would recommend quartzite for a shower installation, assuming it is properly installed, and assuming it is pure quartzite, not marble being sold as quartzite, a common shady practice in the market today.”

Obviously, one should be careful to choose a reputable fabricator when having quartzite, or any stone for that matter, installed in a shower. Feel free to contact us with any specific questions you may have about selecting natural stone for your shower installation.

Sealing Stone in Wet Conditions

There are no pat answers to sealing natural stone, which is why we recommend that an informed professional always be called on for determining the best solutions for your stone. Not only are there are many types of sealers that perform differently and accomplish different things, as you will see in the following article from Fred M. Hueston, Chief Technical Director for Surface Care and troubleshooting expert, sometimes sealing may not be appropriate at all…

I receive several calls a week with questions about the use of impregnating-type sealers for use on outdoor stone as well as interior stone, such as showers, water fountains, and other wet areas. The questions are all basically the same: Should I seal my stone in wet conditions? Let me explain why stone in wet areas should not be sealed.

But first, there are a couple of definitions you’ll need to know…

Impregnators or penetrating sealers: Impregnators are designed to penetrate below the surface of the stone and deposit solid particles in the pores of the stone or to coat the individual minerals below the surface of the stone. These sealers restrict water, oil, and dirt from entering the stone. Impregnators can be solvent or water based. Most impregnators are vapor permeable.

Vapor permeable: Vapor permeability describes a stones breathability, or the ability to allow water vapor to pass through it.

The Case for Not Sealing Stone in Wet Environments

Most of the impregnators on the market today are breathable. This simple means that the stone will be protected from water entering the pores of the stone in liquid form but will allow water vapor to pass. Sometimes, stone is exposed to unregulated humidity and temperature fluctuations, and the result is condensation. Impregnators are breathable. Therefore, vapor can easily penetrate into the stone. One would think that this is positive, but once the vapor enters the stone it can condense and become a liquid. Since impregnators protect against water in its liquid phase, the moisture becomes trapped within the stones pores and will not escape until it turns into vapor and evaporates.

Trapped moisture can result in all kinds of problems. For example, stones with iron content can oxidize. If there are natural salts within the stone, the salt can dissolve and cause pitting and spalling in the surface of the stone. Aesthetically, the stone will appear darker since it is constantly wet.

More Research Will Be Necessary

There are currently several people in the natural stone industry doing experiments to demonstrate that sealer in wet environments can cause these issues and to discover in what circumstances, if any, sealers in wet environments may be appropriate. For example, sealed shower walls may be fine, while sealing the shower floor may pose problems. Although their findings are not yet published, I strongly believe that care should be taken when sealing stone in wet environments.