Care and Maintenance

Q. The unsanded grout used for our shower states it’s not necessary to seal grout. However, I decided to but notice the grout does not bead off the grout joints as I feel it should, even after 2 coats.   A. You may be using a poor quality... Read More

Q. We have a tumbled travertine (unsealed) stone floor in our shower. I really need to know how to deep clean this floor, as it has gotten bad - a bit scummy, mildewy, and moldy. How should I clean my shower floor? Can you help? A. Keeping your... Read More

Q. Discolored granite near sink. Darker near soap dispenser. It's obvious that we didn't seal it properly because it was perfect when it was installed 4 years ago. I tried doing couple DYI solutions to remove Paris of plaster w water... Read More

Q. What are those white dots on my white marble?   A. This article, by Frederick M. Hueston, Stone Forensics, provides the answer.Have you ever wondered what those white dots are on white marble? You sometimes see thousands of them in high... Read More

Q. We are building a new house in South Louisiana. We have a 4-inch concrete slab on the ground. Because we are in a flood zone, we had to build up. So, we have concrete piers and wooden beams that our house actually sits on. We then have 1 1/4"... Read More

Q. What is the best way to fill holes in travertine tiles?A. One quick and effective way of filling holes in honed travertine is to squeeze some almond-colored caulking material in the holes. Fill in excess, push the filler in as deep as possible... Read More

Q. How can I find out if I need to seal my stone?A. To find out if your stone should be sealed, spill some water on it and wait for approximately half an hour, then wipe it dry. If the surface of the stone did not darken where the water was, it means... Read More

Q. Is there a product that will remove water rings from a polished marble surface?A. What are commonly mistakenly referred to as water rings are generally etch marks. Etching is actually surface damage caused by a chemical reaction from an acidic... Read More

Q. How do I remove a rust stain on my marble floor?A. Rust is one of the most difficult stains to remove from marble, granite and other stone surfaces. Many of the rust removers available in stores can damage stone. We have found a great method for... Read More

Q. How can I prevent stains from occurring on my stone?A. If your stone is porous, it can absorb liquids. In this case, you will want to make sure to have it sealed properly with an impregnating sealer. Sealers for stone are designed to fill the... Read More