Care and Maintenance

Q. I've heard some people say that all stone should be sealed. Others say this isn't the case. How do I know if I should seal my countertop? A. This is a tricky question. Why? Because not all stone was created equal. Add to that the fact... Read More

Q. My house cleaning service may have used an acid-based bathroom cleaner on my marble vanity top and caused damage. Can this be fixed? A. If the damaged area is small and not too severe, you can try to fix it yourself with a quality marble polishing... Read More

Q. How should I perform routine maintenance for my granite countertops? A. Granite countertops will give you a lifetime of easy to maintain elegance if you use the right products. Don't use the wrong products. Be sure that you follow some simple... 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.  I have Ubatuba granite & it is filmy, looks dull & leaves water spots on it when I wipe it. How can I fix this? A. It is not the stone itself that is the problem but something on the surface of the stone. It may be a dish soap residue... Read More

Q. I just had my floors refinished, how do I maintain them?   A. There are several things you want to avoid when maintaining your floors, as well as some of the best practices for floor maintenance:    Don't use stone soap. Don't damp... Read More

Q. How do I care for my newly installed floors?   A. The best thing to have done to a brand-new polished stone floor is a detailing job by a properly trained janitor, or a professional stone refinisher. Detailing means deep-cleaning every square... Read More

Q. I know that I can use mineral oil on my soapstone to age or give a nice patina to my soapstone, but how do I remove the excess mineral oil from the surface of the stone? A. To remove excess mineral oil from soapstone, you could use denatured... Read More

Q. When will I know if it is time to re-seal my granite?A. To find out if your granite or other natural stone is still adequately sealed, spill some water on it and wait for approximately half an hour, then wipe it dry. If the surface of the stone... Read More

Q. I understand that some stones are more porous than others and one application of sealer/impregnator may not be enough. But how will I know?A. On granites, at least two applications of sealer are recommended, with at least two hours in between... Read More