Stone & Tile Restoration

For daily and light cleaning, use a good stone soap, which will not harm the gold or brass fixtures. For heavier-duty cleaning, remove the fixtures or protect them with masking tape. Be careful when using acidic cleaners, since acids will tarnish the... Read More

The green growth you see is probably algae. Algae usually grows were there is abundant moisture. My guess would be that the tile stays wet after a rainstorm, allowing the algae to grow. To clean it, prepare a solution of bleach and water; about one... Read More

This white cast is very common with Mexican tile. Hard water and chlorine from your swimming pool are depositing a white salt on the surface. To remove this white haze, a mild acid washing is necessary. Use a mild acid such as sulfamic acid ... Read More

Mexican tile is a clay terra cotta-type product, and is very absorbent. In order to remove the oil a poultice is necessary. Refer to “Stain Removal Guide for Stone” and carry out the procedure it describes. If the stain is not removed after four... Read More

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

First, has the tile been sealed? There are several urethane coatings on the market that are used to coat Mexican tile. These urethanes are sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light and will turn yellow. Strip the floor and apply a Mexican tile sealer.... Read More

This cloudy-white condition is common on tiles that have been coated with an acrylic wax. Consider having the floor stripped and re-coated with a good-quality Mexican tile sealer. TIP Mexican tile is a clay product and is extremely soft and very... Read More

Pickled Mexican clay tiles are pickled at the factory. It is difficult to re-pickle the tile after it has been installed. This is a job for a professional, and it will be very expensive, since all the grout will have to masked to keep the pickling... Read More

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

This has always presented a problem. If the marble adjacent to the fixtures is severely pitted, I would recommend hiring a plumber to remove the fixtures and then hire you to refinish the vanity. Once the marble has been refinished, let them know to... Read More