Stone & Tile Restoration

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can put on the floor that will prevent it from scratching. You may find it useful to place several walk-off mats, both inside and outside the entrances, to help trap most of the sand. Dust-mopping the floor as... Read More

The water spots are, of course, literally caused by the hard water. There are several silicone waxes that can be applied to the tile to help prevent them from forming. A vinegarand-water mixture works well for removing these spots. TIP If this... Read More

Since the acid has etched the marble, the etching will require honing and polishing to remove. Call in a professional stone specialist, since this work can be quite difficult. TIP Etch marks caused by acid bathroom cleaner can penetrate very deep in... Read More

Most janitorial supply stores carry non-acid bowl cleaners. Many bathroom cleaners also contain acids and these should be avoided around marble. TIP Household bleach also makes a good toilet bowl cleaner and should not etch the marble but if you do... Read More

There are several techniques that can be used to bring it back, but first it is necessary to determine why the floor has faded. If the fading is due to excessive wear from foot traffic, resurfacing and polishing should return the color. If the fading... Read More

There are several methods of sealer application. Most sealers can be sprayed on, mopped on or applied with a lamb’s-wool applicator. I prefer the lamb’s-wool applicator because it prevents streaking. Before choosing a method of... Read More

Unfortunately, most polyurethane finishes require strong solvent-based chemicals for removal. Methylene-chloride strippers as well as a number of safe strippers are available, but be forewarned: removing polyurethane is a messy job. I know several... Read More

Cigarette burns will leave a yellow nicotine stain, which can be difficult to remove. The heat from the cigarette can also melt the stone. The melting damage can only be repaired by honing the marble. The yellow nicotine stain can be removed by... Read More

Wax build-up on a vertical surface can be difficult to remove, since most strippers will run. Janitorial supply stores do offer spray-on baseboard wax removers that work very well; since they are applied as a foam, they will cling to vertical... Read More

The spotting can be caused by dripping toilet bowl cleaners, which can etch the marble surface. As of this writing there are no sealers that will prevent acid etching. I would suggest purchasing a non-acidic bathroom bowl cleaner, available at most... Read More