Q. The floor of my shower stall is covered with grouted sliced stones on mesh. The contractor sealed the floor with a "wet-enhancing" sealer about 3 years ago. I've noticed that the lighter stones have become rust-colored. (We have hard water... Read More

Q. I am wondering how to clean the marble step into our bathroom shower. It has a lot of dark brown crud -- I'm assuming it's mineral deposits -- that have built up over the years where the aluminum frame of the shower door meets the marble... Read More

Q. I randomly stumbled on your website. I have a quick question if you’re willing to share advice. I have marble (or it’s quartzite) in my bathroom, and somehow it’s rusting where the faucet is. The stone is changing a rust color. I... Read More

When poulticing a rust stain on a marble floor, the stain can become darker and more wide spread. What is happening? Chances are the source of the rust is under the tile. A nail or metal object may have been left behind when the tile was installed.... Read More

Q. I am having problems with my new marble paver Florida patio. The stone is turning yellow on the edges. I have some success with cleaning, but the yellow keeps returning, and it seems to come back a little worse each time. Thank you!   A. The... Read More

Q. Is granite sensitive to acids? A. Unlike marble, granite is not a calcite based stone and is not generally vulnerable to acids. However, some stones, even though they are marketed as granite, may in fact have calcium in their makeup. Furthermore,... Read More

The "Orange Peel" Effect on Marble Working with marble polishing powders is both an art and a science. Improper use of polishing powders can result in what is known in the stone and tile industry as "orange peel," that is, marble that has a dull and... Read More

When recrystallization is used on Thassos marble, yellowing can occur. The yellowing is probably caused by a reaction of the chemicals in the recrystallization product and the iron in the marble. Not all recrystallization products cause this... Read More

Q. Can Corian™ and cultured marble be treated like real marble? A. The daily care and cleaning of Corian™ and cultured marble are similar to that of natural marble, but professional repair and restoration methods are different. If your customer... Read More

Use a quality stripper/degreaser for marble. Always test the stripper in a small area to make sure there are no adverse effects. Chances are that when all the wax is removed, the marble will appear dull. Let your customer know that there are two... Read More