Q: I just purchased an extremely light colored travertine slate for my front room, but would like a richer, darker color for the slate. Since it has not yet been sealed, can the slate be "colored" or "stained" before it is installed? A: Are you... Read More

Q. I am interested in buying a house but don't like the ceramic tile in the foyer and kitchen. It is a light color and I would like it to be darker. Can tile be recolored or only the grout? Tearing it up and replacing is out of budget right now... Read More

How to Prevent Urine Stains on Marble Floors In men’s restrooms with marble floors, urine stains and odors can be a real problem. Since marble is porous, marble floors in men’s restrooms should be sealed to inhibit staining. The sealer... Read More

Marble Floors Are Not Ideal for a Restaurant Environment Marble floors are not typically recommended for use in restaurants because they can be easily scratched, stained, and damaged by spills, heavy foot traffic, and dropped items. Marble is a... 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

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. 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

I would not recommend using bleach on any marble floor as a daily cleaner. Household bleach can cause staining on certain types of marble. Advise your customer to use only a good stone soap or neutral cleaner. TIP: Occasionally, you will see bleach... Read More