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Frequently Asked Questions Q: What should I have on hand to maintain my tile and stone? A: 1.
For all stone: cleaners such as Dawn soap (blue),
Simple Green, or marble/natural stone cleaner Q: Are there any products that I shouldn’t use? A: Some cleaners etch. Always check the label on any product you might use. Test the product in an inconspicuous area first. Q: How long can I expect the sealer to last? A: This all depends on your daily maintenance, the surface it has been applied to, and the amount of use the area receives. Kitchen counters usually need it more often as many foods can eat away at the sealer (orange juice, coke, wine, lemon juice, tomato sauce, coffee, eggs, gravy, yogurt, buttermilk, sour cream, aged cheeses, and hard water). Bathroom vanities are high usage areas which require protection from cosmetics, shaving creams, and soaps. In contrast, guest bathrooms which are used less often, require less maintenance. Here at Daybreak Stoneworks, we suggest a deep cleaning, polishing and/or sealing once a year for your kitchen and master baths. Q: What is “resurfacing” and what are the benefits of resurfacing? A: Benefits of professional resurfacing:
How we do it:
Q: How often do I need to have my stone resurfaced? A: Again, that all depends on the daily maintenance. Scratches, spots, and etch marks will occur due to normal use. Cleaning, polishing/honing, and sealing on a regular basis will keep your surfaces looking new. Surfaces which have had little or no maintenance will require more extensive resurfacing which will result in higher costs.Q: I can't get the water spots off my marble countertop and floor. What can I do? A: The "water spots" are not really water spots but etch marks caused by some type of acid product that was either dripped or spilled on the marble. The etch marks can be removed by resurfacing the damaged area and then either polishing or honing, then sealing. ** FYI: Travertine, limestone, and marble are all acid sensitive stones. Some cleaners, soaps, shampoos, and other products contain acid and when spilled or dripped on a stone surface will remove the polish therefore leaving it dull. Q: Why do I always get white residue marks around the faucets on my granite countertop and how can I get rid of them? A: The white residue is actually a mineral deposit left when the water evaporates. The white residue can be removed and then we recommend that the area be resealed with a penetrating sealer. Q: My stone shower is looking really grundgy and I can never seem to get it clean. What can I do? A: It depends on how
old your stone is, whether it was ever sealed,
and what cleaning products have been used on it.
It might simply need a good professional cleaning
and sealing or it might need to be resurfaced
if the stone is actually damaged. We recommend
that you have a professional stone technician
assess the shower. Q: Do you clean exterior stone? A: Yes, we do. We pressure wash the stone surface and then seal it with a penetrating sealer. Depending on the type of surface (pavers, concrete, slate, etc.) there are different products that can be used to produce different ‘looks’. We can use enhancers and topcoats as well as penetrating sealers. Talk to one of our technicians for more information. Q: Do you replace cracked or broken tiles? A: Yes, we do, as long as you have the replacement tiles. Depending on the type of surface (pavers, concrete, slate, etc,), there are several local places to start your hunt for older tile styles. Q: Do you do regrouting or recaulking? A: Yes, we do, however, there is no guarantee that new grout or caulk will match the existing grout/caulk. Do you know the name/color of the grout? That always helps. Some homeowners have been happiest when we replace all the grout on the surface that is being worked on. Q: What is the best stone to use? A: Many people ask, "What stone should I buy?" or "What is the difference between Travertine, Limestone, Slate, Marble, and Soapstone?" - The answers to these questions can be found in the article and photos to the right titled “Learning About Natural Stone”.
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Learning About Natural Stones Travertine is a form of limestone. It forms near hot bubbly mineral rich springs, which create a pitted surface. These pitts can be filled, giving the travertine a more finished look. The filled pits, although sealed, will pop out eventually. The larger the hole or pit, the better the chance of popping. Leaving the stone unfilled will affect the durability and will attract dirt much easier.
This is a calcareous stone. It is highly reactive to the acids found in lemons, vinegar, alcohol, etc. which will etch the stone by leaving marks and rings. It varies in hardness, density, and porosity. Even the hardest tiles will still scratch. It's not as soft as soapstone and not as hard as granite. Crema Marfil is a beige limestone from Spain. It is often simply referred to as a marble. Honed or polished, it is one of the most beautiful marbles.
The “water spots” in the second picture are actually etch marks caused by using the wrong cleaners or by acids sitting on the surface. Slate is actually compacted mud formed on ancient sea beds. Sometimes you can find actual plant fossils on the surface which can become a great focal point in any project. This is a siliceous stone highly resistant to acids. Lemons, alcohol, and acidic cleaning products won’t etch or mark the surface however, like soapstone, slate scratches easily. The surface finish on the denser varieties of slate are usually honed (matte finish – not shiny or reflective). It's too soft to be polished to a high gloss finish. It can also be sandblasted to obtain a rough textured finish. Some slates are much softer than others depending on their origin. Slates from the US, Canada, and UK are usually harder.
The cleft finish or the rough and uneveness of slate gives the stone a natural beauty and character. For this reason, it is a good choice for floors but, a poor choice for counters. Slate which is installed outdoors needs to be sealed correctly or it will weather and chip away. |
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