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Granite : black galaxy granite headstone

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:55:13 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: black galaxy granite headstone
Posted: 25 Jun 2009 at 5:55pm

Originally posted by mysicalstorm

Hello,

i found this site, findstone.com, and have read through some of the Q&A's. But i did not see anything specific to the care of granite, when it is used, not as a counter top, but as a headstone.
i tragically lost my 18 1/2 year old son on October 5th, 2008, due to the hazing rituals associated with fraternities, and after careful consideration, i decided on the 'black galaxy' granite, had it formed into a 3-part bench, and it came from India.
the stone was installed in Tucson Arizona, and this is a very dry climate. however the cemetery where my son is buried, waters the grass, at the least, in his section, every other day with well water, which leaves horrid water spots on the stone.
as of now, my sister and i re-wet the stone, then polish till our arms are ready to fall off, only to still have spots. i was told by some to 'not put any compound on the stone as it is living' and by others 'that it was ok to seal the stone' i am beyond confused about the care of the stone. i intend to take care of it for a long time to come, and want it to retain its beauty throughout time.
i would really appreciate any help that you would be willing to share.

please reply one way or the other i really need the help

Thank you all so much
Stacy

Hi MysicalStorm,

First off you need to get yourself some LTP Heavy Duty Grime Remover, so you can completely clean the stone.

The next step would be to check to see if it has been sealed previously and then seal if it was not or maybe if it was done; you may need to re-seal the stone as it may have lessened for some reason.

Once you have done these tasks, polish the stone once more for looks..

I hope this is helpful.

Alan

P.S. If the actual stone has changed colour, then there may be no way of rectifying this - maybe pay the firm that sold it to you a visit.

Limestone : Limestone preservation/conservation

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:57:01 UT

Author: DavidN
Subject: Limestone preservation/conservation
Posted: 25 Jun 2009 at 2:57pm

Hi, I'm doing a project in G�rlitzer park, Berlin.
In 1998 it was built a huge fountain in portugese limestone, and because of the climate conditions in Germany it broke down the first winter.
Ever since, it has been an argument over responsabilty in the courts.
My interest here is to do what I can do preserve these 'ruins', because as a public feature, the fountain still works. So what I'm wondering is how could it be possible to seal it to prevent any further erosion? Is there any kinds of paint etc. i have no idea if this would even be possible on such a large scale.

G�rlitzer park
here's a link with some photos and a bit of info.

All help is recieved with great thanks!

All the best

David Prytz
MA European Arts Practice
Kingston University, London

Water Stains : Hard Water Stains Tips

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:29:26 UT

Author: andrewmoquin
Subject: Hard Water Stains Tips
Posted: 25 Jun 2009 at 8:29am

Hi everybody! This is Andy and I have something to share with you regarding water stains. If you are suffering from hard water stains, I know some secret formula that would help you eliminate hard water stains.

Edited by findstone - 26 Jun 2009 at 1:30pm

Limestone : Vinegar on Limestone--arrrgh

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:08:38 UT

Author: alowrie200
Subject: Vinegar on Limestone--arrrgh
Posted: 24 Jun 2009 at 4:08am

Vinegar reacts with the calcium in stone and it sounds like your stone has been etched.

Edited by findstone - Yesterday at 12:58pm

General questions on all kinds of stones : What type of stone to buy?

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:45:29 UT

Author: jwisema3
Subject: What type of stone to buy?
Posted: 23 Jun 2009 at 9:45pm

Hey! In my opinion the perfect stone for you is Silestone. I have had Silestone for 2 years, and it is as low maintenance as you can get in a countertop. It does not scratch or stain because it is non-porous, and it is scorch resistant, you can put a hot pot on the stone and it will not scorch it. Also it is the only countertop with anti-microbial protection. I love it and I would recommend it to anyone!

General questions on all kinds of stones : Caesar Stone vs Silestone

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:38:51 UT

Author: jwisema3
Subject: Caesar Stone vs Silestone
Posted: 23 Jun 2009 at 9:38pm

In my opinion Silestone is better than Caesarstone, they have more than 60 different color choices. I have had Silestone for 2 years and not once had a problem with it. Silestone also has anti-microbial properties which I love. My kids get sick all the time, and the fact that my countertops try to prevent them from getting sick is amazing!

Sandstone : flagstone in a pool

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:38:14 UT

Author: alowrie200
Subject: flagstone in a pool
Posted: 23 Jun 2009 at 7:38pm

Any natural stone or masonry surrounding a saltwater pools should be sealed for protection to prevent pitting and flaking for the surface called "Spalling", This is caused by saltwater splash-outs penetrating into porous stone or concrete. The product you need is manufactured by DuPont specifically for stone and masonry surrounding saltwater pools.

Edited by findstone - Yesterday at 12:50pm

Slate : How to remove rust/reddish stain

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:04:53 UT

Author: Vashtie
Subject: How to remove rust/reddish stain
Posted: 22 Jun 2009 at 4:04pm

Our patio/porch slate floor has a rust or reddish stain that is growing and spreading over the slate. We have used water and soap trying to clean it but not successful. Appreciate any advice on how to clean/remove this stain. It appears to be some type of mold or fungus but not sure.

Vashtie

Sandstone : Building with Sandstone

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:24:21 UT

Author: MJMcD
Subject: Building with Sandstone
Posted: 19 Jun 2009 at 6:24pm

Recently the house next door to ours was demolished. Much of the historic home used sandstone for the foundation and the proprietor was kind enough to allow me to have it. I have several sandstone blocks that I would like to use in an outdoor project, but am not familiar with the stone, nor with the type of mortar I should use to ensure a good bond. I would like to build an outdoor fire pit or a fireplace, but am not sure if sandstone is the right material to use for this. It sounds like it is not good stone to use for pavers but must be decent for building. Can anyone provide advice on building with this stone?

Granite : UBATUBA

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:44:13 UT

Author: stonehouse
Subject: UBATUBA
Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 9:44pm

Uba Tuba often has black spots in it. As with all natural stone there is going to be variations in color and pattern. That is why it's important to inspect the piece that will become your countertop thoroughly before fabrication.

All granite needs to be sealed to protect against staining. Sealers have come a long way in recent years and are easy to apply and can last for many years.

Here is a link to some FAQs about granite countertops.

http://stonehousekitchens.net/?page_id=41

A quick search of the web will produce much more info about the maintenance granite coutertops as well.

Granite : Granite color matching question

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:34:13 UT

Author: stonehouse
Subject: Granite color matching question
Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 9:34pm

When selecting granite or other natural stone slabs for countertops it is important to be sure the slabs are all from the same lot. With that being said, the natural variations in granite, even from one end of a slab to the other can present challenges when laying out the templates for cutting. For instance, if the fabricator has laid out the templates in a way that one side of a seam is cut from a lighter side of the slab and then the other seam piece is cut from a darker side of the slab then the seam is not going to blend well. Any experianced fabricator would know better than to do it this way.

When we order slabs for a countertop job we ALLWAYS ensure all the slabs match. If the selected material has a lot of variation withing each slab we will consult with the customer about what aspects of the slab they like or do not like and invite them to stop by the shop to see the templates laid out on the slab prior to cutting. Setting the customer expectation is very important.

Ager can possibly help to darken the lighter side of the seam but the slabs deffinatly should have been from the same lot.

Granite : Fashionable colours for granite worktops

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:01:00 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Fashionable colours for granite worktops
Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 2:01pm

Hi all

In the past few years I have spoken to many people who either arelooking at purchasing or who have purchased black granite worktops fortheir home.

When I was studying many many moons ago, I looked at travel and tourism and i was taught a saying; tourism destroys tourism.

Don't you think the exact same could be said for any fashionable product or product - in this case being black granite.

Recently I have seen a real upsurge in the popularity of brown granite; in actual fact, I wrote an article on brown granite worktops a few weeks back and since writing the article I have spoken to a dozen more people who have also been interested - saying things like; "I just want something different to my friends kitchen".

I remember about 8 years ago thought that brown granite was the rage... Now it seems to be back.. Have any of you found this?

I must say though that there have been a number of other consumers, who have asked me about other colours, but although there is probably a long way to go before brown granite worktops take over, I do think that the days of black stone being the fashionable choice, are numbered!

Just my thoughts

Granite : Cracks & Seams

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:16:13 UT

Author: Rocky
Subject: Cracks & Seams
Posted: 18 Jun 2009 at 2:16am

I am a fabricator with my own shop so I hope I know a little about these subjects.

Everywhere I look in the forums there are people asking for help with cracks and poor seams. There is too much bad workmanship going on out there and it is really hurting fabricators who still take pride in their work.

A little helpful information for anyone considering granite:

1) Seams will always be visible but can certainly be minimized. A good seam will be tight, color matched, not have chips, and level. It takes good equipment and experience but it can be done. Ask to see an installation where there is a seam. If you don't like it, go to another fabricator.

2) Cracks are not a natural part of the stone. Fissures do exist but they are usually filled with resin during processing. Cracks aroung the sink and cooktop are fatal. A good installer will install metal rods in the areas in front and behind these areas to help reduce the chances of cracking. The stone should be installed on level counters so that all areas of the stone are properly supported. Again, go to the fab shop and see if they install rodding.

I encourage customers to visit so they can see the amount of work it requires to fabricate a quality product.

Marble : Many chipped edges on new marble foyer floor tiles

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:39:08 UT

Author: jsnorman
Subject: Many chipped edges on new marble foyer floor tiles
Posted: 16 Jun 2009 at 7:39pm

That was what I said. They told me that they used dry "hand" cutting rather than machine cutting; that machine cutting would be "even" but that hand cutting was preferred as it was more authentic.

Sounded like a load of BS to me .. but let me know if you think there is any truth.

Marble : repolishing grey and black marble

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:10:05 UT

Author: Aidan Weisz
Subject: repolishing grey and black marble
Posted: 16 Jun 2009 at 10:10am

It's a good thing you're dealing with a black marble here and not white.

Granite : UBATUBA

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:17:34 UT

Author: kbroph
Subject: UBATUBA
Posted: 15 Jun 2009 at 8:17pm

Hello, I just had my kitchen counters done with Ubatuba granite and it was supposedly from a piece that was left over in their yard. After they left I noticed a large solid black spot -- it almost looks like someone used a paint brush on it. I can still see "sparkles" coming thru. The granite people told me this is a normal "flaw" in the material. Is this correct? Also, how do I clean this product? From what I've read I guess I should not be using ordinary detergent. Also do I need to seal this product. thanks kbroph

Slate : slate in cold climate

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:43:14 UT

Author: chuvit
Subject: slate in cold climate
Posted: 14 Jun 2009 at 3:43pm

Can I use slate in a cold climates such as Noway ?

Sandstone : flagstone in a pool

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:10:20 UT

Author: wvmgee
Subject: flagstone in a pool
Posted: 11 Jun 2009 at 10:10pm

What is the formula to make the thinset, to lay flagstone underwater? I am trying to lay flagstone on the bottom and the walls of my underground pool. I would like to mix 1/2 sack of masonary cement and 16 shovels of sand. I would like to know what to mix with it to hold under water to withstand freeze and thaw.
Thank you very much, Wade Gee

Marble Stains / Spots : cat urine stain

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:13:42 UT

Author: Carolhr
Subject: cat urine stain
Posted: 11 Jun 2009 at 8:13pm

Nasty, I know. We kept our cats' litter box on the white cultured marble ledge by the bathtub. We didn't realize they were missing the litter box sometimes. The cultured marble is now stained yellow. Has anyone else ever had this type of stain? Any suggestions? Thanks.

General questions on all kinds of stones : Marble, travertine or limestone? (Tippi- Pakistan)

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:05:28 UT

Author: newtonhouse
Subject: Marble, travertine or limestone? (Tippi- Pakistan)
Posted: 10 Jun 2009 at 4:05pm

Hi
Just had a few floors laid in our villa with a product sold to us as marble but locally known as Tippi, I am totally confused as to what it actually is, ie marble, travertine or limestone.

The central motif in the picture is about 12feet wide with differant onyx and marbles, The surrounding 12x18inch tiles are the "Tippi" referred to

Many thanks and excuse my ignorance

Water Stains : thinset/flagstone for a pool

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:28:07 UT

Author: wvmgee
Subject: thinset/flagstone for a pool
Posted: 10 Jun 2009 at 1:28am

What is the formula to make the thinset, to lay flagstone underwater? I am trying to lay flagstone on the bottom and the walls of my underground pool. I would like to mix 1/2 sack of masonary cement and 16 shovels of sand. I would like to know what to mix with it to hold under water to withstand freeze and thaw.
Thank you very much, Wade Gee

Granite : Water stains on "sealed" granite

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:37:40 UT

Author: Todd123
Subject: Water stains on "sealed" granite
Posted: 09 Jun 2009 at 10:37pm

Hello Ceelo. What happened with your granite problems? Please post a follow-up if you can. I am thinking about getting Sensa granite because the SenGuard treatment seems very good but your posing makes me worried... Did the water leave a stain? Have you had any other problems with the granite? Thanks for the info; I hope things have been resolved for you.

Sandstone : Sandstone stain removal question

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:34:18 UT

Author: petersams
Subject: Sandstone stain removal question
Posted: 09 Jun 2009 at 11:34am

Almost all stoneworks like natural limestone and granite worktops is generally cleaned by warm water with mild detergent. Sandstone is prone in picking up dirt, greases and other oil dirt as well as dust. But it can also be cleaned with water and detergent. Just use a soft brush to scrub. Make sure that you leave it dry to prevent moisture.

Edited by findstone - 15 Jun 2009 at 2:18pm

Granite : Is "Labradorite River Blue" real granite?

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:40:02 UT

Author: gleeba
Subject: Is "Labradorite River Blue" real granite?
Posted: 09 Jun 2009 at 2:40am

Hi Bergzy,

Would love to see pics of your kitchen but your email address isn't listed. Mine is normiecrash@yahoo.com. Can't wait to see the Big Blue Flower!!

Granite : blue bahia

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:56:55 UT

Author: brokerbob
Subject: blue bahia
Posted: 08 Jun 2009 at 8:56pm

i have blue bahia for an kitchen island counter top. it is less then a year old and is showing stains and has something that looks white and kind of crystal like showing on the surface. any ideas what may be going on here? thanks

Water Stains : Fabricated vs. prefabricated

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:03:12 UT

Author: crystine
Subject: Fabricated vs. prefabricated
Posted: 08 Jun 2009 at 4:03pm

I heard from some fabricators that prefab granite is cheaper, lower quality than fabricated. But, whether slab or prefab counter top, doesn't depend where and how the granite is processed in the first place. I live near China and plan on importing granite from there, I am looking at SGS certified vendors. Anything I should be wary of? Some of the articles I have read on this forum, is that China is either 1 or 2nd in processing granite. Is this true?

Water Stains : Black Composite Granite Sink

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:58:07 UT

Author: crystine
Subject: Black Composite Granite Sink
Posted: 08 Jun 2009 at 3:58pm

I have one of these sinks and love it, I have very hard water and use white vinegar to clean it. It works great for water stains but not sure if it will work for what you have.

Marble : Many chipped edges on new marble foyer floor tiles

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 07:03:05 UT

Author: marblemann
Subject: Many chipped edges on new marble foyer floor tiles
Posted: 06 Jun 2009 at 7:03am

there really shouldnt be any chipping from the factory and if the installer is cutting the pieces to fit he is probably not using the right blade, alot of times the installer is in a hurry or just doesnt feel like changing the blade.

chips are not acceptable on any high polished marble floor.

Marble : jerusalem stone spaulding

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 06:37:50 UT

Author: marblemann
Subject: jerusalem stone spaulding
Posted: 06 Jun 2009 at 6:37am

Ive been refinishing stone for 16 yrs. and have not seen so many jerusalem stone floors spalding and basically destroying the surface. I live in florida which is of course under sea level, which means a lot of moisture for a sub flooring. why and what would your best solution be for this problem for majority of them being a high polish.

I've been seeing a lot of these floors that have been installed at least five years ago starting from 2004, and have seen them start spalding after 8 months from installation. The only reason ive come up with is either a stone mineral defect because of the moisture or a factory fault.

And also I know there are a lot of stones coming from the factory from a saw cut finish going straight to epoxy fill and the polishing, by them cutting out steps there are a lot of people that have crema, travertine and other soft stones that are peeling from the edge. Have you heard of these problems and do you think they are related.

Marble : Polishing Black Marble

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:55:00 UT

Author: marblemann
Subject: Polishing Black Marble
Posted: 06 Jun 2009 at 5:55am

go to your local hardware store and buy some carnuba wax or premier wax then buy a small amount of #1 steel wool, apply the wax just on the edge and not the surface let sit for about 20 min. then rub off wax with steelwool flipping sides for a clean surface. you might want to do the entire edge .

Granite : black galaxy granite headstone

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:46:00 UT

Author: mysicalstorm
Subject: black galaxy granite headstone
Posted: 03 Jun 2009 at 10:46am

Hello,

i found this site, findstone.com, and have read through some of the Q&A's. But i did not see anything specific to the care of granite, when it is used, not as a counter top, but as a headstone.
i tragically lost my 18 1/2 year old son on October 5th, 2008, due to the hazing rituals associated with fraternities, and after careful consideration, i decided on the 'black galaxy' granite, had it formed into a 3-part bench, and it came from India.
the stone was installed in Tucson Arizona, and this is a very dry climate. however the cemetery where my son is buried, waters the grass, at the least, in his section, every other day with well water, which leaves horrid water spots on the stone.
as of now, my sister and i re-wet the stone, then polish till our arms are ready to fall off, only to still have spots. i was told by some to 'not put any compound on the stone as it is living' and by others 'that it was ok to seal the stone' i am beyond confused about the care of the stone. i intend to take care of it for a long time to come, and want it to retain its beauty throughout time.
i would really appreciate any help that you would be willing to share.

please reply one way or the other i really need the help

Thank you all so much
Stacy

Granite : Apparent Heat Crack in Granite Countertop

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:18:04 UT

Author: granitereno
Subject: Apparent Heat Crack in Granite Countertop
Posted: 02 Jun 2009 at 5:18am

We just had granite countertops installed for the first time ever. We love the look, but about a month after moving back in, we noticed a 6-inch crack in the granite in about the middle of the slab running to the edge. We called the installer and supplier who looked at it and they claimed they were stumped by this crack. The installer insisted that we must have been standing on the countertop, which of course we were not. He sealed it and said that it should not grow in size.

The mystery was solved when I was cooking pancakes with an electric griddle on the countertop a week or two later. The electric fry pan sits about 2 inches off the counter and was heated to 350 F. I felt and heard a crack as I was cooking and sure enough, there it was - a new 4-inch crack to the edge. This solved the mystery of the other crack, which was located where I had used my electric wok at a similar temperature. I was led to believe that heat was the least of my worries with granite, as it can quite often withstand heat from pots set directly on it, or even a blowtorch (things I would never do). But these were electric appliances at 350 F. Is this a common occurence? I spoke with the installer/supplier and told him of the discovery and he seemed pleased that we solved the mystery, but insists that there is no defect in the granite. IS this a defect? He has no intention of replacing the granite (He'd have to replace the entire countertop for color matching), but would we have a case for legal action? If this is a common problem, I guess it's our fault, or if this always happens, fine. But I am looking for peace of mind that says either there's nothing I can do, or that I should insist on replacement. I would never have chosen granite if I knew it was so fragile - everything I read said it had an amazing ability to withstand heat. Can anyone offer some advice? Answers? The truth may hurt, but it would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!

Granite : Issues with China Granite

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:26:07 UT

Author: carpet tampa
Subject: Issues with China Granite
Posted: 01 Jun 2009 at 2:26pm

Agree guys once work get damaged it been very difficult to rework and always quality problem with china

Edited by findstone - 05 Jun 2009 at 11:49am

Granite : best granite for bathrooms

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:55:38 UT

Author: mike123
Subject: best granite for bathrooms
Posted: 01 Jun 2009 at 8:55am

hi i am not good at building materials knowledge can you advise me which one will be the best for bathrooms.. Should use granite in their or not.

Edited by findstone - 05 Jun 2009 at 11:48am

Granite : Prefab Countertops

Sun, 31 May 2009 23:08:23 UT

Author: krholmberg
Subject: Prefab Countertops
Posted: 31 May 2009 at 11:08pm

My wife and I recently purchased a house and plan on resurfacing the bathroom counter tops. We prefer to go with prefab granite as it is easier to get and less expensive. In particular, we really like the color pallet of China Gold for the master bath. We also like Black Galaxy for the other bathrooms and laundry room. We are also considering Blue Pearl and Paradiso. I've read good things on this forum about Blue Pearl. I've yet to see much on the other stones. I am mostly concerned with China Gold. It's very low cost has me concerned about the quality and the lack of solid info on the web makes me even more concerned. Do we have reason to be worried about China Gold, Black Galaxy and/or Paradiso? Thank you in advance for your input.

Granite : Seal Brown Pearl? Volcano?

Fri, 29 May 2009 18:30:52 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Seal Brown Pearl? Volcano?
Posted: 29 May 2009 at 6:30pm

Originally posted by BrownPearl

We recently installed Brown Pearl granite and Volcano granite countertops. Do these need to be sealed?

Hi there BrownPeal

As far as I have always been aware; all granite's need to be sealed.

If the granite is not sealed then the stone could be easily stained by products such as; coke, oil and acidic juices.

To add; I have heard that quartz stone does not require sealing, but we always do regardless.

I hope this helps?

Alan

Granite : hardwater stains

Fri, 29 May 2009 17:54:45 UT

Author: jerf
Subject: hardwater stains
Posted: 29 May 2009 at 5:54pm

Where in the UK are you? My dad was from Newmarket, where all the racehorses train.

Granite : hardwater stains

Fri, 29 May 2009 17:52:40 UT

Author: jerf
Subject: hardwater stains
Posted: 29 May 2009 at 5:52pm

CLR is avail. in Home Depot & some groceries etc. It stands for Calcium, Lime, Rust. It is a mild acid, & contains lactic & gluconic acid. I have not heard of LTP. Can you tell me where it is avail.? Is it also a mild acid? Is this type of product safe to use on granite? I know that it is probably too strong for marble.

Slate : chipped slate table

Thu, 28 May 2009 21:41:53 UT

Author: Rosemary
Subject: chipped slate table
Posted: 28 May 2009 at 9:41pm

I have a black slate table which was chipped in the corner (dropped during move). The chip really stands out not only because there is an obvious chuck missing but also because of the color difference between the chipped surface and the non chipped surface. Is there anything I can do relatively cheaply to fix this chip? it is an expensive table and it is driving me crazy. and if there is nothing I can do, what would be the price tag to have a professional come in to fix it? thank you!

Granite : Seal Brown Pearl? Volcano?

Thu, 28 May 2009 21:08:31 UT

Author: BrownPearl
Subject: Seal Brown Pearl? Volcano?
Posted: 28 May 2009 at 9:08pm

We recently installed Brown Pearl granite and Volcano granite countertops. Do these need to be sealed?

Water Stains : Black Composite Granite Sink

Thu, 28 May 2009 21:04:26 UT

Author: BrownPearl
Subject: Black Composite Granite Sink
Posted: 28 May 2009 at 9:04pm

We just had a black composite granite sink installed. It had white haze/white streaks on it (prior to installation). Is this normal? I was told it came from being around the other granite products. It looks like hard water stains to me. Any recommendations on cleaning it? Should it be sealed like granite countertops?

Granite : Granite Pool Wall - Calcium?

Thu, 28 May 2009 06:10:24 UT

Author: Darbs
Subject: Granite Pool Wall - Calcium?
Posted: 28 May 2009 at 6:10am

Hi - We have a pool that was dug into the side of the hill in our back yard. As a result, we have about 3 feet of raised wall above the pool on one side which we covered in beautiful granite. A few years later the granite is not so beautiful � it has white streaks and in some areas a significant buildup of white �chunks�. We assume this is calcium build-up. Any suggestions for how to clean? We have estimates from a tile cleaning company for $700 to shoot glass beads at it ... looking for something a little more economical. Help � we have a party at our house in 4 weeks and our granite wall is embarrassing.

Travertine : Travertine set in concrete for pool deck

Wed, 27 May 2009 22:38:14 UT

Author: Mitchell
Subject: Travertine set in concrete for pool deck
Posted: 27 May 2009 at 10:38pm

I would appreciate some advice on the best way to set travertine in a concrete pool deck. The current advice is to poor the concrete slab with forms for the travertine and then wet set the travertine into the formed areas. The travertine would be sealed after it is set.
I have read about issues with the porous nature of travertine and I am not sure if this is the best way.
Should drains be placed under the travertine leading to the gravel under the concrete slab?
Thanks.

Granite : hardwater stains

Wed, 27 May 2009 19:25:08 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: hardwater stains
Posted: 27 May 2009 at 7:25pm

Originally posted by jerf

We have Osage granite in our restroom vanities. They have been down for 20 years. We have some white, hardwater stains that we would like to remove. Is it safe to use a product like CLR? Please advise. Also, I have heard of using a razor. Will that leave scratch marks, & if so what is best to buff them out?

Hi Jerf,

Using a razor blade is tricky - if you are to use this method then it my be a good idea to practice first on a spare piece of granite so you can get the technique perfected.

We have used that method at our shop, but as I said; you have to be incredibly careful not to damage the surface of the stone.

LTP Multiclean (Kitchen & Bathroom Surface Cleaner) is a good product to use as it is meant to be used for grease and limescale.

You mentioned CLR - what does this stand for - I am not familiar with it.

Speak soon,

Alan

General questions on all kinds of stones : Terrazzo

Wed, 27 May 2009 08:17:57 UT

Author: Carolinda
Subject: Terrazzo
Posted: 27 May 2009 at 8:17am

I have terrazzo floors in my "new" mid-century Florida house I am in process of buying. Because I prefer a softer look between matte and semi-gloos, I plan to wax the floors after a thorough cleaning with a neutral cleaner. My question is this--what brand or type of wax has a neutral pH and will be appropriate to use? Carnumba, for instance, is slightly acidic. Thanks for your reply, and wish me luck with my new floor, which I have only peeked at underneath the current owner's wall to wall. Who knows what lurks beneath! I must say, it certainly is difficult to find out about rejuvenating terrazzo here on the Net--good for you to host this forum. Any information you can provide will be cheerfully and gratefully appreciaated. Thanks a million!

Carolinda Brooks
Winter Park Florida

Limestone : Limestone Foundation/Basement

Tue, 26 May 2009 10:37:24 UT

Author: Barkri12
Subject: Limestone Foundation/Basement
Posted: 26 May 2009 at 10:37am

White Oil Base Masonry Waterproofing Paint may be applied with a brush or roller. I found a brush to be easier on rough walls since I could more easily work the paint into difficult areas. In my experience, I prefer not to clean up oil-based paint and use disposable paint trays and "universal" brushes that are cheap enough to throw away, rather than spend the time and money on cleaning

Edited by findstone - 29 May 2009 at 12:05pm

Limestone : Fountains - To seal or not to seal in hostile apps

Tue, 26 May 2009 03:36:15 UT

Author: nrguser
Subject: Fountains - To seal or not to seal in hostile apps
Posted: 26 May 2009 at 3:36am

Hi Guru,

I recently purchased a large imported French Limestone fountain and wanted to see if you had any luck on your questions and to reach out to someone with actual experience with these!

When the fountain was shipped and assembled (by people inexperienced with these materials) we got some dings that show the powdered limestone beneath - any tips for repair and/or matching whatever stain was used to "antique" them?

Also we are going crazy trying to get the thing to hold water. Too late to seal each block (before assembly). What can we do or use? Also, should we seal the entire thing?

Any help you could provide would be GREATLY appreciated.

Marble Stains / Spots : lots of mini scratches and dull color

Sat, 23 May 2009 17:46:32 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: lots of mini scratches and dull color
Posted: 23 May 2009 at 5:46pm

Originally posted by Stillgreen

If you see scratches on the surface call the contractor to come in and make it right.
Is the back splash made of the same stone as the counter tops? If it is then it is possible that the change in direction of the light hitting the stone could make it appear less glossy. Do you have a sample of the stone(s) you picked for the job? If so check those samples against what you have.

Hey dude

If the type of granite has a pre-resin surface, this could cause the stone to appear more glossy and therefore there may be crazing on the surface, which would be much more visible...

Stillgreen is right about the loss of shine caused by the splashbacks - to test, I just placed a piece of santa cecillia on a flat surface which appeared quite shinny, but when I placed another piece of the same stone type next to the flat piece of stone, in a way that a spashback or upstand would be situated, it made the stone lose its shine.

A method to overcome this problem would be to have as much direct light hitting the stone; and from differing angles.

I wish you luck and it would be nice to know the outcome!

Ciao ciao for now

Alan

Water Stains : Air Conditioning Condensation on Floor Marble

Fri, 22 May 2009 20:28:43 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Air Conditioning Condensation on Floor Marble
Posted: 22 May 2009 at 8:28pm

Originally posted by Dante

Our company is in a business of marble and granite here in Brunei. Since this is a tropical country air condition is considered a must. We are experiencing some sort of water condensation marks on the floor marble every time the aircon is turned off. Other dark color marble has no problem it is not very visible but the likes of Avorio and cream marfil it is very obvious especially when light is turn On and it is reflecting on the marble. Is there any chemical available to solve this problem, we already tried to seal the marble before installation with stone sealer and some times with oil and water repellant. The concrete slab was also applied with water proof but still to no avail. Thanks.

Hi Dante

Just saw your post and it sort of relates to a problem that one of my customers was having, although the water they were getting was caused by a leak in the roof and not because of the aircon - being in Britain we don't often need an aircon unit and more so, an umbrella!

I understand that you have previously sealed the stone - what sealer did you use - we use a product called Stain Stop.

Stain Stop is a laquer / sealer, which causes water to run off the stone rather than collecting and generally you would reuse this approximately every 6 to 8 months.

If the stone is on a completely flat surface and such that the water does have a chance to run off and therefore collects on the stone, you may need to keep wiping the water off and then re-sealing the stone maybe every 4 to 6 weeks.

My advice would be to also see if there is a problem with your aircon unit as in my experience, this should not happen - but heck - I aint an expert with aircon units

What was the brand of sealer you are using?

Ciao ciao and speak soon dude!

Water Stains : only 4 days old &stained? Jerusalem Gold

Fri, 22 May 2009 11:46:05 UT

Author: Bathroom Sinks
Subject: only 4 days old &stained? Jerusalem Gold
Posted: 22 May 2009 at 11:46am

I can relate well to you. It was also my problem now. i bought Jerusalem Gold counter top only last week and experience the same thing. I hope there would be someone out there who can ease the pain and answer our dear problem. Anyone

Edited by findstone - 29 May 2009 at 11:58am

Travertine : Mosaic Tavertine Backsplash

Fri, 22 May 2009 08:00:59 UT

Author: KimHaw
Subject: Mosaic Tavertine Backsplash
Posted: 22 May 2009 at 8:00am

HELP.. I am about to install tumbled marble tavertine 1 x 1 inch mosaic backsplash in the kitchen and a counter top on some old built in cabinets in the living room ..(light use area)...I have some questions and would greatly appreciate any advice...
can I put the tile directly over the painted wall? what is the best stuff to use?? How true to the color it looks is grout?? when dry is it lighter?? darker??
do I have to have a substrate (cement board?) for the countertop? Looks like most advise is to go ahead and let the grout fill the nooks and crannies... and that I should use unsanded grout.. does anyone know where I can see a picture of sealed vs enhanced tavertine? so I seal the tavertine (or enhance it) then grout.. then seal it all again, right?? I have a tile nipper... if I had to split the 1 inch tiles .. is that what I use?? I was going to do a broken china mosaic.. but fell in love with the scabos tavertine you can see the same stuff on ebay, one big concern is that I do not want to loose any of the color.. how do I protect it?? what would enhancing do to it?? Thank you to anyone who can offer advise!!

Edited by findstone - 29 May 2009 at 12:06pm

General questions on all kinds of stones : marble (golden Sunny) Egypt

Thu, 21 May 2009 16:14:51 UT

Author: carpet tampa
Subject: marble (golden Sunny) Egypt
Posted: 21 May 2009 at 4:14pm

loves the Marble and specially marble from Egypt.

Sandstone : Sandstone stain removal question

Thu, 21 May 2009 15:59:01 UT

Author: carpet tampa
Subject: Sandstone stain removal question
Posted: 21 May 2009 at 3:59pm

i think no one having answer so we have to find our answer are own.

Marble : repolishing grey and black marble

Thu, 21 May 2009 10:24:45 UT

Author: Barkri12
Subject: repolishing grey and black marble
Posted: 21 May 2009 at 10:24am

Vinyl Tiles:-

Vinyl tile is a composite structure made of several layers;

(a) Protective wear layer,

(b) Protective clear film layer,

(c) Printed design layer,

(d) Vinyl tile backing.

Vinyltiles provide a wide selection of colors and deign to choose from; areeasily installed and are a very economical choice of floor tile. Vinyltile will last for years and can be very durable depending on thequality of the tile (the thicker the tile the more durable they willbe).

Limestone : mold & mildew on travetin shower walls

Thu, 21 May 2009 10:22:55 UT

Author: Barkri12
Subject: mold & mildew on travetin shower walls
Posted: 21 May 2009 at 10:22am

Besides focusing on mold and mildew removal one should also try to prevent mold from growing in the first place. Mold is a fungus and some types of mold produce mildew. These types of mold will grow on any available surface that fits its growth requirements of food, moisture, etc.

Edited by findstone - 29 May 2009 at 12:04pm

Marble Stains / Spots : marble spots from toothpaste?

Mon, 18 May 2009 02:18:46 UT

Author: deedee
Subject: marble spots from toothpaste?
Posted: 18 May 2009 at 2:18am

Is there something in toothpaste (e.g., silica or pepermint oils, etc) that would etch a marble vanity surface if not wiped up promptly? Our granddaughters use our sinks to clean their teeth when they are here and we have noticed distinct spots around the sink bowls where the glossy finish is now dull.

General questions on all kinds of stones : LImestone pits

Sun, 17 May 2009 18:07:20 UT

Author: Distressed
Subject: LImestone pits
Posted: 17 May 2009 at 6:07pm

Any advice for new owners of Jerusalem Gold limestone countertop ?

We just got a new JG kitchen countertop - it is beautiful. We are newbies in this stone countertop field and are looking for good advice.

1) The surface has few small pits on it. Should we ask the contractor to fill them or just live with them. Is this normal with JG ? The contractor is not returning our calls, which is a bad sign.

2) One piece has a silky surface texture while the other feels rougher. Is this normal ?

3) Any recommendations for a good sealer? How ofthen should we seal the countertop ?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

Distressed

Water Stains : only 4 days old &stained? Jerusalem Gold

Sat, 16 May 2009 17:50:52 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: only 4 days old &stained? Jerusalem Gold
Posted: 16 May 2009 at 5:50pm

Originally posted by Lyvi

So glad I found this forum-and what great advice so far. My dilemma-
Have a beautiful Jerusalem Gold countertop installed and only used it for 4 days. Everything done was on top of butcher blockes and other surfcaes. No spills, havn't even used any oil? no cleaners at all-yet I have strange dark marks with no appearant shape and lines in many areas. I don't know what to do? I called the fabricator and they said they sealed it with colour enhancing sealant? I am asking them to come out-what should I say to them?

+I am having my floor installed this Saturday- same material-but it has not been sealed at all. Tumbled tiles-please someone let me know how to protect this material and keep it safe?
Thank you for your time.

Hi there Lyvi

First off, it would be nice to know if you have used any polish on the work surface - if this is the case, the marks could have occurred due to this - more information could help!

Jerusalem Gold stone is a beautiful colour, but generally it is not recommended for a worktop as it is too soft and much too pourus.

Tiles from this stone should be sealed after installation with possibly two applications and should act as a reasonable protection.

If unless you require a colour enhancer, don't use one - but do use a neutral, non-colour chemical sealer.

I hope this helps?

Lastly - the supplier should have advised you not to use this stone for a worktop - I would have!

Ciao ciao for now

Granite : stains

Sat, 16 May 2009 04:12:35 UT

Author: Jennifer13
Subject: stains
Posted: 16 May 2009 at 4:12am

My new "granite" counter top has water rings from where a glass wassitting on it. When my husband purchased them, nobody told him heneeded to seal them. They are sending someone to buff out the staintomorrow.....will this work? Then, it gets worse because as I wasclearing the counter for the buffing tomorrow, I dropped a heavy pieceof crystal and chipped the same section of counter. Can they buff thatas well or is all of this just going to be a mess?? The color is "Bluein the night", which is black with blue flecks in it. I have also posted this under "water stains" category

Water Stains : water stains

Sat, 16 May 2009 04:03:05 UT

Author: Jennifer13
Subject: water stains
Posted: 16 May 2009 at 4:03am

My new "granite" counter top has water rings from where a glass was sitting on it. When my husband purchased them, nobody told him he needed to seal them. They are sending someone to buff out the stain tomorrow.....will this work? Then, it gets worse because as I was clearing the counter for the buffing tomorrow, I dropped a heavy piece of crystal and chipped the same section of counter. Can they buff that as well or is all of this just going to be a mess?? The color is "Blue in the night", which is black with blue flecks in it.

Limestone : Limestone moisture marks

Thu, 14 May 2009 23:15:18 UT

Author: diy2000
Subject: Limestone moisture marks
Posted: 14 May 2009 at 11:15pm

I have finished setting some 18X18 limestone tiles
using the Granite and Stone thin set sold by Home Depot. The thin set is the
"white", "premium" grade stuff. Much to my surprise, the pattern of the thin
set mortar is visible through the thickness of the tiles. I initially assumed
it was water wicking through the porous limestone and I figured it would
eventually evaporate and that would be the end of it. It has now been 2 weeks
and the patterns are still quite obvious. Have I not waited long enough? I know
the limestone tiles take quite a while to dry out when exposed to water, but
this seems like it should have cleared up by now. If it doesn't clear up, do
you think an enhancer might cover up the effect? At this point, I have not put
anything on the surface. Any thoughts or advice would be highly appreciated.

Edited by findstone - 29 May 2009 at 12:04pm

Granite : granite crack

Mon, 11 May 2009 18:33:45 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: granite crack
Posted: 11 May 2009 at 6:33pm

Originally posted by myron

I just had ubatuba granite installed in my kitchen. My question is: on an island piece 4� X 7� there is a green discolored area 2� X 4� and within this area there is a crack that you can feel with your finger nail, is this to be expected and will there be any additional cracking in this area?

Thank you! Myron

Hi there Myron,

Incidently, I just had a look at our Ubatuba in the workshop as I wanted to confirm what my first thoughts were - this being that Ubatuba commonly has fissures within.

Now, when I ran my finger over the fissures, I noticed that it was possible to feel the fissure, as if it were a small crack.

Normally when the stone is quarried and cut into slabs, the stone is sealed with a resin and then polished - this process tends to remove most of these cracks / fissures, but sometimes there are a few left that have the characteristic you mentioned.

In my opinion, thes cracks should not get any worse and commonly many of the suppliers of granite try to remove these from the stone prior to purchase, but there are occasions where this is not possible.

If you have a picture of the crack, I could have a look at what you are talking about and see if it looks like a fissure.

Of course, there are occasions when the stone has got cracks and in these cases, the stone should not be sold to the public without prior warning, but I suppose there could be some suppliers that still sell this without consumer awareness.

I hope this helps and if you do have an image, it would be nice to see!

As far as the discolouring is concerned, this I would have to see also.

Ciao ciao

Marble : discoloration to marble from fireplace heat

Sun, 10 May 2009 07:48:29 UT

Author: staplin
Subject: discoloration to marble from fireplace heat
Posted: 10 May 2009 at 7:48am

I have a black marble fireplace surround on a ventless fireplace which gets very hot. The surroung at the top of the opening has become discolored and looks grey. Is there anything I can do about this?
Thanks,
Susan

Granite : Paradise Blue Granite & Azul Macauba Marble

Thu, 07 May 2009 20:05:51 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Paradise Blue Granite & Azul Macauba Marble
Posted: 07 May 2009 at 8:05pm

Originally posted by Carolyn76

My Expo designer has ordered Paradise Blue granite for my new bathroom vanity and for the bench seat and threshold in the shower (not yet installed), and Azul Macauba marble from Sicis NA for a 6" accent on the shower walls and on the front of the shower bench (already installed).

I have since read articles that state that Blue Paradise granite should not be installed in or around a high moisture area. It is also recommended that this granite be sealed with an impregnating sealer (I'm not certain if this means that it can then be installed in a high moisture area.) I have read the same thing about the Azul Macauba.

I'm so worried that this so expensive granite and marble should not be in my new bathroom at all. Am I being mislead about this? Thanks so much for your help.

Hi Carolyn

Naturally, no stone sealer will ever seal the stone so it cannot be stained completely, but a good sealer like Stain Stop will be fine.

As far as I have heard, Blue Paradise is a durable stone, so you should be ok!

Ciao ciao

Granite : granite

Thu, 07 May 2009 12:45:54 UT

Author: jack2009
Subject: granite
Posted: 07 May 2009 at 12:45pm

Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite has a medium to coarse texture, occasionally with some individual crystals larger than the groundmass forming a rock known as porphyry. Granites can be pink to dark gray or even black, depending on their chemistry and mineralogy. Outcrops of granite tend to form tors, and rounded massifs. Granites sometimes occur in circular depressions surrounded by a range of hills, formed by the metamorphic aureole or hornfels.

Granite is nearly always massive (lacking internal structures), hard and tough, and therefore it has gained widespread use as a construction stone. The average density of granite is 2.75 g/cm3 and its viscosity at standard temperature and pressure is ~4.5

Edited by findstone - 14 May 2009 at 12:13pm

Marble : Many chipped edges on new marble foyer floor tiles

Thu, 07 May 2009 07:29:37 UT

Author: jsnorman
Subject: Many chipped edges on new marble foyer floor tiles
Posted: 07 May 2009 at 7:29am

    We just had a fairly expensive ($7,000+) marble foyer installed. The centerpiece tiles are 6x6 crema marfil surrounded by 3" black strips (nero marble I think). There is no grout as the tiles are closely spaced.

   Almost all of the tiles have small chipping along the edges that makes the edges look "rough" but this is not the worst thing. The big problem is that about 50% of the tiles (both the crema marfil and black) have chips that extend into the face of the marble. These chips range from 1/8" to 1/4" and several tiles have multiple chips.

   The tile provider has told us that these chips are normal and part of the "natural beauty" of a hand cut marble tile floor. It honestly doesn't look that way to me, but I would really like to be fair so I am seeking other professional opinions on how acceptable this is.

   We have tried adding grout (black grout for black, color-matched grout for the crema marfil) but the grout is very visible and doesn't solve the look problem in my view.

    I know that I could hone the marble (its highly polished now) and that would probably make it much less visible, but would also detract from the otherwise stunning effect of the floor.

    So, what is an acceptable level of chipping? At what point should I insist on a redo?

Granite : hardwater stains

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:26:58 UT

Author: jerf
Subject: hardwater stains
Posted: 07 May 2009 at 12:26am

We have Osage granite in our restroom vanities. They have been down for 20 years. We have some white, hardwater stains that we would like to remove. Is it safe to use a product like CLR? Please advise. Also, I have heard of using a razor. Will that leave scratch marks, & if so what is best to buff them out?

Granite : Is "Labradorite River Blue" real granite?

Wed, 06 May 2009 23:16:17 UT

Author: gleeba
Subject: Is "Labradorite River Blue" real granite?
Posted: 06 May 2009 at 11:16pm

Hi !

Glad to hear your kitchen is done! I know what a nightmare that is. It's so nice to talk to someone who knows about these stones and can appreciate how unique they are. We first fell in love with the Verde when a fabricator showed a scrap of it to us. Then we went searching and saw the Big Flower, but it was way,way out of our price range. Most people don't seem to know about the Labradorite - even the people at the granite yards, only 2 yards we went to had the Big Flower and where we live they have a whole street they call Tile Row where there are nothing but tile, flooring and granite shops for miles. We found a scrap sample of the Verde at one of the yards that had the Big Flower, but it was still way too expensive! The guy we bought it from didn't know about it and once we showed him the sample and a picture from the internet - he found the stone for us at a very good price and he was so amazed by it that he bought more of it and did a very large (probably like your kitchen) job with it. We had 2 slabs and were able to do our kitchen with a full backsplash as well as a small bathroom vanity. If you get a lot of sunlight in your kitchen you will see amazing things as the position of the sun changes during the year - new stuff is always "popping" out!

Edited by findstone - 14 May 2009 at 12:10pm

Water Stains : Butterfly Verde - Crusty Water Stains around Fauce

Wed, 06 May 2009 04:04:43 UT

Author: DCan
Subject: Butterfly Verde - Crusty Water Stains around Fauce
Posted: 06 May 2009 at 4:04am

In addition to, or instead of the razor blades, you can use steel wool. Test first in a concealed area.

Water Stains : Black Galaxy Countertop

Wed, 06 May 2009 03:54:57 UT

Author: DCan
Subject: Black Galaxy Countertop
Posted: 06 May 2009 at 3:54am

The majority of granite colors are hard enough to withstand a vigorous dry scrubbing with medium to fine steel wool. This will likely remove your chalk markings. Always test anything you intend to do in an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn't cause damage.

Edited by findstone - 14 May 2009 at 12:05pm

Water marks : ACID RAIN STAIN ON GRANITE HEADSTONE

Wed, 06 May 2009 03:42:56 UT

Author: DCan
Subject: ACID RAIN STAIN ON GRANITE HEADSTONE
Posted: 06 May 2009 at 3:42am

If it is truly from acid rain, then I suspect it would be more accurately called "etched" This means the shine has been eaten away with acid. You can try some fine steel wool & elbow grease to see if it comes "off", but if it really is etched, it will require professional re-polishing.

Limestone : Fountains - To seal or not to seal in hostile apps

Wed, 06 May 2009 00:47:02 UT

Author: FountainGuru
Subject: Fountains - To seal or not to seal in hostile apps
Posted: 06 May 2009 at 12:47am

Where have all the experts disappeared to? Anyone going to touch this question? Come on, don't be scared!

Granite : Marks appearing INSIDE granite

Tue, 05 May 2009 20:01:39 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Marks appearing INSIDE granite
Posted: 05 May 2009 at 8:01pm

Originally posted by june78

Hi, we had Marron Cohiba countertops installed in our kitchen a couple of weeks ago. I might be being paranoid (as I keep 'inspecting' it!) but I think I am noticing marks appearing INSIDE the granite. The granite is a mixture of blacks and browns and bronzes (best way I can describe it) with a few small fissures running through it, it is also known as Antique Brown I think. Well anyway, there are a few areas where there are white-ish marks appearing inside the granite (not stains on the surface). A couple of them even look like they might have a greenish tinge to them (like when mold forms). I can not explain it any other way but I don't think it was like this when it was first installed. The marks are about small fingernail sized or smaller (not uniform shape) and look like the stone is changing / has changed inside. Hope this is making sense? Anyway, anyone got any advice or experienced this before? Don't know what it could be. The installer sealed the granite so don't think it could be something from the top surface penetrating down. Could the stone change once installed? Any advice welcome, even it is from another owner of Marron Cohiba who explains this is normal with this stone and I just didn't notice it before! thanks!!

Hi June,

Interesting problem you have...

It would be helpful if you have a picture showing the problem with the stone, although with this said, I have come across a problem in the past with granite where there was some sort of chemical reaction that occured with the stone sealant and some cleaning products, where white marks where forming on the stone.

If you have a picture that I can have a look at, this would help me to make a better judgement..

Ciao ciao

Granite : Caledonia granite

Tue, 05 May 2009 19:55:13 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Caledonia granite
Posted: 05 May 2009 at 7:55pm

I would give you my opinion, but the image is not showing up???

Granite : Toxicity of Rainforest Green/Brown

Mon, 04 May 2009 09:44:30 UT

Author: Bushka
Subject: Toxicity of Rainforest Green/Brown
Posted: 04 May 2009 at 9:44am

Hi. I've been reading the archives of this forum and have learned a lot. Odd question though: I was googling "rainforest" and saw one fabricator (or maybe it was a designer) who mentioned that rainforest has toxic minerals such as cobalt in it. They are in very small quantities, but they decided not to use it for this reason in a kitchen. Is there anything to this?

Other than that, the impression I get is that the rainforest (serpentinite) won't scratch (?) and isn't as easy to stain as marble. We would really like to use it in a kitchen, but would rather find out now if there is something I am getting wrong about this stone.

Thanks for any comments!

Slate : How can I remove the polyurethane from my slate?

Sun, 03 May 2009 21:52:45 UT

Author: pankaj
Subject: How can I remove the polyurethane from my slate?
Posted: 03 May 2009 at 9:52pm

Hello folks,
I am not a construction worker but I have used polyurethane to coat my wood cabinets that have maintained their shine and smoothness ever since I bought the house 11 years ago.
When I tried to use the polyurethane right out of the can for the first time, it was quite thick and I realized that such heavy viscosity will leave too many streak marks on the fine wood surface. So I used paint thinner (which I believe is acetone in its chemical form) to dilute the polyurethane and it worked very well. The reuslting mixture was a lot more workable and dried faster too since acetone has a very low vapor point. Since I used it as a solvant for the polyurethane, I am assuming it can be done in its native form to dissolve and remove the polyurethane also. I have not tried this, but I would suggest in a small cup take paint thinner and use a small brush to apply it in a small area where you want the poly-u removed. Before it begins to dry, use a small rag (piece of cloth that you do not wish to reuse) and wipe it off. Sometimes multiple such processes may be required to first dissolve the poly-u and then remove it.
Please note that there are NOT guarantees of ANY type, EXPRESS or IMPLIED being offered by this reply. It is only a suggestion and you would try it AT YOUR OWN RISK.

THanks.

Granite : Is "Labradorite River Blue" real granite?

Sun, 03 May 2009 10:36:57 UT

Author: bergzy
Subject: Is "Labradorite River Blue" real granite?
Posted: 03 May 2009 at 10:36am

hi amy!

thanks for the welcome!

the labradorite, along with the kitchen, is finally fully installed and finished.

you are so correct in saying that nothing compares to it. it is never the same stone twice. i have looking and looking constantly at it only to find new things about it. new blue crystals, new patterns...the list is endless.

mother nature truly is a tough act to follow.

i would definitely love to see pics of your stone. here is my email so you can send me pics of it. i will also do so of mine!

cheers!

Granite : Issues with China Granite

Sat, 02 May 2009 14:21:11 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Issues with China Granite
Posted: 02 May 2009 at 2:21pm

Originally posted by headstone

I had no idea that there was an issue with Granite from China. Thanks for letting me know.

Actually, I must say here that it is not really an issue. China granite, if you are talking about the good stuff, is extremely sort after!

Poor quality stone can be found everywhere - poor quality stone is really the issue!

Ciao for now!

Edited by findstone - 05 May 2009 at 10:38am

Granite : Issues with China Granite

Sat, 02 May 2009 10:57:18 UT

Author: headstone
Subject: Issues with China Granite
Posted: 02 May 2009 at 10:57am

I had no idea that there was an issue with Granite from China. Thanks for letting me know.

Marble Stains / Spots : White marks in small cracks of marble floor

Fri, 01 May 2009 21:57:03 UT

Author: stoner12
Subject: White marks in small cracks of marble floor
Posted: 01 May 2009 at 9:57pm

Glad I found this great forum.

I could use some help in diagnosing the cause of the white markings on this marble floor. Apparently a Mexican version of a Pine-Sol type product (possibly Pinalen) was used to clean the floor. This product I think has a high pH (alkaline, not acid). Now I can see what appears to be a bleaching-type discoloration (whitening) affect around the small cracks in the marble that run perpendicular and diagonal to the natural veins in the stone.

Could the Pinalen be the cause, and is there a possible cure other than replacement (the owners hate these white markings)?

Travertine : Travertine marked by shower cleaning product

Fri, 01 May 2009 07:31:30 UT

Author: Sue Mifsud
Subject: Travertine marked by shower cleaning product
Posted: 01 May 2009 at 7:31am

We recently purchased a new house that has travertine tiles laid in the foyer and wet areas ie. bathrooms and laundry. I had some drops of a shower cleaner fall onto the floor in the bathroom and it seems to have etched the tiles where the cleaner dropped onto the floor. So that it now has marks on it in the shape of droplets. The cleaner bottle states that "shower Power" contains a mild natural plant acid combined with a rich surfactant system plus natural frangrance extract. No chlorine, ammonia or phosphates.

What type of chemical in the cleaner would have caused this? Is there a way to remove these marks?

What is the best way to clean travertine tiles.

Marble : Converting Polished Marble Countertops to Honed

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:07:30 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Converting Polished Marble Countertops to Honed
Posted: 30 Apr 2009 at 7:07pm

Originally posted by fletch

Hello.

We purchase our house a year and half ago. The prior owners had recently renovated the kitchen and installed polished marble countertops. When we bought the house, we were unaware of the marble's succeptability to stains and etching. We now have several spots that are driving me crazy.

I've read that stains and etching are not as visible on honed marble. Is it possible to convert my installed polished marble coutnertops to honed? Would this be a costly process.

Any advice is appreciated.

Hi Fletch

First off; most worktops that have had a Matt / Honed finish, have had this done in a factory.

If this were to be done over here by an engineer in your home, then the finish would not be exactly the same as a factory finish as it will need to be done by hand.

Another consideration, is the fact that the engineer will need full access to the stone - any tiles or walls that could block his way, would affect the outcome and final look!

And... Since this is a specialist service, you may find that it will cost quite a bit to be done.

Before you do this, check with your local stone fabricators to see if they have any quality cleaning products - there are some cleaners on the market, that may help remove the stains...

I hope this helps?

Ciao ciao

General questions on all kinds of stones : BASEMENT STONE WALLS

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:56:34 UT

Author: CHINIX
Subject: BASEMENT STONE WALLS
Posted: 28 Apr 2009 at 10:56pm

hello,

my husband and a friend are talking about doing something to our basement walls. they are stone (my husband says limestone) anyways, they are talking about cleaning them by either sandblasting or powerwashing them. I would like some advice as to which method would be the best way. they want to clean them because the stuff is coming off (kind of gritty stuff).

thanks,
Chinix

General questions on all kinds of stones : Looking for cream limestone by Cesarstone

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:48:15 UT

Author: lisa in Ohio
Subject: Looking for cream limestone by Cesarstone
Posted: 28 Apr 2009 at 6:48am

I love the Cesarstone quartz in cream limestone ( color) I just found out they discontinued it 3 months ago.

We need a 50 inch x 60 inch piece. Any idea where to find this as a remnant??
Thanks

Travertine : Sealing a wine cellar floor...Scabos

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:54:30 UT

Author: ajs575
Subject: Sealing a wine cellar floor...Scabos
Posted: 27 Apr 2009 at 11:54pm

Hi Folks,

I've searched this site to see if anyone has previously asked this question...I can't find anything.

I'm just completing the installation of a wine cellar in my basement. We have used Scabos as the floor covering.

All of the information that I have read about sealing stone in wine cellars / painting wine cellar walls have said to use only water based sealants.

The contractor who is installing the stone has told me that it doesn't really matter if the sealant is water based or not.

Does any member have any experience with sealing stone in wine cellars, and if a water based sealant is the way to go, could you supply me with any brand names? (as I'm having difficulty finding any up here in Canada)

Thanks!

Jaff

Granite : Fissures in UbaTuba

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:54:53 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Fissures in UbaTuba
Posted: 27 Apr 2009 at 8:54pm

Originally posted by lmiller

I recently installed 2cm UbaTuba with a full round bullnose, without a subtop. Very stable cabinet base. Immediately I noticed a significant amount of fissures. (They may have been there prior to installation, but I never took notice.) The fabricator will be looking at it tomorrow. No fissures appear to go completely through the material. I worry that the fissures could get worse. The overall appearance is beautiful. Very even color and beauty, but it is full of fissures and many of them are as much as a foot long or better. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Hi There

Ubatuba is unfortunately one of those types of stone where it is common to find fissures within.

Also you said that you are using 20mm thinck stone - this in itself could mean that your worktop is not as durable say as 30mm.

As far as the fissures getting worse; they shouldn't do, but if your worktop was not installed correctly and then extra pressure is applied in some areas of the stone, this could have a detrimental effect and could result in further damage.

On a good not - I rather think that fissures in stone do carry some aesthetic value and can really improve the look of some types of stone!

Ciao for now!

Granite : Stain or Dye granite?

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:16:15 UT

Author: awdfindstone
Subject: Stain or Dye granite?
Posted: 27 Apr 2009 at 3:16am

I have a piece of granite in my bathroom thats white/gray/black. Is there anything I can do or use to stain it permanently darker? I'm ideally looking to put it in to the gray/black tones and get rid of the white.

I've looked all over and haven't found much, other then negative references to "doctored stone". Does anyone know of a possible solution besides buying a new slab to replace it?

Current color looks like this....

Granite : granite worktops

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:20:18 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: granite worktops
Posted: 24 Apr 2009 at 2:20pm

Hi Kevin,

This really is based on your location. I can't Imagine that a good company based in Cornwall would want to service a project in say Vancouver, although they may for the right price..

I have many friends in this industry who are quality granite worktop fitters like me but I need to know your exact location so I can advise correctly.

Edited by findstone - 29 Apr 2009 at 4:46pm

Granite : Hard Water stains

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:22:34 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Hard Water stains
Posted: 23 Apr 2009 at 7:22pm

Hi Kathi,

Without seeing a picture of the stone it is a little hard to make a completely positive answer, but here goes!

There is a company who distribute stone cleaning products - LTP...

You could use a standard house cleaning product, although one of the stronger cleaners from LTP could be required to draw the stains from the stone.

As far as restoring the stone to it's original shine / look, then you could use wax, but be careful - if you do a small area, you may need to consider this against the whole surface...

If you have a picture of the granite, this would help a great deal for analysis!

Ciao for now

Edited by findstone - 29 Apr 2009 at 4:48pm

Granite : Is "Labradorite River Blue" real granite?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:32:52 UT

Author: gleeba
Subject: Is "Labradorite River Blue" real granite?
Posted: 23 Apr 2009 at 4:32am

Hi Bergzy,

Welcome to the beautiful world of Labradorite!! I know just how excited you must be - once you see it, nothing else compares and you can't get it out of your head!! You become obsessed! Do you find yourself looking at it all the time - LOL!! You got the really really good stuff! Big flower is so gorgeous! When we saw it in slab form in the yard it was so amazing!! The big bright blue flowers are awesome! We got the Labradorite Verde which is a little different then yours ( if you have read my description, you know about it). There are so many amazing characteristics to this stone, you discover something new all the time. I love the contrast of the black to the cool green and also the translucent quality of the green when viewed in the proper light. We have a small breakfast area that had just enough space between the frame and the granite so that we were able to take a piece of rope light and insert it underneath the stone so that you can light it up and see through it. I would love to see pictures of your stone! I don't know how or if you can post on this forum, but I would gladly give you my email address. Congrats!
Amy

Granite : Marks appearing INSIDE granite

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:27:10 UT

Author: june78
Subject: Marks appearing INSIDE granite
Posted: 23 Apr 2009 at 2:27am

Hi, we had Marron Cohiba countertops installed in our kitchen a couple of weeks ago. I might be being paranoid (as I keep 'inspecting' it!) but I think I am noticing marks appearing INSIDE the granite. The granite is a mixture of blacks and browns and bronzes (best way I can describe it) with a few small fissures running through it, it is also known as Antique Brown I think. Well anyway, there are a few areas where there are white-ish marks appearing inside the granite (not stains on the surface). A couple of them even look like they might have a greenish tinge to them (like when mold forms). I can not explain it any other way but I don't think it was like this when it was first installed. The marks are about small fingernail sized or smaller (not uniform shape) and look like the stone is changing / has changed inside. Hope this is making sense? Anyway, anyone got any advice or experienced this before? Don't know what it could be. The installer sealed the granite so don't think it could be something from the top surface penetrating down. Could the stone change once installed? Any advice welcome, even it is from another owner of Marron Cohiba who explains this is normal with this stone and I just didn't notice it before! thanks!!

Granite : Cleaner

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:30:39 UT

Author: willyz1313
Subject: Cleaner
Posted: 22 Apr 2009 at 3:30am

Can someone advise if Swiffer is ok to use on our new Black Granite flooring?

Marble Stains / Spots : stains on marfil

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:35:09 UT

Author: zevxev
Subject: stains on marfil
Posted: 22 Apr 2009 at 2:35am

Hi, My husband has spilt tea on my new marfil fireplace any ideas on how to clean it.
zev

Slate : honed slate is gritty to the touch

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:58:44 UT

Author: lisaW
Subject: honed slate is gritty to the touch
Posted: 21 Apr 2009 at 2:58am

I've had a honed vermont green slate kitchen countertop for about 3 years. From the very beginning it has always felt as if there has been a layer of grit or sand on top, even after I have washed it. It isn't sealed. It seems to be completely non-porous and has very few scratches, but within seconds of my cleaning it (with a stone cleaner or just water and a microfiber cloth) it feels gritty again. When it was installed the fabricator did say they had a hard time honing it-however it does feel flat and even - just with a light coating of powder on it all the time. Does anyone have any idea what causes this and what I can do about it? Thanks!

Travertine : Travertine Filler for Shower Walls

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 06:09:04 UT

Author: Traver_Tina
Subject: Travertine Filler for Shower Walls
Posted: 19 Apr 2009 at 6:09am

Thanks for this GREAT forum!

We have purchased unfilled, very light-colored travertine for bathroom floors, to surround soaking tub, & for shower walls.

It is GORGEOUS & has beautiful, natural pocks, some quite large, which we love! However, only afterward did we find out that for this wet environment, the pocks should be filled due to mildew concerns. We put our tile installer on vacation until we find out the truth. He was laying it as is--UNFILLED & unsealed--then was going to only seal it.

Another *expert* examined the area only to say that the unfilled travertine in the shower would not pass inspection if we sell the house, since it would / will grow black mildew. I'm afraid to invite anyone else in for a third opinion! I don't believe that CERTIFIED TRAVERTINE EXPERTS exist, so who to believe? Obviously the expert right here!

1) Can we fill the pocks in the travertine that is already laid vertically & horizontally? (No grout or sealer has yet touched our BEAUTIFUL stone, thank goodness.)
2) If so, what filler should be used for this wet environment? I read that a latex would be best? (If that's completely wrong, sorry...)
3) After filling with the appropriate travertine filler that is best for wet environments, should we or should we NOT seal? I believe the answer is NOT??? (Just making sure...)
4) I want to keep the area perfect & use the proper products for bath floor & shower wall (sealed or unsealed) travertine. What, how & how often?

This is a wonderful learning experience...just glad we're asking BEFORE any damage is done!

Thanks SO MUCH in advance,
Traver_Tina
ps. my name really is Tina

Granite : Is "Labradorite River Blue" real granite?

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:37:24 UT

Author: bergzy
Subject: Is "Labradorite River Blue" real granite?
Posted: 18 Apr 2009 at 1:37pm

hello!

i just purchased and had my fabricator install the counter tops with big flower labradorite.

to say it is absolutely beautiful would barely do it justice. i initially fell in love with the large blue iridescent crystals but as i cleaned the dirt and grime off from fabrication and sitting in the granite yard...the greens in this stone has incredible depth and complexity. there is also a translucency to the green portion of the stone. i also see striations and flecks of other glittering crystals as well.

my wife and i looked at quite a bit of granite with little to no interest. big flower labradorite caught her eyes (as well as mine) immediately.

forget the price of this stone...it is worth it. have a great installer (with lots of referrals) work with you to position the templates to take advantage of the blue flowers as much as possible.

we were lucky that the stone yard was slow and got to cherry pick the slabs we wanted (three in all). each have an abundance of large blue flowers that are visible from any angle and position you stand in. it truly is a remarkable stone and a cool conversation piece when you start entertaining due to the beauty of this natural stone!

Limestone : painting over polished and unpolished limestone

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:24:07 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: painting over polished and unpolished limestone
Posted: 16 Apr 2009 at 1:24pm

Originally posted by Afonso

Hi, I have a project where I have to paint country flags over slabs of limestone that are polished in some areas and not in others.

What paint should I use??? should I give it a primary coating?, varnish finish? Please keep in mind that it will be outside so it has to be weather/(strong)sun resistant and people will walk over it.

PLEASE HELP ME!! I've been everywhere asking this question and nobody gives me a definitive answer, everyone is guessing! HELP PLEASE!!!

Hi there,

Without seeing the stone I can't make a definite answer, but here goes!

You will first need to heavily seal the Limestone so that the surface that you are painting onto is the sealed surface and not the Limestone, as the stone will absorb the paint.

Once the sealant has been applied and is set, you can paint.

I would advise putting an under coat and then your main paint - make sure that whatever paint you use, that it is suitable for out door use.

Take care, for now

Limestone : Vinegar on Limestone--arrrgh

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:46:50 UT

Author: HartGranite
Subject: Vinegar on Limestone--arrrgh
Posted: 15 Apr 2009 at 1:46pm

Originally posted by mgehri

My cat puked on my new limestone tile. The Home Depot guy told me to use vinegar to nuetralize the spot. Bad advice. I now am the proud owner of one dull (no shine whatsoever) spot on two of my tiles. I've use sealer (DuPont Adavanced Stone and tile Sealer) and Stone Enhancer and Sealer products--nada. How can I restore the shine on these vinegar-etched spots? Do I have to have the tiles replaced?
By the way...I never did get a very good shine on the limestone. Any suggestions?
Ready to send the cat to China...

Hmmm....

Send cat to China

On the flipside; this article I found a while back may help you.

An information guide to maintaining limestone fireplaces

Ciao ciao

Travertine : Vessel sink

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:00:54 UT

Author: kerry
Subject: Vessel sink
Posted: 15 Apr 2009 at 7:00am

Hello I plan on installing a travertine vessel sink in the bathroom and I heard that I will need to seal this sink is if so what product will I have to use

Limestone : Fountains - To seal or not to seal in hostile apps

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:04:20 UT

Author: FountainGuru
Subject: Fountains - To seal or not to seal in hostile apps
Posted: 15 Apr 2009 at 2:04am

I transport, set-up, and maintain water features in my business. The vast majority are concrete (or cast stone as the retailers call it) and it is pretty straightforward. I am encountering more enormous limestone fountains now that Pierres & Terres de France has a local importer. In Washington state, we have extreme temperatures in hot summers and cool winters. It is milder here on the west side, but it is wet and can dip to freezing during 3 or 4 months.

The overall question is related to sealing. I understand Maurizio has a pretty strong and straightforward answer for natural stone outdoors and it makes sense. But what about in applications either submerged or regularly exposed to water, and also what about concrete?

What I have learned:
The concrete fountain industry overwhelmingly recommends sealing their products.

What I agree with:
Considering that many of these items are painted or stained (whether or not that is smart in the first place is a different debate,) a sealer applied and reapplied annually prolongs the inevitable fading of the finish. Also, properly applied sealer stops or slows down freeze damage. Some customers simply will not winterize their fountains, and the sealer seems to penetrate or at least hold together the very fine layer that would otherwise crumble and expose the aggregate underneath when the ice collects on the edges or finer points. But in a constant submersion environment, especially with water beating down in places, it quickly "goes away." So, it isn't armor, but it helps, kind of like wax on a car I guess.

What I dont agree with:
A panacea solution. "Just seal it" is the mantra from the people selling it, but not actually experiencing it. If it works on their garden gnomes, it must work on their fountains. Sealer is not waterproofer how they make it sound. Only the most labor intensive way of applying a sealer will make it even close to how they (fountain retailers) say it will work. This means two or 3 coats on each piece before assembly (you will not get 100% coverage of the inside of a bowl after there is a pedestal placed in the center.) And during assembly minimizing abrasion where pieces are moved into place. Easier said than done. As an installer, we can do it, but forget a first time customer doing this. For that matter, many customers who purchase concrete have somewhat of a budget and are not willing to pay us the extra 3 to 6 hours and wait for an extra day for the above mentioned process. So we have resolved ourselves to passing on the recommendations from the manufacturer to the customer to limit liability, and hope for the best. :( If they can't get reliable sealing close to where the problem area is, the water will migrate from the uncovered spot and cause the damage anyway.

The only time we have ever made anything 100% waterproof is by applying a firestone rubber liner (ugly) or elastomeric (less ugly) to the inside of a basin on a larger job. This is not practical aesthetically and near impossible on a $2000 or less 3-teir generic fountain where every piece is small, curved, and visible and tiling over will not work.

I am still experimenting with this. Now, onto new territory for me:

LIMESTONE

How can I be the best possible option for the customer when it comes to limestone fountains? I would like to carry my knowledge forward, but limestone, and other natural stone is a different beast. As mentioned, I have read Maurizio's posts along with some other people who at least appear to be experts and once again, I would say I agree for the most part about outdoor stone. But my applications involve fountains of solid limestone block mortared together in either a constantly submerged (in the basin) or heavily exposed to water otherwise. Seal just the inside? Seal inside and out? Don't seal at all???

The manufacturer recommends a brush/spray on liquid (they cannot include in the containers shipped to U.S.) but it sounds like any other "penetrating" high V.O.C. sealer. They say inside and outside and reapply once per year. Sounds familiar to me!

If this was a concrete basin, I could apply any of the tools in my bag of tricks to COVER the inside with a 100% waterproof membrane and go home knowing there will never be a call-back. But when the original integrity of the stone under all that water has to be maintained, what now? I am beginning to think that if they want it to be so natural like days of old, than they had best prepare for the problems of that time ... water migration at grout lines, effloressence/mineral deposits where the water sneaks out, etc.

One more thing, FREEZING damage. I would think a sealer is important. I have personally seen 4 limestone statues (four seasons ladies) where each one had a small part of her face fall off over two years of freeze thaw here in Seattle area. Granted they were above a water pond, but not directly exposed.

After all that crap above, it is a lot to chew on so let me summarize:

In spite of the prevailing opinion for outdoor stone, what about my fountain applications?

Concrete fountains:

1. Seal or not for (a) finish protection and (b) freeze protection

Limestone fountains:

2. Sealant for (a) waterproofing (submersion or otherwise) and (b) freeze damage.

I bill myself as the local expert in my area, and if I am going to do so that means going beyond repeating something I read in a flyer or what someone heard from their dad's cousins foundation layer's son's fountain salesperson. These people depend on me. End consumers and up the food chain. I recieved phone calls from two contractors for the same job 600 miles away about how to handle an install in their area. Help me back up what I say and put an end to this debate!

Thanks!!!