Frequently Asked Questions About Tile Flooring

Common finishes for Natural Stone Products include polished, honed, tumbled and antique brushed.

Before making final selection of a stone, take waste into account to make certain there will be enough material to complete the project. An often-forgotten fact is that the material from a quarry today may be different from what was available six months ago. Further, there may be more than one quarry of the material. It is always recommended to order what is typically referred to as “attic stock,” a small amount of material to be kept on the side if future repairs are needed.

Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean, non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.

Most stones are porous and readily absorb liquids and moisture. Materials like limestone and sandstone are extremely absorbent, whereas granites and serpentine (green marble) are denser, but will still absorb liquids that are allowed to remain in contact with them for extended periods of time. The use of a sealer will help prevent staining in most situations. Even a sealed surface can stain if left in contact with a staining agent for a long period of time. Therefore, all spills should be wiped up as soon as possible, and coasters or napkins should be set when serving food or drinks on a stone bar, table or countertop. Soft drinks, coffee, tea and fruit juices contain mild acids and can etch the polished surface of a stone and stain quite rapidly. These should be cleaned off immediately with mild soap and warm water.

In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use an approved non-acidic soap scum remover available at retail stores or at your local tile and stone dealer.

A sealer cures as a film on the stone surface. Since the material is actually covering the stone, the appearance of the stone surface may be altered by the application of this type of product. This material will provide somewhat of a sacrificial layer over the stone, and will absorb most of the wear on the countertop. Since the sealer is softer than the stone, normal use of the countertop will result in abrasion of the sealer surface and dictate reapplication to maintain the original luster of the surface. A properly applied topical sealer will normally reduce, although not eliminate, the vulnerability of calcareous stones to attack from mildly acidic solutions.

General Precautions: When any surface protection product is used, care must be taken to read and follow the manufacturer’s written instructions accurately. This will provide the greatest benefit from the application and will guarantee safe handling of the product.

After installation and throughout the life of the travertine floor, some of the fill may become loose depending on the foot traffic and/or because of sharp objects in constant contact with the floor (for example, heels, dog toe nails, etc.). This is a natural occurrence and can be solved by re-filling the tiles where needed with a non-sanded grout. This is part of the regular stone maintenance and pores are a natural characteristic of travertine.