Q.
What are the advantages of Granite?
A.
In addition to the appealing beauty of granite, it maintains its colorful beauty easily and is a durable material. Granite has different textures, beautiful colors and designs. Most importantly, it resists stains, scratches and is heat and moisture resistant.
Q.
Is it better to repair my cracked natural stone tiles or replace them?
A.
We have a motto to restore and not replace, however, there are instances where the tile are shattered or they are so badly damaged that replacing them is the better option. Contact us today for a free in home estimate where we can properly assess your tile needs.
Q.
My granite countertops are no longer shiny. How do I get the shine back?
A.
Most of the time when a customer asks us why their granite countertop is not shiny anymore, it turns out that some sort of film is sitting on the surface. This happens when one does not use the proper cleanser or when they clean their granite surface with water and dish soap. (This will eventually lead to soap film build up.) Give us a call. We can provide solutions for you.
Q.
Why is it important to seal my stone?
A.
Most stone floors can benefit from sealing. The requirements of each type of stone differ. Sealing your natural stone flooring makes it less porous, more stain resistant and protects the stone’s original beauty. Once your flooring is installed, it’s important to maintain all caulked areas to guard against water damage.
Q.
Recently a cleaning firm spilled a cleaner that is obviously acid on my marble vanities. They were sealed, but the damage is still very evident in the form of hundreds of small circles. What would you recommend as the way to repair them, the materials to use, etc? Would it be better to replace the vanities?
A.
Sealing DOES NOT prevent etching. Sealing your stone inhibits staining. You do not need to replace your vanity tops, contact us and we can come out to assess the damages and give you a free in home estimate for restoring your vanity.
Q.
Do you charge an estimate fee?
A.
There may be an occasion, under special circumstances, that we may ask for this, but only if we tell you up front.
Q.
Can I use limestone in my kitchen?
A.
Like marble, we recommend avoiding the use of limestone in kitchens. Polished limestone is highly susceptible to surface changes or damage from kitchen acids including citrus juices, vinegars, mustards, and so forth. Unsealed, some of the more porous limestones can be subject to stains. If the limestone is polished or semi-polished, you will see a rough spot where the substance sat on the stone. Contact a Stoneshine professional today to help you with your selection process.
Q.
I have a beautiful entry rug. Will it harm my stone floor?
A.
Rugs are a good idea to catch dirt and grit. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. It is important to use rug holders designed to go under rugs to keep them in place. Sliding rugs are not only dangerous, they are a constant source of new scratches. Do not use rugs that are backed with rubber or latex.
Q.
Why won’t the water spots on my marble or travertine clean up?
A.
These are not water spots, but an etch mark in the surface of the stone. This is what happens when an acidic substance comes in contact with any calcium based stone. To get rid of the etch marks, the stone will need to be polished out, much like a gemstone would have to be if it were scratched. If the etching is not too severe, we recommend that you try to resolve this problem yourself first using our MB-11 Marble Polishing Powder.
Q.
Does Granite have a completely smooth surface?
A.
No. Many granites contain pits and fissures that are natural characteristics of granite. Some granites exhibit these characteristics more than others, and the lighting of the room can make these marks more or less visible.
Q.
Can granite get chipped?
A.
Granite is one of the toughest stones available. In the case of normal wear and tear, it is not expected to chip. However, abusive use with heavy or hard materials can result in chips. The great news is that we can repair the chips in your granite. We do this by filling the chipped areas with material that blends seamlessly into the surrounding area.
Q.
Is there routine, daily or weekly maintenance I should be performing?
A.
The #1 culprit of damage to marble, travertine, limestone and other natural stone floors is dirt (grit, sand & dust). The best treatment for your floor is a dry, untreated microfiber dust mop or vacuum used every day when possible. Damp mopping is recommended on a weekly basis and whenever there are visible spills.
Q.
My floors had a beautiful shine when new. Can that shine be restored?
A.
Yes! If your floor is not deeply scratched, surface polishing may bring back an acceptable shine. However, existing scratches may remain. If your floor has worn badly, a complete restoration is warranted. This decision should be made between you and us.
Q.
I have Marble Natural Stone floors in the kitchen. Some vinegar got on the floor and now we have a light spot. I believe that it is the sealer (polyurethane coating?) that got discolored. What is the best way to get rid of these dull spots and bring the normal shine back?
A.
When acid (vinegar) comes into contact with marble (calcium carbonate), it causes a chemical reaction. The result is called etching. Natural stone sealers penetrate the stone and do not prevent this natural reaction. If you do in fact have a polyurethane coat on top of your stone, then you have a different problem altogether. If the stone is etched, we can refinish it.
Q.
I am having my marble floor restored. Will there be dust?
A.
Our process requires the use of water to lubricate our diamonds abrasives to cut the stone smoothly.This system creates no dust. If at any time we need to make a repair and cut something dry, all our tooling is encapsulated by dust capturing devices.