Some of the more common questions we are asked regarding marble and natural stone.
Marble Etches & Stains
What is an etch?
An etch occurs when acid comes in contact with an acid soluble material. Marble, Limestone and other calcite based materials are acid reactive and prone to etching. Etching is not something that happens on top of the stone, rather, it is the erosion of the stone. When etching happens on polished surfaces, the smooth stone becomes rough, deflecting light and appearing dull.
Does marble etch?
Yes, marble does etch. Other calcite based stones prone to etching include: Travertine, limestone, onyx and some natural quartzite.
Does granite etch?
No, granite does not typically etch. Extremely harsh acids may etch the surface slightly but for the most part, common household products will not.
Does natural quartzite etch?
Technically, true quartzite does not etch. Stone mislabelled as quartzite, such as dolomitic marble (like Superwhite) will etch. It is suggested you test your quartzite before purchasing slabs. See our blog post "Quartzite Quandary" for more information on natural quartzite and instructions on how to test material.
What etches marble?
Acidic substances will etch marble and other calcite based materials. Examples include cleaning products meant to remove hard water and soap scum, or eco-based “green” cleaners which use citric acid as their main ingredient. Foods like tomatoes, cola and vinegar will also cause etches.
Can etches be cleaned?
No, etches cannot be cleaned, rather, the affected area must be smoothened again and re-surfaced to its original finish. An etch is a lack of stone rather than something on top of the surface.
How are etches repaired?
Etches are repaired by re-smoothening the affected area and restoring the surface to it’s original finish. This typically involves gently grinding the stone, followed by either honing or polishing to match the surrounding stone.
Does sealer stop etches?
No, sealer does not prevent etching. Because sealer penetrates into the stone rather than leaving a coating on top of the stone, it will not prevent erosion of the stone at its surface.
Are waterspots on marble etches?
No, waterspots occur when water is left to dry on the surface of the stone. Impurities (calcium and minerals) found in the water will dry up on the surface leaving a ring or outline. These are not etches, but can be difficult to clean off with the limited safe cleaners available for marble and other calcite based stone. If warm water and a microfiber cloth is not successful in removing a waterspot, a fresh clean razorblade can be used. Since a razorblade can scratch the surface, this is a less risky task on granite and other hard materials.
What are stains?
Stains occur when a product has penetrated into the stone, leaving discolouration. Stains and etches can happen in the same area, for example, if red wine is spilled on unsealed marble, it will both erode the finish and leave red discolouration in the stone.
Does sealer stop stains?
Yes, in most cases sealer is designed to stop stains from penetrating deeply into stone. In extreme cases, some stains (like rust) may originate from inside the stone and cannot be removed.
Marble Maintenance
How do I clean marble floors?
Using a few drops neutral soap in clean water, floors should be cleaned with a very well wrung out mop. If the stone was recently sealed, it is important the mop is very dry to prevent excess water from “floating” on the surface, since it will not penetrate and may leave waterspots. We recommend spin mops since they are very good at leaving the mop head dry. Never use the same mop on hardwood floors and marble, or with different cleaning products.
How do I clean marble countertops?
A dedicated microfiber cloth should be used along with neutral soap to clean your natural stone countertop. Razorblades can also be used, as long as they are new they should not scratch the surface. Granite is less risky to clean with a razorblade than marble, since it is a much harder material, and less prone to scratches.
Is vinegar safe for marble?
NO! Vinegar is not suitable for marble cleaning, it will etch the stone.
How do I clean a marble shower?
Marble showers must be cleaned using a mechanical process. Typically, soap scum and hard water removing cleaners are used to clean ceramic and porcelain showers, but these products will etch and erode marble, and must not be used on natural stone. A white bristled nylon brush and neutral soap can be used. Razorblades and other tools can also be used to mechanically remove soap build up from the surface of natural stone.
How do I maintain a marble shower?
Assuming the shower is properly sealed, the most important thing you can do to maintain your natural stone shower is to allow it to dry between uses. Sitting water can penetrate into the grout and stone causing stains, mould, and discolouration. Using a squeegee after every shower and removing ~80% of the water from the walls and floor will allow the rest to dry fairly quickly. Not leaving bottles of shampoo, soap and other products to sit directly on the stone will also prevent staining. Ensuring the silicone is in proper functioning condition will prevent mould and staining as well.
How often should stone be sealed?
High traffic areas prone to water, contaminants or stains should be sealed approximately every 2 years. This includes kitchen countertops, daily use showers or mudroom floors in contact with water or salt from outdoors. Lower traffic areas can be sealed based on their aesthetic, if the floor is showing signs of wear, get in touch with a stone professional for an assessment. Durability and sealing schedules differ between stone types and their finishes. Granite and denser materials need less maintenance than softer varieties of stone like limestone.
Can I prepare food on my countertop?
Yes, we use food safe sealer allowing you to roll dough or prepare other foods on your countertops - However - Acids will etch calcite based stone (such as marble and limestone), and oil and other contaminants can penetrate into stone causing stains if it’s not sealed.
Should I cut directly on my stone countertop?
No, you should not cut food directly on your natural stone countertop. All marble and limestone will scratch and bruise if you cut on them. Granite usually does not scratch from cutting, but it is significantly harder than marble and will certainly dull or damage your knives.
Marble Repair
Can marble scratches be repaired?
Yes! Scratches are repaired by grinding into the stone enough to get below the depth of the scratch. If the scratch is very deep, a much wider area will be ground down to spread the depth across the surface and avoid deflection and dips in the final finish.
Can chips and cracks in marble be repaired?
Yes, chips and cracks can be repaired. These repairs are done using a stone grade epoxy which is always colour matched on site. Repairs are ground flat to the surface or profile of the stone and smoothened along with the rest of the material. Crack repairs are not structural, it is imperative any structural issues are repaired by a tile installer before cracks are filled.
Can my marble be polished or changed to a different finish?
Yes, marble and other varieties of natural stone can be professionally polished and restored to their original condition. We can also change the finish of your stone to a honed or patina finish and visa versa.
How is marble polished?
Marble polishing is done using polishing compounds mixed with water held in a polishing pad. This pad is put under a countertop or floor polisher to re-smoothen the surface back to it’s original lustre. If the stone is scratched and damaged, smoothening of the stone with diamond abrasive pads will be required before polishing.
Is marble repair dusty?
No, we only perform water based, “wet” grinding and polishing techniques. Any material removed from the surface is stabilized in the water, preventing it from becoming airborne.
What is the difference between polished, patina and honed finishes?
These names describe the final reflective quality of the surface of natural stone. A polished finish has the highest gloss, a patina finish is a satin/semi-gloss and a honed finish is very dull. Besides their aesthetic differences, these finishes may be suggested based on the type of stone, their location and expected traffic as well as exposure to dirt. Each finish has different durability characteristics depending on their application.
What is the most durable finish for marble countertops?
A honed finish is the most durable finish for marble countertops and other types of stone prone to etching. Since the surface is already dull, etches will not be as visible.
What is the most durable finish for marble floors?
A patina finish or a polished finish is usually recommended for marble floors. While a honed finish is durable for countertops, foot traffic tends to smoothen the stone to a shinier finish naturally, which is closer to a patina. If maintained properly, a polished floor will last a long time as well. Durability is dependent on the type of material, travertine and limestone do best when left at a patina finish, whereas marble does hold up well polished.
What is the difference between marble and limestone?
While the mineral content of marble and limestone are often similar, they differ in their formation and density. Marble is a metamorphic stone, transformed (you could say melted) by heat and pressure, making it denser and less porous than limestone. Limestone is a sedimentary stone, meaning minerals overtime compacted together in the ground without undergoing extreme heat or pressure transformation. Limestone has wider holes between it’s minerals, making it more porous.
Can you change the colour of marble?
No, it is not possible to change the colour of marble or other natural stone. Stone will become darker when polished, or lighter when honed depending on the original colour and level of smoothness. Colour enhancing sealers can be used to make a dull surface look as dark as a polished surface when necessary.
Should I replace my marble floors?
We very rarely suggest a natural stone floor to be replaced, as they can usually be repaired. If tiles are loose, cracking due to structural issues below the surface, replacement may be necessary. If there is discolouration from flooding or water migration from below the surface, replacement may be required. In most other situations, natural stone can be resurfaced or repaired to it’s original condition.
What is bookmatched natural stone?
Bookmatching is typically only done with slab installation. This is when very large slabs are cut directly from a block of stone. Natural patterning and veining in the stone is mapped, numbered and then cut to match from slab to slab during installation. The name bookmatching is derived from this act of opening slices of the block like a book, and following the pattern onto the next slab.
What is lippage removal?
Lippage removal is the act of grinding natural stone completely flat. This process removes any height variations between the tiles after they are installed. Lippage removal is done once and usually only during the construction and installation phase of a project. This is often referred to as the “single slab effect” due to the entire area becoming flat like a single sheet.
Have a more specific question about your natural stone? We are here to help!
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