Frequently Asked Questions about Polishing & Sealing:

1. How can I make my stone floor less slippery when wet?  
Depending on the material, there are a number of possible solutions.  For marble or limestone, an acid treatment will reduce the slip potential.  It will, however, slightly etch the floor and will take the shine off any polished surface.  This can be a very delicate procedure and should only be done by a professional.  Granite floors require a more invasive procedure which can include sandblasting or grinding to remove the shiny, slippery surface.

2. Will a sealer make my stone flooring slippery?
A high quality, impregnating sealer like Miracle Sealants 511 or 511 Porous Plus is designed to penetrate below the surface of the stone.  Because of this, it will not alter the appearance of the floor nor will it make it more slippery.  Please consult a Certified Technician for proper application.

3. Should Travertine tile be sealed?
Absolutely.  All natural stones, travertines, slates, marbles granites and limestones must be sealed in order to retain their beauty and repel the elements year after year.  Low traffic areas should be properly cleaned and re-sealed once a year, higher traffic areas every 6 months, and commercial lobbies, hotels etc. every 3-6 months.  Be aware that an improperly sealed floor (i.e. not 100% clean prior to sealing) can lead to unintended restoration costs in order to ultimately achieve the look you desire in your floor.  It is recommended that the procedure as described be carried out by trained professionals.  However, sealers are used to avoid staining only. Impregnating sealers do not prevent etching from acids, staining from some oils, nor other surface damage.

4. Should I use wax instead of a sealer to treat my stone floor?
Waxes are surface treatments which wear away and will leave the stone exposed and unprotected. Wax will also discolour stone.  To protect your floor you should only use an impregnating sealer.

5. Do inexpensive sealers found at the local hardware stores work?
They are generally surface, acrylic-based sealers which do not soak into the stone and bond with the stone at the molecular level.  Like waxes, they sit on the surface and will wear off in traffic areas and thereby leave the stone unprotected. Always use a high-quality, impregnating sealer. 

6. Limestone floor showing early signs of wear and deterioration/pitting.  What could be the cause?
Generally this is caused by lack of proper sealing and/or improper maintenance. Sealers can diminish in their effectiveness over time, either because of the abrasive action of dirt particles on the surface or use of corrosive, acid-based or abrasive cleaners.  Once the barrier created by the sealer is eaten away, salts and other corrosive materials can enter the pores of the stone causing it to break down.  It is crucial to adopt a regular maintenance and resealing program.

7. Can grout between our Travertine tiles be kept clean?
In this case the material is stone so the grout should have been sealed along with the stone and therefore should come clean with Mira Clean #1 daily stone safe cleaner.  If the tile in question was a porcelain tile you can have just the grout joints between the tiles sealed to help protect against staining and mildew build-up.

8. How can I fix a dull mark caused by a white wine spill on my Limestone floor?
Unfortunately your floor is etched.  Although a sealed floor will somewhat extend the time it would take for the etching to occur, no amount of sealer can stop etching when it’s caused by the acids in many kitchen products including wine, vinegar, orange juice.  Limestone is a calcium-based stone and acidic substances will cause etching and possibly surface damage – this is more noticeable on polished surfaces.  Do not try to fix this problem yourself as the problem can become worse.  You should consult with a certified technician who can re-hone or re-polish the area.

9. What cleaners should I avoid in my Marble Bathroom?
Most bathroom cleaners (Tilex, Scrubbing Bubbles, Clorox, etc) contain acids which will damage your floor.  Only use cleaners that are specifically recommended as being safe for stone.  Miracle Mira Clean #1, Miracle Mira Wipes and Counter Kleen wipes/spray are stone friendly and easy to use on your vanities, counters, walls and floors for ongoing maintenance.  These products are easy to use and safe for all natural stone. 

10. How do I clean mildew from grout on stone shower floor? 
Never use bleach, vinegar or household cleaners because none are safe for stone.  Miracle Mira Clean #1 was formulated to do the job without damaging your stone's surface.  It's safe and easy to use for regular maintenance.  For deeper or very stubborn staining, or if the stone has not been regularly maintained, the grout can be deep cleaned by a certified professional.

11. How can I get my slate floor colors to be stronger and more intense.
There are a number of products that can enhance the color of slates, travertines and limestones.  These products can be more difficult to use then normal sealers as they have to be perfectly buffed until dry or overlap marks will be present in the finished floor and these can be very difficult to remove.  It is again recommended that you consult with a certified Technician for application of these products.

12. How can I get Urine Stains off my limestone stained bathroom floor? 
Urine is an acid and, unfortunately, there is nothing on the market today that will repel acid.  Sealers will slow down an acid’s etching slightly but not prevent it.  You need to deeply seal the floor and thoroughly clean the area daily with a cleaner that is safe to use on stone.  Over time if the area really starts to show damage it can be re-honed or re-polished and sealed but this is a specialized process that should only be carried out by certified professionals.

13. How can I remove the hazy film on the surface of my newly installed Porcelain floor?
There are many different types of grout.  Some, of not 100% removed at the time of grouting will create a chemical bond with the tile.  Even a porcelain tile is slightly porous (although not nearly as porous as stone) and can bond with some grouts.  This can create a hazy, dirty look to the floor, and it can attract dirt and be difficult to keep clean.  The only thing that will remove this film is an acid.  This is a dangerous and difficult procedure and should only be carried out by certified technicians. 

14.  Can I restore Stone Flooring that has been under carpeting and has adhesives?
Yes it can be refinished.  However you will require the services of a Restoration Professional to regrind and refinish your floor.  Most floors can be restored in this way – marble, slate, limestone, granite, travertine, terrazzo. 

15. Can scratches on my stone floor be removed? 
Yes, the scratches can be removed but it is a complicated process involving grinding the floor down with abrasives until the scratches are gone. Unfortunately this will also remove the finish on any honed or polished surfaces. The surface must then be polished with compounds until desired final hone/shine is reached.