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How to Remove Stains for Marble, Granite, Concrete and Terrazzo
THE ART
OF
STAIN REMOVAL
By Dr. Frederick M. Hueston
www.GoDrFred.com
STAIN REMOVAL
Removing stains from stone, tile and concrete surfaces can be somewhat tricky. Before the invention of the stain sponge stains would need to be evaluated and than a complex chart of chemicals would be needed to choose the proper type. These chemical would than need to be mixed in a powder that was messy and difficult to apply. The following is some additional information to help you understand how the stain sponge works as well as some answers to questions and issues you might run into.
THE ART OF STAIN REMOVAL
Before we can remove any stain let us take a look at why stone, tile and concrete stains. The why is fairly straight forward--it stains because it is porous. The porous nature of stone, tile and concrete allows fluids to enter and become imbedded below the surface. The size of the pores determine what will enter and become imbedded. Some materials are more porous than others. Honed and textured surfaces are usually more porous than polished surfaces. For this reason a honed or textured surface will have a tendency to absorb more of the staining material. The longer the stain remains the deeper it penetrates and the more permanent the stain becomes. Certain chemical reactions can also take place permanently setting the stain. This is one reason why it is important to remove a stain as soon as it occurs. How we remove the stain is to reverse the staining process. In other words we need something that is more porous than the material that stained. We can literally suck the stain back out and into the more porous material. This porous material is what we call a poultice. Dr Fred's Stain Sponge is a poultice that is self contained unlike traditional poultices that require mixing.
The art of stain removal involves first identifying the stained material. Determining its type and then choosing the proper chemicals and poultice material to remove the stain. This sounds simple enough but sometimes is very difficult. There are many factors that determine if a stain can be removed. Fortunately we have developed formulas in our stain sponge that will eliminate the need for identification.
STAIN vs. NON STAIN
So, how do you know what a stain is? The first task is to determine if it is a stain. While this may sound like common sense, there are many problems that may look like stains but are not. Marble is one example. Almost all polished marble will become discolored and dull when it comes in contact with acids. Acids can be found in orange juice, lemons, soft drinks, foods, household and commercial cleaners, bathroom cleaners, and the list goes on and on. This dulling effect caused by acids is a condition known as etching.
Etching is not a stain. The marble surface actually becomes damaged when an acid comes in contact with marble. This is also true of highly polished concrete and some tile surfaces. To remove an etch from marble, refinishing and repolishing are required. Etching is a common problem with marble, especially marble countertops. Etching is commonly confused with staining but, it cannot be removed by stain removal techniques or chemicals. Dr Fred's is currently working on a sponge that will polish mild etching. Keep an eye on Dr. Fred's Website at www.GoDrFred.com
WATER SPOTS
Another common problem associated with staining is the deposits of water spots and water rings. These are the rings left behind from a glass. These rings appear on marble, tables and counter tops almost everywhere and are caused by slightly acidic liquids running down the sides of the glass and etching the marble. They can also be caused by chemicals in the liquid that deposit minerals on the stone. These are sometimes referred to as hard water spots. If the liquid contains calcium or other minerals, it will leave a spot on the surface in shape of the glass bottom. These mineral deposits are the same type that appear in a automatic dishwasher or a glass shower door. These rings and spots are usually not stains and cannot be removed with stain-removing chemicals and poultices. Again, refinishing and re-polishing will probably be necessary.
Efflorescence:
Efflorescence is another condition found that is not considered a stain. Efflorescence appears as a white powdery dust on the surface of the material. If you wipe your hand across the surface you pick up a light powdery residue. Efflorescence is simply a deposit of minerals on the surface. These minerals usually come from the setting bed or from the stone or concrete itself. When it becomes wet during installation or afterward, the water dissolves some of the minerals in the setting bed and carries them to the surface. When the water evaporates the minerals are left behind in the form of a powder.
Stuns:
Stun marks appear on certain marbles as white marks, but cannot be felt if you run your finger across the mark. It seems as though it is below the surface. These stun marks are usually caused by an impact on the surface of the stone such as someone dropping a heavy object or a women walking across the floor with high heels. These marks occur from an explosion of the crystals in certain marbles. This is very similar to glass when it shatters. These marks can be very deep extending all the way through the marble. They are very difficult to remove, but again, they are not considered stains.
Wet stone:
When stone, tile and concrete become wet they have a tendency to darken. This is especially true when newly installed. The setting bed is usually very wet. The water migrates to the surface to escape and evaporates. This drying process can take a very long time, depending on the temperature, humidity and air flow. Certain granites can take months to dry. However, you must be sure that you are dealing with a stain and not moisture. Moisture can appear uniform throughout the entire surface, or it can appear blotchy. The best way to determine if you are dealing with wet material is to purchase a moisture meter. These meters are inexpensive (about $250.00) and can help detect many problems related to moisture. To avoid buying a moisture meter, take a heat gun or hair dryer to the suspected wet area and see if the area lightens. Caution: Do not apply too much heat, especially to granite, because it may cause the crystals in the stone to expand and spall or the stone to crack.
These are just a few conditions that are not stains.
It is also possible to run into combinations of conditions, such as a stain and an etch. Wine is an example of this condition. The tannin in wine will stain , and the acid will etch it. In this case it is necessary to first remove the stain and then refinish or repolish the etch.
HOW Dr Fred's Stain Sponge WORK?
As stated in the beginning, the reason porous surfaces stains is because it is absorbent. In order to remove the stain, this process must be reverse, and the stain must be sucked back out. The stain sponge contain the material necessary to suck the stain back out. However, once the stain penetrates, it is very difficult to suck back out, so something must be used to loosen the stain. This loosening is accomplished by matching a chemical to the type of stain. For this reason the stain sponge also contains the proper formula for reacting with the stain.
Frequently Asked Questions
q. Can I use the stain sponge more than once?
- No, rewetting the stain sponge will not work since the chemicals contained in the sponge have already been activated and a second application will not work
q. When I wet the stain sponge and apply it to the stain part of the bag broke open..Do I need to apply another one.
- No. as long as the sponge is in place it should not matter. Just be careful when removing it when it dries
q. The stain I have is larger than the stain sponge, do you make a larger sponge?
- No you will not need a larger sponge..Just apply more sponges..You can place them side to side or overlap them.
Q. after I removed the stain sponge from the stain , the stain appears much larger. Did I do something wrong?
- NO what you are seeing is excess moisture from the stain sponge..In a few days it should dry out.
q. I applied the stain sponge and when I removed it the stain is not all gone..Should I apply another one?
- Many stains are very deep and it may require several stain sponges to remove the stain. The general rule is if the stain is coming out slowly it will eventually come out.
Q. what if the stain sponge doesn't work after repeated applications
- Not all stains are removable, this is especially true if the stain has been there for a very long time.
Q. how important is it to let the stain sponge thoroughly dry?
- It is very important. The drying causes the stain to wick out of the surface and into the sponge. If the sponge is removed before it dries, it may not be able to wick the stain completely out.
q. I have a stain on a wall, how do I apply the stain sponge to a vertical surface?
- Wet the stain as you normally would and then use some painters tape to keep it in place.
Preventing further Staining
Once the stain is removed it is a good idea to seal the countertop with a good penetrating sealer. See www.GoDrFred.com for information on sealers.
Do you need a pro?
If you stone, tile of concrete is beyond anything you can than you may need to call a professional restoration company. To help you choose a qualified pro visit..www.stoneandtilepros.com.
About the Author
Mr. Hueston is founder Fred Hueston and Associates, a successful marble and stone consulting company.
He is recognized as a nationally known consultant. A few of his accomplishments are listed below:
*Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical & Physical Science (Limnology)(University of Central Florida 1981).
* PhD in Technical Science(Bridgewater University 2002)
*A certified master stone craftsman & Architectural Conservator
*Director for the National Training Center for Stone & Masonry Trades and instructor for master and senior level craftsman certification
* Member of ASTM(American Society for Testing Materials) C-18 committee.
*Founding member of the International Association of Stone
Restoration and Conservation(IASRC)
* Technical Editor for Stone World Magazine.
* Instructor for Certified Marble and Stone Inspectors via IICRC
*Has appeared on several television shows including The Discovery Channel, HGTV and several local talk shows
*Frequently presents seminars and presentations for stone, tile and historical associations.
*Has published over 100 articles on stone installation, care & restoration in both the United States and foreign publications and journals.
*Author of over 30 books on stone and tile and has produced ten instructional videos.
*Writes a syndicated newspaper column ‘Around the House" for several papers across the US
*Has served as technical advisor, consultant & expert witness for numerous projects across the US, Canada, Asia and Europe.
* Mr. Hueston is currently the only individual who is recognized by the IICRC to train other stone inspectors.
*Mr. Hueston has served as technical advisor, specification writer and problem solver for the following:
-US Government-Office of the Architect of the Capitol, Washington, D.C.
-Federal Court of Appeals, San Francisco, CA
-Ohio State Capitol and Senate Buildings
-Latirete International
-Walt Disney World Company, Orlando, Florida
-Los Angles County Library
-Kenned y Space C enter, "Space Mirror."
*See list of projects attached with this CV
As well as dozens of architect, engineering, law, government and private industry firms
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