Frequently Asked Questions
Do you charge an estimate fee?
We typically do not charge for an estimate. Once in a while we address a complex situation where we need to do a sample area. Depending on the situation we may charge a nominal fee but you will be informed prior to any work.
How much dust will be created during the restoration of my floor?
There is no dust created during the restoration process, because we use diamond abrasives and water. The process does create “slurry” which is a combination of water and fine stone powder that is created during the honing process. It is cleaned up by our Technicians during the restoration process.
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?
Sealing DOES NOT prevent etching. Sealing your stone inhibits staining. You do not need to replace your vanity tops. They can easily be restored by Roth Restoration.
What’s the best way to clean my stone?
All tiles and stone are alkaline by nature, so the safest way to clean them is to use pH neutral or alkaline cleaning products (acidic cleaners should not be used as they can visibly damage or etch the tile or stone surface).
Please see our recommended product page.
Why should I seal my tiles?
Sealing protects tiles and stone against staining. Without a sealer, porous stone and tiles will stain almost instantly. Sealers work by providing reaction time to enable you to deal with spills.
There are two types of sealers. Penetrating sealers sit just below the surface and usually leave the tile with its original natural appearance (although some penetrating sealers are formulated to enhance the colour and character of stone). They act to repel oil and water based stains. Surface sealers, as the name implies, form a protective barrier on the surface of the tile.
We can recommend the best and proper sealer for your stone.
I’m building a new house and using travertine for the bathroom floor – what special precautions do I need to take?
Travertine is a harder variety of limestone, but it is still a relatively soft stone – therefore it will stain easily. It should be sealed with a premium quality sealer. Travertine, because it contains a high level of calcium, it is very sensitive to acid. Consequently, never use any acid material to clean the stone – use a cleaner that is pH neutral, or slightly alkaline.
What is Efflorescence?
Efflorescence is typically recognized as a white or yellowish deposit on the surface of stone, concrete, bricks, pavers, etc. It is caused by the migration of soluble salts which are carried, by water, to the surface. These salts may originate from a variety of sources, including contaminated water, unwashed sand, mortar or the cement base itself.
While usually not difficult to remove, the key issue is to prevent the re-occurrence of efflorescence. We use professional treatments which help by converting soluble salts to an insoluble form.
As always, prevention is the ideal solution. A premium quality sealer, applied to the back, sides and surface of the stone, tile or paver, will help to prevent the movement of water (and salts) to the surface. The slab can also be treated prior to the installation of the tiles.
How often do I need to re-apply my sealer?
That depends on the type of sealer and the amount of traffic on the area. A premium quality penetrating sealer should last for up to 15 years. However, a surface sealer, depending on the amount of wear and tear it receives, may need replacing as often as every 1 – 3 years.
We can assess your sealer needs, make recommendations and schedule application. See our stone care guide for how to test your stone for sealer.