I just completed a bathroom remodeling project and have luna pearl granite tile in the shower..the contractor told me originally you don't seal granite tile...but it appears to be holding water as their is irregular water staining and the caulking done at the seams is bubbling up and breaking down. Now they think the problem is that the tile is holding water and want to seal it. How long will it take to dry out? Shouldn't they strip any soap scum from the tiles prior to sealing? They also have to sut out grout and redo several places as it is seperating from the tile, isn't there a cure up time on grout prior to sealing. ANy comments, recommended steps to get my project done correctly is appreciated. MAny thanks

 

Dear Nancy:

 

“ but it appears to be holding water as their is irregular water staining and the caulking done at the seams is bubbling up and breaking down. ”

 

I want to make clear that I never believe for a minute to be a particularly gifted individual, but in this particular case I feel like being a genius! I'm not there to see your shower stall, I don't even know what kind of granite or “granite” you have, yet I do know already – simply by what you're reporting me – that the real problem is that somehow water found its way behind those tiles. I mean: the granite is holding water in???… Of course it does: the water is behind it!! Unless that particular stone, whatever that might be, comes from Mars or something, there are only two chances to that they could hold water in from without: no way and no how!

And then the bubbling of the caulk business is a sure tell that there's water behind those tiles. Add to that that some of the grout is separating from the tiles, and the picture is right there in front of you loud and clear.

Yet, people that are allegedly professionals and have the advantage of actually seeing the installation one foot away from their nose, conclude that all you have to do to solve the problem is to apply a totally useless (under the circumstances) sealer for stone. Which of course would only make matters worse. WOW!!

What to do?

Without seeing it I really can't tell for sure, but it is certain that whatever it is that they plan to do will not work, period.

If the situation is not too far-gone, try this:

Stop using that shower stall effective immediately. Hoping that the tiles were set with an appropriate grout gap (1/16” to 1/8”), open all the grout lines. Gently push sheets of Bounty paper towel (no, I don't hold any stock on the company that makes Bounty: it is simply the very best for this purpose J ) inside the open grout lines and, if and where possible even a little under the tiles. Leave them there until the paper towel will be as dry as a bone. It may take a few weeks.

Once that is done, you will remove any possible mold stains with a poultice based on MB-9 (but it doesn't appear to be your case here). Once the stains are gone, re-grout using latex-based color matching caulk instead of grout, let it cure for a couple of days and start using the shower again.

All this hoping, like I said before, that the situation is not too far-gone.

Now remember, it's never too early to think about the proper maintenance of your stone. The issue of what you'll be doing day in and day out to your stone is – as it should be intuitive – vastly more important than its sealing (if and when possible and/or advisable) and it's all too often neglected. As you can tell by reading many of this site's postings, you're not likely to get good information about routine care from your dealer or installer. Don't become another statistic! By logging into the Helpful Hints section of our website at:  http://www.mbstone.com/HH_promo/helpful_hints.htm , you will be able to get the short version of our maintenance guidelines at no charge. The full version of it – a 7-page document considered by many as an industry benchmark – is available in pay- per-download format in our Educational Literature section at:  http://www.mbstone.com/literature/literature.htm .  

And remember, every single penny of the cost of the literature will be used to support this site and its cause: your cause.

While you are in the “Helpful Hints” section, do spend some time reading all of the interesting FREE articles you'll find in there!

Finally, keep in mind that we need your support to help us helping you!

Will you please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?    

By spreading the word about this valuable site among your friend & family and the stone trades' people you've been dealing with, you will be rendering everybody a valuable service!

Thank you  

Ciao and good luck,

Maurizio Bertoli

 

www.marblecleaning.org – The only Consumers' Portal to the Stone Industry Establishment!