Stone Usage Guide

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Daltile does not manufacture installation products or tile cleaning/maintenance products. Daltile provides
the information below to its customers as an information source only. Please contact an installation product
manufacturer directly, PRIOR to usage, to obtain proper handling instructions, application instruction and
warnings concerning potential health hazards for any product contemplated for use. Daltile also strongly
recommends testing a small area PRIOR to usage of any installation/tile cleaning/maintenance product to
determine whether the product serves its intended purpose.
SAFETY PRECAUTION TO CUSTOMERS
The products described in this document may have chemicals that cause reactions in certain individuals.
Daltile strongly recommends the use of safety glasses, respirators (masks) and gloves in handling
any materials that contain chemicals. Daltile recommends the proper disposal of any scrap tile/stone,
installation and/or maintenance products discussed herein.
Natural stone has its own unique qualities that not only distinguish it from man-made materials, but also
should be considered in selecting it for a particular project. Stone is not manufactured; it is a product of
nature. Blocks are removed from the quarry, slabs are cut from these blocks, and the slabs are further
fabricated into the final stone to be installed. Each block is dierent; each slab is dierent. Skillful blending
or matching of the dimension stone blocks, veneer panels, tops, etc., results in a beautiful blending of
nature’s variety and man’s design. “Uniformity of material,” when applied to natural stone, is a term of
relative value that needs to be understood when making a selection.
To ensure your natural stone products will provide you with a lifetime of aesthetics and utility, proper
maintenance is crucial. Natural stone products are porous by nature and require a dierent maintenance
program than traditional ceramic tile.
NEW INSTALLATION
Sealing is strongly recommended for newly installed natural stones to provide maximum stain
protection. Be careful to select a high quality sealer to protect your natural stone.
• Pre-Grout Sealing
Due to the narrow grout joints customarily preferred, a non-sanded grout is strongly
recommended for natural stone installations with a grout joint smaller than 1/8". (Grout joints
larger than 1/8" should use sanded grout.) This type of grout has very fine particles of cement,
polymers, and color pigments that can penetrate the microscopic pores of the stone surface,
where they become trapped and may appear as a stain in the stone. Therefore, all travertine,
slate, tumbled stone, limestone, honed granites and any stones with a textured surface (such
as flamed or scraped) should be sealed prior to the grouting process to protect them from
staining. The application of a good quality sealer should be used as a pre-grout sealer and
applied again during the final sealing process once the installation is finished.
• Sealing
A premium natural look penetrating/impregnating sealer is the normal choice on polished or
honed marble, travertine, limestone, granite, or where the natural color of a slate is desired.
A stone enhancer sealer is often used on tumbled, brushed stones, where a darker, enriched
or highlighted character is desired. When choosing either one of these two types of sealers,
make sure the brand you have chosen is formulated to provide maximum stain protection
for stone products. Stone products should be tested periodically to ensure that the sealer
is working effectively. Penetrating/impregnating stone sealers are a no-sheen, natural look
sealer that can be water-based or solvent-based, good for interior and exterior applications.
Most quality sealers of this type are rated to protect the stone for several years.
Stone enhancer sealers are also a no-sheen, penetrating/impregnating sealer that is
formulated to darken, enrich, and highlight the natural color and beauty of stone products.
They will rejuvenate and improve the appearance of worn and weathered stone. However, they
will also darken the color of grout joints. They are, generally, suitable for interior and exterior
use, and rated to protect the stone for several years.
Always reference manufacturers’ literature for specific information on the duration of the
sealer’s protection and make sure that the sealer is applied in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
ROUTINE STONE CARE
Natural stone requires a different maintenance routine than traditional, man-made ceramic tile.
Many of the cleaners acceptable for use on ceramic tile can stain, damage, or dull stone. Dirt
and dust will scratch the surface of stone. Therefore, stone floors should be vacuumed or dust
mopped frequently to remove abrasive agents from the stone surface. Natural stone should be
cleaned with neutral cleaners specifically designed for stone. These cleaners contain no acids
and are concentrated neutral pH cleaners that will not affect existing sealers or other types
of coatings. Stone cleaners should never contain acid or bleach. Acids, even a light solution of
vinegar and water, will etch and eventually damage many varieties of natural stone. A solution
of the cleaner and water mixed to manufacturer instructions should be applied to the tile
surface with a sponge or mop. On walls, kitchen counters, or vanity tops, a spray bottle can
be used to apply the cleaning solution. Allow sitting per manufacturer recommended specified
amount of time. Agitate with a sponge, synthetic mop, soft bristle brush, or through the use
of a floor-scrubbing machine with soft brushes. Mop up dirty solution and buff dry. Be sure to
change out the cleaning solution every 100 square feet to avoid reintroducing dirty water during
the cleaning process. Rinse thoroughly with clean water when finished. Make sure to always limit
the time water puddles and sits on any type of natural stone and mop dry as soon as possible.
Some textured stones may require a different cleaning method or additional procedures not
specified in this document.
HEAVYDUTY STONE CLEANING
When stone areas have been neglected, you will need to use a heavy-duty stone cleaner and
degreaser to effectively remove dirt, grease, grime, waxes, and floor finishes. These cleaning
products are concentrated and designed to deep clean the stone without damaging it. Apply
the solution of the cleaner and water mix per manufacturer instructions to the stone surface
with a sponge or mop. Allow to stand for manufacturer-specified amount of time. Agitate with a
sponge, synthetic mop, soft bristle brush, or through the use of a floor-scrubbing machine with
soft brushes. Mop up dirty solution and buff dry. Be sure to change out the cleaning solution
every 100 square feet to avoid reintroducing dirty water during the cleaning process. Rinse
thoroughly with clean water when finished. Make sure to always limit the time water puddles
and sits on any type of natural stone and mop dry as soon as possible.
STAIN REMOVAL
A stone poultice can be used to remove stains and grout haze from stone. Poultice is a fine, non-
acidic, absorptive clay cleaning powder that removes stains and light cementitious grout haze
from polished and unpolished natural stone. Stone poultice efficacy depends on the nature of
the stain and how long the stain has been in the stone. Base the selection of the type of poultice
on the nature of the stain. If the stain is too old or has penetrated the stone too deeply, a
poultice may not be enough to remove it. Spills should always be cleaned up as soon as possible.
CAUTION: Poultice may dull the shine of the polished stone. If this occurs you will need to use a
marble polish to restore the natural shine.
RESTORATION
If your natural stone floor has been damaged or is worn, we recommend that you contact a
professional stone restoration company.
SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USING NATURAL STONE:
Green Marbles & Serpentines: A mechanism exists in many green colored marbles and serpentines that
produces a warp in the tile when exposed to water, or a water-based adhesive. Since all standard portland-
based thinset compounds are water activated, setting these stones in standard thinset will likely warp the
freshly set tiles. The only failsafe method for setting these stones is to use epoxy-based thinset. Research
is encouraged on the particular stone species that is being installed, because some green marbles and
serpentines exist that do not exhibit this behavior, and therefore can be installed with water-based
adhesives. Other green stones exist that only mildly exhibit this behavior, and can be successfully installed
using thinset with reduced water volumes, or by wetting the exposed surface of the tiles after installation
to provide balanced saturation levels on both surfaces.
Fiberglass Mesh Reinforcement: Many stone products exist on the commercial market with a mesh
reinforcement adhered to the back surface of the slab or tile. The adhesive used to attach the mesh is
not uniform within the industry, but is commonly an epoxy or polyester based adhesive. Portland cement
based adhesives will not reliably bond to this surface. The use of epoxy based thinset is required to provide
adequate bonding of these tiles.
Staining of Light Colored Marbles and Limestones: Light colored marbles and nearly all
limestones are subject to staining from grey portland cement components in thinset adhesive.
Only white thinsets are to be used when installing these stones.
Sanded Grouts: The sand found in sanded grout compounds is generally harder than any of the
calcium carbonate based stones (limestones, travertines, marble, onyx). The use of a sanded
grout with these materials, particularly if polished, will result in unsightly scratches on the
surface finish of the stone tile.
Filled Voids in Travertine: Travertine, due to its unique method of formation, will typically
include voids within the stone fabric. Most commonly, these holes will be filled at the fabrication
site with either cementitious or resinous filler. Particularly in the case of cross cut tiles, many
voids can exist just below the finished surface, concealed only by a slight shell of stone material.
This concealment prevents detection and filling of this void in the factory. Once in service, a
concentrated load on a small area (commonly from a spike heeled shoe, or a heavily loaded
service cart with small diameter wheels) will fracture the thin shell of stone, exposing the void
NATURAL STONE CARE AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE