- EXPLORE THE TOP 5 TRENDS OF 2025 !
- TAKE A LOOK
In the tile industry, we’ve received a lot of questions. While we could not present them all here, these are the most frequently asked questions. All are answered by our subject matter experts.
These questions and more can also be answered by the outstanding staff at our sales service centers, design studios, and showrooms. We would love to meet you and provide personal this service – something we are known for! You can quickly find your nearest location.
Cutting tile can produce silica dust, which can be hazardous if inhaled. Dry cutting tile produces the highest probability of silica dust and is not recommended. Wet cutting methods are best. Also, use adequate ventilation to keep exposure to dust below recommended exposure levels and avoid inhaling any dust created by cutting tile.
Use of a properly fitted NIOSH/MSHA approved particulate respirator is recommended when cutting tiles for installation or during the removal of the installed tile.
Use dust-proof goggles or safety glasses with side shields. Contact lenses may absorb irritants. Do not wear contact lenses in work areas.
Cotton or leather work gloves should be worn when cutting this product to minimize skin exposure to dust and/or cuts. Wash hands prior to eating, drinking, or smoking, and at the end of the work shift, after cutting operations are conducted.
We recommend getting grout samples and placing them with your tile in the space where they will be installed. This will allow you to observe how they look with each other and how the lighting affects them.
Whether to match your grout and tile or use contrasting colors is a matter of taste. Expert craftsman and HGTV star Chip Wade offers tips for selecting grout color. Or visit one of our showrooms to consult with one of our designers (consultations are free!).
Pro Tips:
• For grout that requires you to add water and mix, the color can vary slightly from batch to batch.
• If grout color doesn’t come out as anticipated, you can use a grout stain to correct the color or the consistency of the color.
• Keep in mind that grout color can darken over time and use.
Attic Stock is additional tile purchased and stored. We highly recommend that you purchase approximately 10% more tile than you anticipate needing for your project. This “attic stock” will allow you to easily replace any broken tiles or expand your tiled space with tile from the same dye lot and printing process (which can change slightly over years) as the original installation for a perfect match.
Replacing a broken tile is rather simple. It is very important to wear protective gear, especially goggles.
First, remove the grout around the broken tile. Second, carefully remove the broken tile using a hammer and chisel. Third, remove the hard mortar or adhesive that was underneath the tile. You are now ready to replace the tile, using a tile from your attic stock, and re-grout.
Take wastage into account to ensure you will have enough material to complete the project.
Also, keep in mind that the material from a quarry today may be different from what was available six months ago. Further, there may be more than one quarry of the material. It is always recommended to include “attic stock,” which is a small amount of material (approx. 10% extra) to be stored in the event future repairs are needed.
Most natural stones are porous and readily absorb liquids and moisture. Materials like limestone and sandstone are extremely absorbent, whereas granite and serpentine (green marble) are denser, but will still absorb liquids that are allowed to remain in contact with them for extended periods of time. The use of a sealer will help prevent staining in most situations. Even a sealed surface can stain if left in contact with a staining agent for a long period of time.
Therefore, all spills should be wiped up as soon as possible, and coasters or napkins should be set when serving food or drinks on a stone bar, table or countertop. Soft drinks, coffee, tea and fruit juices contain mild acids and can etch the polished surface of a stone and stain quite rapidly. These should be cleaned off immediately with mild soap and warm water.
Sealers are recommended to protect your natural stone.
A sealer cures as a film on the stone surface. Since the material is actually covering the stone, the appearance of the stone surface may be altered. This material will absorb most of the wear on the countertop. Since the sealer is softer than the stone, normal use of the countertop will result in abrasion of the sealer surface and require periodic reapplication to maintain the original luster of the surface. A properly applied topical sealer will normally reduce, although not eliminate, the vulnerability of calcareous stones from mildly acidic solutions.
General Precautions: When any surface protection product is used, care must be taken to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions accurately. This will provide the greatest benefit from the application and will guarantee safe handling of the product.
Clean natural stone surfaces with a neutral pH stone cleaner (which are available at many retail stores and tile and stone dealers) or a mild liquid dish-washing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Rinse the surface thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.
Quick tips:
• Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.
• Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone.
• Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.
