Here’s the problem with DIY tile floor restoration, natural stones like marble and terrazzo are extremely vulnerable to liquids with a high acidic content. These materials will leave etch marks on the surface, which will have to be grinded away. That means any acidic material could destroy your expensive tile floor or marble countertops.
Too often, someone embarks on tile floor restoration to clean up the etch marks made by a previous owner’s botched tile floor restoration.
What kind of household goods contain acid that will etch during tile floor restoration?
- Most hard water and mineral deposit removers
- Virtually all toilet bowl cleaners
- Rust removing products
- Ironically, many tile cleaners
- Drain cleaners
- Lemon juice, wine, vinegar, and other acidic foods
The Key To DIY Tile Floor Restoration? Call the Professionals
If you have faux tile, ceramic, or porcelain floors, then you may be able to get away with cleaning or restoration yourself. But for high quality stone tiles, this usually is impossible.
Natural stone of all kinds is a popular building material in the United States, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. Stone tiles are often made with materials like ceramic or porcelain, but more high quality materials are popular as well. In particular, natural stonework popular with the Romans are making a comeback, and you’ll find travertine and terrazzo tiles in kitchens and bathrooms all over the country today.
Natural stone is generally more expensive than hardwood or concrete, yet many people forget it’s also more delicate. Common household cleaning products will literally eat away at the surface of marble, travertine, and other stone tiles, leaving an ugly stain that you can’t just wash away.
That’s why DIY tile floor cleaning and restoration is almost always a huge mistake. To pull off marble or travertine restoration, you typically need speciality cleaners, tools, and sealants you won’t find at the hardware store.
Besides, if your home has natural stone tiles made from marble or terrazzo, then it’s worth the investment to hire professional tile restoration experts. When properly cared for, these gorgeous stone tiles will last for centuries. Unlike other surfaces in your home, common household cleaners, warm water, and elbow grease simply isn’t enough to do the job right. So for big jobs like terrazzo floor polishing, you’ll need to call in the pros. But with the right TLC — which means the right equipment and sealants — you can restore your tile floor to its former beauty, leaving you with a shine that will last for years to come.