Water stains in Breccia Oniciata Marble

[keisaiguy]

Five months ago I installed Breccia Oniciata in the shower niche and as the countertop in our Master Bath. Where water puddles beneath the shampoo container on the niche and from splashing around the sink, greyish/brownish blotches have emerged. The spots do not disappear when completely dry.

Separately, an etched ring, visible at certain angles to the light, has developed on the countertop where a wet mouth-rinse cup was left out overnight. I can just feel the ring with my fingernail.

Are the small spots around the sink and the large blotch in the shower niche candidates for poutice treatment?

What form of treatment is indicated for the etched ring?

If I should succeed in removing or alleviating the water spots and blotch, should I reseal the stone? With what type of product? Because the shower niche is subject daily to cascades of water, should I wax the horizontal surface regularly in an attempt to guard against restaining?

Should I have selected a different stone in the first place?

[Topshop]

I would have selected a granite in the first place. A true granite is not acid sensitive. This is something that should be tested in the home before the purchase and installation of your stone. Most people only select stones by their colors and don't think about durability or where it is going.

It sounds as if you have either over processed city water or hard water. I would have your marble honed because every time you have it re-polished the water spots (etching) will only keep happening again and if the stone is honed you don't see this happening.

Sealers can only protect you from staining - like the one being created by the soap bottle you described - which can be polticed out. Sealer will not protect you from etching. The honing process will remove the existing etching. A good stone cleaner - like Lustro italiano will help protect you and remove any soap scum build-up.

Call a reputable stone restoration professional (you may find one in our directory) to remove the stain and hone you up and you should be good for a long time.

	Honing Honing: This is the third and sometimes last stage. At the hone stage, the surface is ~65% scratch free. There are several degrees of hone. All will leave the stone looking clean but aged.

	sealer Impregnation: This is commonly known as sealers. This is the first stage in preserving and maintaining your investment. This stage should occur ever six to eight months. There are three types of impregnation (solvent, water, silicone based), regardless to brand. This will stop most water base stains from occurring. It also will stop the stone from been damage beyond repair.

	Marble MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS This standard includes general information on the characteristics and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems associated with the material. INTRODUCTION Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite (CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed, is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds react differently with marble and produce various by-products, which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration. Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red, yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition. TYPICAL USES Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage to which marble is susceptible.

	Lustro Italiano Lustro ItalianoTM stone cleaner contains no harsh detergents that can strip away stones natural polish. Unlike some other household solvents, this cleaner will not shorten the life of stone sealants.

	Link 17573 Granite is an intrusive igneous rock (formed from the slow cooling of magma underground), the major component of the continental crust, coarse grained, and composed of quartz along with a variety of feldspar minerals and micas.

[cheesedog]

topshop is right. it is prefferable to have marble honed when installed in an area like yours, but thats your preference. some people dont mind to pay once a year or every 6 months to have someone come out to restore it. they will keep coming back, especially if you have hard water.

	Marble MARBLE: CHARACTERISTICS This standard includes general information on the characteristics and common uses of marble and identifies typical problems associated with the material. INTRODUCTION Marble is an extremely hard, metamorphic stone composed of calcite (CaCO3). It is formed as a result of the recrystallization of limestone under the intense pressure and heat of geologic processes. The effect of this process is the creation of a stone with a very tight crystalline structure and small but definite porosity. Because of its structure, marble can take a very high polish and is a very popular decorative stone for architectural and sculptural uses. The limited porosity of marble, especially polished marble, makes it less vulnerable to the leaching effects of water. Calcium carbonate, however, of which marble is composed, is highly susceptible to attack by acidic agents. Marble is readily dissolved by acids, even very dilute acids, however the actual results of acidic exposure will vary with the nature of the acid. Chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and other chemical compounds react differently with marble and produce various by-products, which have a wide range of solubility and impact on the durability of marble. For this reason, it is always important to determine the exact type of pollutants causing marble deterioration. Marble itself can be of two types, one composed of calcite and the other of dolomite. Dolomitic marble is much more resistant to acid attack than calcite marble. The color of marble ranges from the brilliant white of calcite to black, including blue-gray, red, yellow and green, depending upon the mineral composition. TYPICAL USES Marble has many decorative and structural uses. It is used for outdoor sculpture as well as for sculpture bases; in architecture it is used in exterior walls and veneers, flooring, decorative features, stairways and walkways. The way in which the stone is used may be a factor in limiting or controlling the severity of exposure. The use or function of the marble may also affect the feasibility of applying certain treatments, but type of use is not the primary factor in the major types of deterioration and damage to which marble is susceptible.