Diagnose my Stained Marble Counter, Please
Check out the discolored area next to my sink. I often sit soapy dishes here, so I imagine that's why it's discolored. Is it the water itself that's discolored the marble? I read that marble has iron in it that can rust when wet.
Or is the discoloration from something else? The soapy dishes have all manner of food residue on them, after all.
I'm going to be doing another kitchen soon. And while I love the look of marble, I would not do it again. I've read a lot on the boards about quartzite and granite that look somewhat like marble. I know they're harder and they don't etch. But I really don't mind the etching or softness at all! It's the resistance to stains that is my #1 concern. Any thoughts on a) what caused this stain and b) what material I should choose in the future?
Thanks!
Comments (7)
K R
5 years ago
thecohens
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Oh no! I left turmeric on my marble counters overnight!
Comments (11)over the holiday, I left my Le Creuset dutch oven accidentally draining after washing directly on the marble, rather than on a towel. Next day I had a big rust ring. Usual initial panic. Got most of it up with just a dilute stone cleaner, then threw a little baking powder on and left for a couple hours. Got back, wiped down again and rust gone. And that's with a counter that is about a year overdue to be resealed. Still love our marble, and we have a ton of it. I've even come to really like the etching--becomes "personalized" in a way that cold hard granite (or even more so, man made solid surface) counters never do....See MoreMysterious ceiling stain -- please help diagnose
Comments (16)If the sheetrock is already stained, it may be sagging and/or deteriorated too which means that you have a sheetrock repair in your future. If that's already the case I would cut a hole big enough to stick my head through and look around. You'll have a hole to patch but if you already have sheetrock damage you have that problem already. Is this a new house or new ceiling? How long ago was the ceiling painted? Could there have been a spot of something on the sheetrock before installation that is making the paint bubble? If the ceiling has been up for years, that's not it ... but thought I would ask....See Moreif you have marble counters, come in, please!
Comments (9)My 3 cm has been installed for about 6 months now. I have no chips or cracks. I work at a store that also has marble counters. They are about 4 years old and they have no cracks but lots of chipping at the edge. Of course, this is a store with a lot of traffic and those counters probably see more use in one December than my kitchen sees in two years! That said, they still look good. How can they look bad when they are next to a $40,000 La Cornue? Seriously though, I was face-to-face with the chips at work yet I still decided to go with the marble. I must add that the etching bothers me more than I expected. I also have several antique marble pieces and thought I was fine with the etching. But on my peninsula the etching is occurring all around the perimeter yet not in the middle (because who preps their food 18" in front of them?). This makes it look like the counter is dirty. I don't regret getting the marble as it really is beautiful - etching and all - but if I had to do it again I would consider other materials as well. Nicole...See MoreStained Marble Counters?
Comments (11)Just saw this. The sealer on mine is a StoneTech product but all I have is a bit they poured into a used water bottle. I bought the cleaner in the same line because my fabricator recommended it, but I don't use it that often. It was sealed about 4 years ago and I resealed it six months to a year later and then got more relaxed about it. I've been thinking I need to give it a treatment about now - out of the same water bottle. Then I will need to get some more and figure out what exactly it was. I remember a lot of discussion about marble and sealers and 2 kept being mentioned -- the StoneTech and another one. I wish I could remember what they were and help you better. It's possible a search might turn up some of those older threads....See More
Sue 430
5 years agoHelen
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
I bought a ledge type of sink and some accessories for it including a "grate". It fits over the top of my sink and I can use it to dry dishes; put wet stuff; gooky stuff or whatever else I might put on the counter. When not in use I put it on the bottom of the sink.
I also got a cutting board that can be used over the sink - so convenient to just swipe the stuff directly into the sink and if veggies and much less cleaning up the counter constantly or wiping it down.
I have a relatively small kitchen - it's a small urban galley kitchen but I opted for a 36" sink because I think having work space ABOVE the sink is more functional than more counter space for prep. I also got the little sponge caddy which will enable me to put the sponge or whatever out of sight and not on the counter.
Here's a picture of it when it was first installed but kitchen was still a work in progress. The ledge runs all around it and the accessories fit so they are flush with the counter.
roarah
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
Mrs. Gopher #BringBackSophie
5 years ago
Fori