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hwreath21

Limestone discoloration - HELP!

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago


To make a long story short, we had limestone installed in the entryway. After it was laid with thin set , but BEFORE grout it looked really splotchy. Almost like oil spots. We waited a week and scrubbed it with water. The color evened out and everything seemed fine- the tile was more uniform in color. Unfortunately, they laid it to high and the front door wouldn't open so they replaced the whole floor and started over. This time the tile is reacting the same splotchy way, but is not resolved by a good scrub. The tile was laid and sealed on Thursday with the intent to grout on Friday. It has been 5 days since then. Maybe the moisture is trapped because of the sealant? We used Dupont Bulletproof.

Any ideas on how to fix this?

In the pic attached, notice the loose single tile in the middle. It is also sealed but not actually attached to the floor with thin set. That is how the tile is supposed to look.

Any suggestions would be helpful, thank you!!

Comments (9)

  • PRO
    9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Holly, the stone will wick the water from the thinset as it cures, it will pronounce color variations in stone as if wet. Id suggest leting it cure fully 10-30 days. and before sealing but it souns like its to late?

    Other concerns could be related to thinset color/mixing , not backbuttering or incomplete coverage/embedding under tiles when set & beat in. ( a lack thereof could lead to blotchiness as it wicks and cures. ) it could also be that its sealed with the wrong sealer that is holding moisture and not allowing vapor transmission.....

    And yep it could be mineral content in the stone itself, I would let it cure and leave it be unless a cleanup is needed. I would wait to seal if you havent and as a side test i would take and soak an unsealed dry piece of extra tile in a bucket and see what it looks like ....- best

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thank you! I forgot to mention that they sealed it the same day it was laid. I made an edit to my post to reflect this info. Perhaps thats why the moisture has not wicked away - it's trapped! Is there a way to scrub/strip the sealer off?

  • 9 years ago
    This may be a silly question, but why didn't they just cut the door instead of redoing the entire floor?
  • 9 years ago

    I am no pro tile layer but doesn't common sense tell you to check the door clearance before installing? I would keep photo proof and document. I hope it turns out ok for you.

  • 5 years ago

    Hello , I just has this same scenario take place and I’m wondering how it all worked out with you Holly?
    I used limestone and it’s been 2 days - I put a hold on sealing / grouting because it’s blotchy .

  • 5 years ago

    How did the issues get resolved? Having the same problem with our limestone.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    same problem here with limestone fireplace wall. any updates from anyone?? i have not sealed or grouted yet.

  • 5 years ago

    Our tile setter replaced all of the limestone tile on our fireplace and made sure to put a very even coat on the back of the tile and make sure there were no blobs. We put the sealer on about a week later, and then waited about 10 days to grout. Looks great this time!