Quartzite Deteriorating

4 years ago

Hi, I hope someone out there can offer some good advice:) We bought what were were told was Quarzite and this happened. The install was about 5 years ago. It started discoloring (whitening) about 2 years ago. This is what it looks like now. This piece is deteriorating in a couple of spots. I can scratch it off with my fingernail. This is a cap molding of a shower curb but it is on the dry side. The wet side is fine. We used this same group of slabs for our kitchen and bath and this is the only location where it is happening. Does anyone think if this was ground down and sealed properly, the deterioration will continue? Does anyone know of any stone experts in the north central Florida area that may be of some help. Thank you in advance.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

cpartist
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Quartzite wouldn't do that.
Bob Harris Design thanked cpartist
millworkman
4 years ago
I don't believe Quartzite COULD do that.
Bob Harris Design thanked millworkman
Related Professionals
Grand Island General Contractors · Shreveport Bathroom Remodelers · Hays Bathroom Remodelers · Cedar Rapids Bathroom Remodelers · Eau Claire Bathroom Remodelers · Magnolia General Contractors · Middletown Interior Designers & Decorators · Spring Interior Designers & Decorators · Great Falls Interior Designers & Decorators · Morgan City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Branson Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Springfield Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Atlantic City Bathroom Remodelers · Grand Junction Bathroom Remodelers · Rochester Tile and Stone Contractors
palimpsest
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I believe this is spalling. As far as I know since quartzite has fissures it can develop spalling. It's very hard and heat resistant, but it is porous and has fissures. I could be wrong.
Bob Harris Design thanked palimpsest
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
4 years ago
Your stone is sucking moisture; highly unlikely that you're going to seal your way out of this. I'd try to pull the cap and check the curb for leaking and/or capillary action. If you break it, no great loss. I'd install Corian and you'll never have this trouble again.

Fred Houston of Stone Forensics is based in Floirda. He isn't cheap, but he teaches the class that restoration professionals attend at the trade shows. NIce guy too.
Bob Harris Design thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
PRO
Bob Harris Design
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank You Joe!! I left a message to Fred, he looks like the man to call. I wonder if it's condensation that builds after a shower that's eating into it? It doesn't really get splashed on and the damage is on the dry side. I have a feeling we may end up replacing it.