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Americans have many choices to make everyday.  The tile and stone industry is no exception.  There are hundreds of products for all your protection needs.  Like any industry, some products work and others are a lesser quality.  Let us put our experience to work for you.  We have tested hundreds of products and know the right product for your unique application.

We will keep your stone and tile looking new and greatly reduce the daily time and effort needed to maintain its exquisite appearance.

We are your stone and tile care specialists!

Give us a call today and see how we can help you with all your stone and tile care needs!

Q.     Is there any special care I should take with my natural stone surfaces?

A.     Use coasters, trivets or placemats under glassware and dishes to protect surfaces.  While granite is generally not affected by heat, exceptionally hot pans may damage the surface.      

Do not set hot pans on marble surfaces. 

Do not use vinegar, lemon juice, bleach or other cleanser containing acids on polished surfaces.  These acids or even a light solution of vinegar and water will etch and eventually damage natural stone.  Acidic cleaners will also cause cementitious grout to deteriorate and strip the pigmentation from the grout.  If your countertop will be used as a food preparation area, it will need to have a penetrating sealer applied by a licensed stone restoration contractor.  The sealer must be non-toxic and safe for use on food preparation surfaces.  Blot spills with a paper towel immediately. 

Don't wipe the area, it will spread the spill.  Flush the area with plain water and mild stone cleaner and rinse several times.  Dry the area with a soft cloth. 

Don't use abrasive dry or soft cleaners. 

Never wax or put a finish on your stone.  If etching does occur call a licensed stone restoration professional, they will have the equipment and knowledge to restore your stone.

Q.     What type of maintenance should I expect for my natural stone?

A.     A regular maintenance schedule is probably the most important step in maintaining natural stone.  Never Sweep!  This only moves the dirt into lower crevices and/or the grout.  The dirt should be lifted with a vacuum safe for natural stone floors.  Then a natural stone and grout cleaner mixed (according to label instructions) with water.  Then use a clean cotton mop and water should be changed often.  Finally and most importantly a regularly scheduled PROFESSIONAL SERVICING of your stone.  Only professionals will have the necessary equipment to do any restoration of etches or scratches and then hone or polish and finally seal to protect your investment.

Q.     We just moved into a building as a tenant, and there is a travertine floor in the elevator lobby.  After only a few months of occupancy, we're noticing there are holes developing in the travertine.  Is this stuff defective? 

A.     No, it is not defective - it is simply travertine.  Natural travertine will have voids and these voids are filled with a cementitious or resin based filler during fabrication.  Since these voids are not exposed during the fabrication process, they are not filled.  Once in service, the thin shell of travertine separating the void from the face is not strong enough to support traffic, particularly heels.  The stone will "pop" out at these locations, exposing previously undetectable voids.  This is an expected occurrence.  These holes are filled when we professionally service your travertine.  This procedure may need to be repeated several times or with each "tune-up" of your natural stone.  It is analogous to a "break in " period for the floor.

Q.     I am installing a dark, honed marble for an elevator lobby wall.  I'm not sure that this is a good idea - any suggestions?

A.     Don't expect the client to be happy with it.  No matter how large the protection plate is around the elevator call buttons, building occupants will still be smudging their fingerprints on the surrounding stone.  Eventually there will be a dark stained region at this location.  While the same fingerprinting also occurs with polished, it isn't nearly as noticeable because it isn't appreciably darker than the polished stone.

Q.     What defines a honed vs. a polished finish in a limestone or any stone.  Where does one draw the line between the two finishes?

A.     A honed finish is defined as a "dull sheen, without reflection," and a polished finish as a 'mirror gloss, with high reflections."  All definitions of polish indicate that it is to have a mirror-like gloss with sharp reflections.  Honed indicates the absence of gloss or reflection, with the exception of ASTM C 119 which allows a range of "non-reflective to semi-reflective."  There are two instruments available for measuring the surface roughness of a material.  One is a profilometer, which measures the step height of surface regularities.  The other is a gloss meter, which would measure the amount of light reflected from the surface at  various angles of incidence.  Different stones polish to different levels of gloss, a standard would be required for each stone on the market, which would be an incredible task.

Q.     As far as cleanliness goes what is the best application for kitchen countertops?

A.     If you are concerned about bacterial contamination of your kitchen countertop, it looks like stainless steel and granite are the way to go.  That's what a recent study by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management, which develops educational material and research for the retail food industry shows.  The study measured the bacteria resistance capacity of six common countertop materials.  Each surface was contaminated with E. coli (nearly 2 billion of the microorganisms), washed and rinsed with soap and water and then sanitized. 

          Surface microorganisms ELIMINATED by cleaning:

          Stainless Steel          85,113,804

           Granite                     79,432,823

          Plastic Laminate             498,884

          Tile                                 293,765

          Concrete                           32,810

Q.     How durable is granite in the residential setting?

A.     Granite is one of the hardest materials on earth.  Used as a countertop material, it is resistant to scratches, acids and heat.  Of course, granites need to be professionally sealed with special sealers that will impregnate even their naturally smaller pores.  It is long-lasting, durable and available in a wide variety of colors, textures and unique crystal patterns that create a warm and inviting environment for your kitchen or bath.

Q.     What about a marble application in the kitchen or bath?

A.     Marble is very sensitive to acidic foods, such as vinegar, lemon, tomatoes, wine, as well as some tile cleaners, mildew removers and other materials commonly found in the kitchen or bath and will "etch" any calcium based stone.  These problems can be resolved by a licensed stone restoration contractor.  Some marbles with honed or matte finishes make exceptionally high quality kitchen countertops. 

Q.     What should you consider when picking out a countertop?

A.     Select a color and pattern that you can live with for a long time.  Initial selection from a sample should be followed by inspecting the actual slab that will be used for  your countertop.  Because they are natural materials, granite and marble samples will differ considerably from slabs.  Select an edge treatment that is compatible with the style and look of your kitchen or bath.  There are many edge treatments to choose from but generally a rounded or beveled edge is more resistant to chipping that a squared edge.  Be sure to hire a reputable professional to seal your stone and protect your investment.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

All American Stone & Tile Care
 Service Values

By applying the principles of trust, honesty, respect, integrity and commitment, we nurture and maximize talent to the benefit of each individual and the company.

1. The Credo is the principle belief of our Company.  It must be known, owned and energized by all.
2. Our motto: as service professionals, we treat our customers and each other with respect and dignity.
3. Company objectives are communicated to all employees.  It is everyone’s responsibility to support these objectives.
4. It is the responsibility of each employee to create a work environment of teamwork and lateral service so that the needs of our customers and each other are met.
5. Uncompromising levels of cleanliness are the responsibility of every employee.
6. Smile, use eye contact and the proper vocabulary with our customers. 
7. Be an ambassador of your company in and outside of the workplace.  Always speak positively.  Communicate any concerns to the appropriate person.
8. Take pride in and care of your personal appearance.  Everyone is responsible to convey a professional image by adhering to clothing and grooming standards.
9. Think safety first.  Each employee is responsible for creating a safe, secure and accident free environment for all customers and each other. 
   

• Established October 1, 1997

• Our Staff is Trained, Clean & Polite

• We Operate under California License #763013

• We are Bonded and Insured (Certificates Available Upon Request)

• We use Professional Quality Products and Equipment

Mr. David Walton has been a Southern California restoration contractor/owner since 1997.   His specialties lie in the full restoration of all natural stone, ceramic/porcelain tile, pavers, concrete and masonry products.  He has acquired numerous certificates of completion from classes in the art of proper hard surface floor refinishing, chemical handling, and work place safety.  He is a Member of the MIA as well as an Aqua Mix approved applicator. 

 Having a vast amount of knowledge and many years of trial and error experience, Mr. Walton provides training and consulting services to industry professionals, homeowners and facilities managers. He is recognized as an expert in southern California  in assessing the causes of hard surface issues and failures, and the necessary steps needed to rectify any situation.

He combines his extensive hands-on experience, and knowledge of the building industry to provide practical and cost effective, real-life solutions.  He has also been a speaker at the National Stone Expo Convention as well as local Contractor Seminars.

David is guided by a strong sense of fairness and integrity and he conducts his business in a professional and caring manner.  Customer Comments and recommendations from satisified clients are the mainstay of his business.

Our Owner