| Problem |
Cause |
Solution |
| Worn,
dull, scratched |
Traffic
patterns, construction |
Hone
and polish |
| Uneven
tiles (lippage) |
Poor
installation, uneven floor settling |
Grind
floor flat or Portland cement |
| Dull,
clouded spotting |
Acid
etching |
Polish
or Hone |
| Powder
residue |
Efflorescence |
Allow
floor to dry; buff off excess powder |
| Cracking |
Poor
installation or settling |
Fill
cracks or replace tiles |
| Holes
and pits |
Naturally
occuring, chemical damage |
Fill
with polyester resin or Portland cement |
| Flaking |
Salt
crystallization |
Grind,
hone, polish |
| White
dots |
Stuns/crystal
fractures (high heels) |
Hone,
grind |
| Water
ring/spots |
Drinking
glasses, hard water |
Polish
or hone |
| Yellowing |
Coating
build up |
Strip
and clean, polish and seal |
| Swirls |
Steel
wool or buffing pads |
Polish
or hone |
| Sticky/Cloudy
surface too much cleaner |
Wax
buildup,dirty mop, mineral spirits |
Strip
and clean, polish and seal |
| Plastic,
wavy shine |
Crystallization |
Hone |
| Dimpled
look (orange peel) |
Polished
with improper power |
Hone
and Polish |
| Warped
tiles |
Too
much water during settling or refinishing |
Hone |
| Dull/Haloed
Edges |
Poor
feathering, blending or lippage |
Grind
or hone |
