Installation & Care • RMS Stonex

Marble Installation & Maintenance

Premium stone deserves premium care. Achieve a flawless install, seal it right, and keep your marble pristine for decades—backed by RMS Stonex expertise.

Step-by-step install Sealing schedule Daily care tips Stain fixes
Essential Best Practices
Install: Use natural-stone rated white adhesives; target ≄95% coverage.
Seal: Impregnating sealer; maintain every 6–12 months.
Clean: pH-neutral cleaner only; blot spills, don’t rub.
Protect: Coasters, felt pads; avoid heat shock and dragging.
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Installation Guidelines

Do it once. Do it right — the RMS Stonex way.

1) Preparation

A flawless finish starts with a perfect base.

  • Surface must be clean, level, dry, and structurally sound.
  • Floor flatness target: ≤ 3 mm deviation over 2 m; correct with self-leveling compound.
  • Dry-lay key veins; plan cuts and 2–3 mm grout joints for consistency.

2) Selecting the Right Adhesive

Use stone-safe, non-staining products.

  • Natural-stone rated polymer-modified thinset; white for light marbles.
  • Wet areas: choose water-resistant, anti-sag formulations.
  • Large formats: back-butter tiles/slabs; achieve ≄ 95% coverage.

3) Professional Installation

Precision handling prevents micro-cracks and edge damage.

  • Use lifting clamps/suction cups; avoid levering edges.
  • Experienced crew for cutting, profiling, and movement joints.

4) Sealing the Marble

Invisible protection, long-term peace of mind.

  • Apply a high-quality impregnating sealer after cure (usually 24–72h).
  • Reapply every 6–12 months depending on porosity and traffic.
Need a pro installer? Email info@rmsstonex.in with city, area (sqft), stone type, and timeline.

Substrate & Environment Checklist

  • Concrete cured (ā‰ˆ 28 days) and within adhesive moisture tolerance.
  • Wood subfloors stiffened; deflection controlled; suitable underlayment.
  • Movement joints at perimeters, doorways, and every 6–8 m spans.
  • Ambient temperature 10–32 Ā°C; avoid rapid drying & direct sun during set.

Grout & Finishing

  • Use non-sand (or very fine sand) grout for polished marble.
  • Clean grout haze promptly with pH-neutral removers.
  • Final buffing; apply initial seal after grout has cured.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Dark/grey adhesives under white marble (risk of shadowing).
  • Skipping movement joints (leads to tenting/cracks).
  • Acidic cleaners (cause etching and dull spots).

Need Help Sizing Materials?

Share your floor plan and we’ll estimate tiles, adhesive, grout & sealer.

Maintenance & Care

Simple daily habits that preserve the shine and protect your marble for decades.

Cleaning
  • Use a soft cloth and pH-neutral stone cleaner.
  • Blot spills immediately — avoid rubbing to prevent spread.
  • Weekly: damp wipe; Monthly: deeper clean; Avoid steam on polished surfaces.
Resealing
  • Water-drop test: if it darkens quickly, it’s time to reseal.
  • Typical schedule: every 6–12 months (higher traffic = sooner).
  • Use an impregnating sealer; follow dwell time and buff residue.
Scratch & Etch Prevention
  • Use coasters, trivets, felt pads; never drag heavy items.
  • Avoid acidic agents (vinegar, lemon, cola); use chopping boards.
  • For minor etches, consult a professional polish before DIY abrasives.
Temperature & Humidity
  • Ventilate baths; control humidity to prevent moisture issues.
  • Use trivets — avoid placing hot cookware directly on marble.
Stain Handling
  • Wipe spills fast (coffee, wine, citrus, oil).
  • For stains, apply a mild poultice; re-seal area after cleaning.
Routine Schedule
  • Daily: wipe & spot clean • Weekly: damp clean • Quarterly: audit & top-up seal.
  • Annual: full inspection; professional polish if surface dulls.

Do

  • Use pH-neutral cleaners Prevents etching and dull spots.
  • Blot spills immediately Reduces absorption and staining.
  • Use coasters, trivets, and felt pads Protects from heat and scratches.
  • Test for resealing every 6–12 months Maintains stain resistance.

Don’t

  • Use vinegar, lemon, or bleach Acids/harsh alkalis cause etching.
  • Drag appliances or furniture Creates scratches & edge chips.
  • Place hot pans directly on marble Thermal shock and rings.
  • Skip movement joints or sealing Leads to cracks and stains.
Need product recommendations (cleaner, sealer, poultice)?

Stain Removal • Quick Guide

Identify the stain type and use the right poultice. Always test in an inconspicuous area first.

Coffee / Tea
Type
Organic
Solution
Hydrogen peroxide (6–12%) + talc (or kaolin) poultice
Dwell
6–12 hrs (light); up to 24 hrs (deep)
Steps Blot → pH-neutral clean → mix peroxide + powder to peanut-butter paste → apply 5–8 mm thick → cover with cling film, perforate → wait → remove, rinse, dry → repeat if needed.
Wine / Juice
Type
Organic (acidic)
Solution
Hydrogen peroxide poultice; neutralize with pH-neutral cleaner after
Dwell
12–24 hrs
Steps Rinse → apply peroxide poultice → cover & dwell → remove → rinse well → reseal if water darkens fast.
Oil / Grease
Type
Petroleum / Organic
Solution
Acetone or mineral spirits + talc poultice (use with ventilation)
Dwell
12–24 hrs (repeat for heavy oil)
Steps Degrease lightly → apply solvent poultice → cover & dwell → remove → pH-neutral clean → dry 24h → reseal.
Rust
Type
Metallic
Solution
Stone-safe rust remover (non-acidic) or oxalic-acid based product for marble
Dwell
As per product (usually minutes, not hours)
Steps Mask surrounding area → apply per label → light agitation with soft pad → rinse thoroughly → neutral pH wash → dry.
Hard Water / Limescale
Type
Mineral
Solution
Stone-safe limescale remover (non-acidic) or very mild acidic gels formulated for marble
Dwell
5–10 mins (check every 2–3 mins)
Steps Pre-wet surface → apply product → gently agitate → rinse well → dry; avoid standard bathroom descalers on marble.
Ink / Marker
Type
Pigment
Solution
For light marble: hydrogen peroxide poultice • Dark marble: acetone poultice
Dwell
8–12 hrs
Steps Choose oxidizer (light) or solvent (dark) → poultice → cover → dwell → remove → rinse → reseal if needed.
Etch Marks (Dull Spots)
Type
Chemical reaction
Solution
Not a stain. Use marble polishing powder or pro honing; then reseal.
Dwell
—
Steps Clean → apply marble polishing powder per label → buff with soft pad → wipe → reseal. For deep etches, call a professional.
Adhesive / Paint Residue
Type
Coating
Solution
Stone-safe stripper / acetone; avoid metal scrapers
Dwell
5–20 mins (per product)
Steps Test small area → apply gel/stripper → wait per label → lift with plastic blade → rinse neutral → dry.
Safety: Ensure ventilation when using solvents; wear gloves/eye protection. Never use generic acidic bathroom cleaners on marble.

DIY Poultice — Base Formula

Ingredients
  • Absorbent powder: talc, kaolin, or diatomaceous earth
  • Liquid: Hydrogen peroxide (organic) or acetone/mineral spirits (oily)
  • Plastic wrap & tape, soft plastic scraper
Method
  • Mix to a thick paste (peanut-butter consistency)
  • Spread 5–8 mm layer over stain; overlap edges
  • Cover with plastic, poke a few holes; dwell as per guide
  • Remove, rinse neutral, dry 24h; repeat if necessary

FAQ — Installation & Care

Your most common questions about adhesives, sealing, cleaning, and long-term care—answered by RMS Stonex.

Which adhesive is best for marble?

Use a natural-stone rated, polymer-modified thinset/adhesive. For light or white stones, choose white adhesive to avoid shadowing. In wet zones, pick water-resistant, anti-sag formulas.

Target ≄ 95% coverage and back-butter large formats.
How often should I seal marble?

Typically every 6–12 months, depending on porosity and foot traffic. Kitchen counters and bathrooms may need more frequent sealing.

Water-drop test: Sprinkle a few drops—if darkening is quick, it’s time to reseal.

Which cleaner should I use daily?

Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner with a soft cloth. Avoid vinegar, lemon, bleach, or abrasive powders—they cause etching or micro-scratches.

What’s the difference between a stain and an etch?

Stain: discoloration absorbed into stone (e.g., oil, coffee). Solve with the correct poultice.

Etch: a dull spot from acids reacting with marble. Not a stain—needs polishing powder or pro honing.

What grout should I use with polished marble?

Prefer unsanded or very fine sanded grout to minimize scratching. Clean grout haze promptly with pH-neutral remover.

Is marble okay with hot utensils or underfloor heating?

Use trivets—don’t place hot cookware directly on marble to avoid thermal shock/rings.

Underfloor heating is fine if proper movement joints & flexible adhesives are used; follow manufacturer temperature limits.

Can I install marble in bathrooms and kitchens?

Yes—use water-resistant adhesives, ensure proper sealing, and maintain good ventilation. For kitchens, wipe spills quickly and reseal more often.

What grout joint size do you recommend?

Commonly 2–3 mm for tiles; large formats may vary based on flatness and layout. Always dry-lay to balance veining and joint lines.

How do I remove a coffee or oil stain?

Use a poultice: absorbent powder (talc/kaolin) + appropriate liquid—peroxide for organic stains; acetone/mineral spirits for oil.

Apply 5–8 mm thick, cover, dwell (8–24h), then rinse and dry. Repeat if needed; reseal area after.

Do you offer site visits or installer recommendations?

Yes. We can connect you with experienced installers in your city and schedule a site assessment. Share your location, area (sqft), and timeline.

Still have questions about marble installation or care?
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