Marble Installation & Maintenance
Premium stone deserves premium care. Achieve a flawless install, seal it right, and keep your marble pristine for decadesābacked by RMS Stonex expertise.
Installation Guidelines
Do it once. Do it right ā 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 2ā3 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 ā„ 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 24ā72h).
- Reapply every 6ā12 months depending on porosity and traffic.
Substrate & Environment Checklist
- Concrete cured (ā 28 days) and within adhesive moisture tolerance.
- Wood subfloors stiffened; deflection controlled; suitable underlayment.
- Movement joints at perimeters, doorways, and every 6ā8 m spans.
- Ambient temperature 10ā32 °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 weāll estimate tiles, adhesive, grout & sealer.
Maintenance & Care
Simple daily habits that preserve the shine and protect your marble for decades.
- Use a soft cloth and pH-neutral stone cleaner.
- Blot spills immediately ā avoid rubbing to prevent spread.
- Weekly: damp wipe; Monthly: deeper clean; Avoid steam on polished surfaces.
- Water-drop test: if it darkens quickly, itās time to reseal.
- Typical schedule: every 6ā12 months (higher traffic = sooner).
- Use an impregnating sealer; follow dwell time and buff residue.
- 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.
- Ventilate baths; control humidity to prevent moisture issues.
- Use trivets ā avoid placing hot cookware directly on marble.
- Wipe spills fast (coffee, wine, citrus, oil).
- For stains, apply a mild poultice; re-seal area after cleaning.
- 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 6ā12 months Maintains stain resistance.
Donāt
- 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.
Stain Removal ⢠Quick Guide
Identify the stain type and use the right poultice. Always test in an inconspicuous area first.
Steps
Rinse ā apply peroxide poultice ā cover & dwell ā remove ā rinse well ā reseal if water darkens fast.Steps
Degrease lightly ā apply solvent poultice ā cover & dwell ā remove ā pH-neutral clean ā dry 24h ā reseal.Steps
Mask surrounding area ā apply per label ā light agitation with soft pad ā rinse thoroughly ā neutral pH wash ā dry.Steps
Pre-wet surface ā apply product ā gently agitate ā rinse well ā dry; avoid standard bathroom descalers on marble.Steps
Choose oxidizer (light) or solvent (dark) ā poultice ā cover ā dwell ā remove ā rinse ā reseal if needed.Steps
Clean ā apply marble polishing powder per label ā buff with soft pad ā wipe ā reseal. For deep etches, call a professional.Steps
Test small area ā apply gel/stripper ā wait per label ā lift with plastic blade ā rinse neutral ā dry.DIY Poultice ā Base Formula
- Absorbent powder: talc, kaolin, or diatomaceous earth
- Liquid: Hydrogen peroxide (organic) or acetone/mineral spirits (oily)
- Plastic wrap & tape, soft plastic scraper
- Mix to a thick paste (peanut-butter consistency)
- Spread 5ā8 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 ā Installation & Care
Your most common questions about adhesives, sealing, cleaning, and long-term careāanswered 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.
How often should I seal marble?
Typically every 6ā12 months, depending on porosity and foot traffic. Kitchen counters and bathrooms may need more frequent sealing.
Water-drop test: Sprinkle a few dropsāif darkening is quick, itās 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 powdersāthey cause etching or micro-scratches.
Whatās 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 staināneeds 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 trivetsādonāt 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?
Yesāuse 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 2ā3 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 liquidāperoxide for organic stains; acetone/mineral spirits for oil.
Apply 5ā8 mm thick, cover, dwell (8ā24h), 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.