Problems We Fix

Modern Stone Care fixes the most common stone and tile problems in Houston homes and businesses.

If your floors look dull, grout is dark, or counters show rings and stains, this page shows what’s going on and which service solves it. Click any problem below to see details, photos, and the next steps.

Get Free Estiamate

What We Do

Inspect and test to find the real cause (soil, etch, scratch, lippage, or coating)
Clean with stone-safe products and controlled hot-water rinse
Hone to remove scratches, etches, and minor lippage
Polish to the sheen you want, from matte to high gloss
Seal to help block stains and make daily cleaning easier

Want pricing and a clear plan? Get Quote

Quick “Which Fix Do I Need?” Guide

Whole room is rough and blotchy:
Choose Full Restoration.
Looks dirty / sticky after mopping:
Start with Stone Cleaning.
You can feel damage with a fingernail:
Start with Honing.
Surface is smooth but lacks reflection:
Add Polishing.
Spills soak in or spots return:
Add Sealing.
Grout is the eyesore:
Go to Tile & Grout Cleaning.
Shower has film, scale, or bad caulk:
See Shower Restoration.

Common Problems

Dull or Cloudy Floors

Your stone looks flat even after mopping. This is usually embedded soil, old product residue, or traffic wear.

Fix:
Stone Cleaning. If dullness remains, add Honing then Polishing and Sealing.

Etching (White Rings & Splash Spots)

Acidic drinks and bathroom cleaners can mark marble, travertine, and limestone. Marks look lighter and feel smooth.

Fix:
Honing then Polishing and then Sealing.

Scratches & Lippage

You can feel scratches with a fingernail. Lippage is where tile edges sit higher than neighbors.

Fix:
Honing to remove scratches and reduce minor lippage; grind only if severe.

Staining

Oils, dyes, wine, and rust can leave shadows or dark spots—especially on porous stone.

Fix:
Deep Stone Cleaning, targeted stain treatment, then Sealing.

Dark or Dirty Grout

Grout holds soil and turns dark in kitchens, entries, and showers.

Fix:
Tile & Grout Cleaning with optional grout sealing or color-seal.

High-Traffic Wear

Main walk paths lose their pop and show a gray “lane”.

Fix:
Honing in worn paths, Polishing to match, then Sealing.

Holes & Pits (Travertine)

Open pores and pits catch dirt and feel rough.

Fix:
Clean, refill pits, Honing to level, then Sealing.

Uneven Shine

Room has blotchy areas—some shiny, some dull.

Fix:
Full Restoration to reset the whole surface for a consistent look.

Stones

Travertine

Tile and grout

Terrazzo

Slate

Quartzite

Marble

Limestone

Granite

Our Simple Process

Inspect & Test

We check stone type, finish, and damage. Small tests set the right plan.

Protect & Prep

Mask cabinets and walls, set containments, and prep the work zone.

Clean & Restore

pH-neutral cleaning, honing to remove damage, and polishing for the target sheen.

Seal & Cure

Apply the right sealer for the stone and use.

Walkthrough & Care Plan

Final check with you and a care sheet for daily cleaning.

Care Tips to Prevent Problems

Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner
Avoid vinegar, bleach, and harsh degreasers
Add mats at entries and felt pads under furniture
Wipe spills fast—especially oils, wine, coffee, and juices
Do a quick water-drop test and Reseal as needed
Set a simple Maintenance Plan for busy spaces

Areas we serve

We serve Greater Houston and nearby communities. See the full list on our Areas Served page.

areas served

FAQs

How do I know if it’s etching or a stain?

Etches look lighter and feel smooth; stains darken and may feel the same as surrounding stone. We test to be sure.

Can sealing stop etching?

No. Sealing helps with stains. Etching is chemical damage fixed by Honing and possibly Polishing.

Do you create a lot of dust?

We use wet methods and containments to control dust and keep work zones tidy.

Will everything match when you finish?

Yes. We blend the finish across the room so color and reflection are consistent.

How long do results last?

With proper care and a basic Maintenance Plan, most homes only need touch-ups in high-traffic lanes.

Houston’s Top Local Floor Cleaning and Restoration Contractors

We have achieved the honor of being the highest-rated Houston floor cleaning company, with a remarkable five-star reviews.

Review by Bruce G.

Modern Stone Care did a first rate professional job on cleaning and sealing the travertine tile on our rear patio and front entranceway. See photos. They were on time and were a pleasure to work with. They explained the process as the work was done. All of our furniture was moved out of the way and when the work was done placed back.

Review by Stevem B.

Modern Stone Care did a great job on restoring 29 year old travertine kitchen floor tile. They also showed us how to keep care of the floor tile. Price was very fair. Not supposed to use Pine Sol, as not good for floor stone (I have been using Pine Sol for last two years).. MSC polished the stone and restored its sheen. Great job!

Review by Kevin S.

We had Modern Stone Care refinish our countertops. They let us see a matte finish before doing all of the countertops and after we saw it we really liked it. It only took them a couple of hours. They did a great job and I would definitely use them again

Review by Scott B.

What an amazing job modern stone care did on my marble floors, oh my goodness! I’ve never had my marble floors cleaned until today, now I regret not doing it sooner. I highly recommend this company to anyone wanting to see a significant improvement and their stone floors. Really nice folks who come to the house and they leave the house very clean and neat.

read all our reviews