5 Common mistakes with natural stone flooring

2. Not dry laying the tiles first

As mentioned above, given that natural stone can vary in colour and tone from crate to crate, and indeed within a crate, limestone has slight, moderate or highly varied detail and we can’t stress enough how important it is that your tiler unpacks and mixes all the tiles from the different crates you receive. This helps ensure you achieve that consistent, tonal blend.

Not only that, but a dry run also enables you to check you have the correct number and size of slabs. However, the greatest benefit is the opportunity to amend mistakes before tiles are secured in place. As limestone is a natural material, you can get some tiles that have markings on that you’d rather not see and these can be hidden under cabinetry – but this is only possible to review if you dry lay the tiles first. This may seem like a time-consuming exercise, but can be invaluable to achieve your desired look.

Above: Brampton limestone installed in a Spenlow kitchen.

3. Using the wrong colour adhesive

With regards to tile adhesive, we always recommend the BAL Rapid-Flex One. To explain, it’s a rapid setting and flexible adhesive, which allows for faster grouting, thus quicker installation. It’s high in quality and light in colour. And the reason it’s so important to use a light adhesive is down to the stone’s porosity, which draws up any moisture surrounding it. Therefore, if a dark adhesive is used underneath a natural stone tile, the coloured pigments are drawn up into the tile and in turn, dark moisture patches appear on the surface. This results in an unsightly problem, almost impossible to rectify without having to replace the tiles. Therefore, always use a light adhesive, and ‘back butter’ the tiles as opposed to the method used below, referred to as ‘spot fixing’.

Above: an example of a dark adhesive was used underneath these tiles. You can clearly see the dark patches seeping through to the surface of the tile.

4. Not sealing the flooring

We’re often asked if sealing a natural stone floor is an actual necessity or just a ‘nice to do’. As mentioned above, due to limestone being an extremely porous material, its imperative that your stone floor is sealed.

Consequently, we always recommend Fila Fob Xtreme stone floor sealant for unpolished surfaces. Firstly, limestone should be fully fitted and sealed prior to any furniture or cabinetry being placed on or fitted above it. Every stone is different in the number of coats required, as some are more porous than others, so the stone should be sealed until it is fully saturated and won’t absorb anymore sealant.

Your stone fitter will know the process, but generally, we recommend at least three coats prior to grouting and then as many coats as required following grouting.

Remember, sealing doesn’t alter the appearance of the stone, but will help ensure that your flooring is low-maintenance for years to come.

Above: Brampton limestone being sealed for the first time before grouting.

5. Using the incorrect cleaning products

Once sealed, natural limestone, is extremely durable. However, keeping your floor as free as possible of loose dust and grit is important. Regular vacuuming and sweeping will reduce dirt being compacted into the surface or joints of the stone.

Therefore, when it comes to cleaning we strongly recommend using specialist products for limestone. Smart Seal tile and stone cleaner is a PH neutral, non-abrasive and eco-friendly chemical, which you can purchase online. Furthermore, we DO NOT recommend using cleaners that are not PH neutral as they can permanently damage your stone.

However, over time, general wear from foot traffic will expose capillaries within the stone. These can accumulate dirt and grime which means the stone will need a more intensive clean every 3-4 years.

Thus why we always recommend you avoid any of the substances below as they can strip the sealant out of the stone which can cause further issues at a later date: