Help needed from the professionals! - Limestone Floor

[OLF]

Hi,
Limestone tile floor installed at the beginning of December 17. The floor wasn't sealed as there was a lot of moisture coming through from the adhesive. Not that it has almost dried my grey white tiles have taken on a very 'orangey' appearance (pictures attached 1&2 orangey tiles and 3 what they should look like). The supplier says 'that is natural stone for you' but hoping someone on here can have something more helpful to add? As it is they are going to have to be ripped up but then I am nervous to lay another natural stone tile in case the same thing happens again. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dumbo]

Do you have iron in your water . The tile on the table what has that been exposed to as far as i can tell its not been laid .
What particular limestone is it . This may help some diagnose

 

[OLF]

Do you have iron in your water . The tile on the table what has that been exposed to as far as i can tell its not been laid .
What particular limestone is it . This may help some diagnose

Thanks for the response, the tile on the table has been in the same room as the other tiles but not laid. It was put out to compare the colour for a week or so onto of a fixed tile. The tile in picture 3 (the lighter coloured tile) has also been in the same room but standing up. This is the tile - Florence Sandblasted & Brushed Limestone Tiles | MyStoneFloor - https://www.mystonefloor.com/product/florence-sandblasted-brushed-limestone/

 

[Bill]

Thanks for the response, the tile on the table has been in the same room as the other tiles but not laid. It was put out to compare the colour for a week or so onto of a fixed tile. The tile in picture 3 (the lighter coloured tile) has also been in the same room but standing up. This is the tile - Florence Sandblasted & Brushed Limestone Tiles | MyStoneFloor - https://www.mystonefloor.com/product/florence-sandblasted-brushed-limestone/

To be fair... the limestone in the link provided looks more like the slab in photo #1

 

[OLF]

To be fair... the limestone in the link provided looks more like the slab in photo #1

This is what our floor looks like in the pantry ....

 

[Dumbo]

This is what our floor looks like in the pantry ....

View attachment 96331

Have tested the moisture on each tile to make sure they are the same .

 

[Tile seller]

You likely have some iron in the limestone which has oxidised, (rusted) when the moisture level increased and the air could get to it.
The damper this is, the darker it will appear.
I can't see any way to fix it. I'd have thought its irreversibly stained.

 

[OLF]

You likely have some iron in the limestone which has oxidised, (rusted) when the moisture level increased and the air could get to it.
The damper this is, the darker it will appear.
I can't see any way to fix it. I'd have thought its irreversibly stained.

Thank you Tile Seller

 

[Steve Carpenter]

It does look like oxidation from the iron mineral content. You could try Tile Doctors Rust Away, which is a non-acid rust remover safe for use on natural stone.

 

[OLF]

It does look like oxidation from the iron mineral content. You could try Tile Doctors Rust Away, which is a non-acid rust remover safe for use on natural stone.

Great Advice, thank you. Certainly worth a go seeing as 82 Metres squared would need to be ripped up! I've just ordered some.

 

[Steve Carpenter]

It’s great product...good luck!

 

[Bill]

Why does the limestone need to be ripped up if the chemical cleaner doesn't work?

Why wasn't the limestone sealed before it was fixed? If the stone was dry before it was fixed then you could have sealed them (front, back and sides) to help avoid this happening even though with natural stone you have to expect some discolouration.