Case Study #002 Discoloration (Rust) Granite and Marble Flooring High Rise Condo
Problem: Hurricane damage. High rise condo on the beach got flooded when hurricane broke windows. Three months after damage was cleaned up, dark, rust colored spots started appearing on the granite and marble floor.
Investigation: A visual inspection confirmed that the stone was showing iron oxidation (rusting). This is a common problem with certain stone types that are exposed to large quanites of water over a prolonged time period. Since these stones contain iron it only takes moisture for oxidization to start.
Conclusions:. In some less severe cases there are some stain removal procedures that can be used but in this case the oxidation was so severe that total replacement was recommended.
Summary and Solution: In addition to a recommendation of replacement, since this condo is located in an area where another hurricane could cause damage again it was suggested that an expoxy setting mortar be used for the new stone, which would help eliminate any moisture that would sit in the stone.
Notice brown spots from oxidation that appeared on the stone. The marble prior to the oxidation problem was pure white.
