SFA: What's the Answer?
Ever-Moist Quartzite
Amesbury76
I need some advice on how to address this material that is holding moisture for weeks now. This stone is White Lux Quartzite from Brazil per our supplier. First go we ran the slabs through our BACA Waterjet and CNC for edge Profiling. The issue then showed itself as whiter line on top edge matching the polished to color.
After discussing with quarry rep and the supplier we were told to recut a new slab and let dry and finish polishing by hand. The claim is the material had been heavily sealed at the quarry and is doing its job. The moisture has nowhere to escape between mesh back, polished edges and top. We removed the mesh, recut and have been letting dry. Has anyone had this happen and what worked for them. Thank You!
Coop Premium Member
Hit it with a Bernzomatic. Coop
Amesbury76
Thank you! I think a torch was in the potential options but I will check if that fell through.
Gssfabrication Premium Member
You might try some heat strips that you use to break seams with. Put a couple of them in a row. Start on the lower end and just cook the edge of the stone. The heat will spread a little through the stone but the extra heat will help the moisture migrate out faster. Rick Graff. GSS Fabrication Inc. 1944 Saint St. Richland, Wash. 99354 estimating@gssfabrication.com 509-375-1960
Amesbury76
We could definitely try that out. Thank you for the suggestion.
Stonemasters Premium Member
Heat and sunlight! Happens a lot after installs especially in the sink areas. After it dries, seal the edges multiple times. Mark Fetters
Dave.Scott Premium Member
Do not seal it until it is completely dry, then use Stain-Proof sealer. Many of the "quartzites" being sold by distributors are NOT fully recrystallized quartzite; they are sandstone, and are like sponges. David Scott Architectural Stone of Montana / Slabworks of Montana Bozeman, Mont. 406-522-9001 "What we leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, what is woven into the lives of others" – Pericles
Granite_Intl Premium Member
Would you think some stones are just sitting somewhere between that sandstone to quartzite transition? I fight with the logic sometimes of marketing a quartzite as dense and hard yet can be porous during cutting without a proper sealer. Putting myself in the customer's position; I could see the confusion. I find granular characteristics in certain "quartzites" like Zermat/Mont Blanc that lead me to believe they weren't subject to as much heat and pressure as something traditional like Taj. Zach Smyser Granite International Cicero, N.Y.