Stone and Tile Floor Damaged from Hurricanes and Floods? Replace or Repair (Hurricane Laura)
By
Frederick M. Hueston
In addition, many insurance companies will not pay claims
due to the lack of visual evidence and will sign off on a claim only to find that
additional underlying problems didn’t manifest visually until months afterward.
Please contact an expert who is thoroughly familiar with these types of issues
and can help with your case.
Flooding can wreak havoc on natural stone and tile floors. Flood
waters not only contain water which can harm and destroy marble, granite,
limestone, terrazzo, and tile flooring, but they also contain debris and dirt as
well as other harmful contaminates that can cause staining and other problems. Many times, the damage that is done by the flooding
will not show up until months later.
As a stone/tile forensic expert I deal with problems such as
those resulting from flooding on a frequent basis. The good news is that not all
of the problems that result necessarily mean the floor must be replaced. There
are some tests that can be performed by forensic experts to see if it is
possible to reverse the damage rather than having to resort to costly
replacement.
Following are some of the most common problems that may
occur.
Efflorescence
Efflorescence appears as a white powdery residue on the
surface of the stone. It is a common condition on stone, terrazzo, and tile installations
when the stone is exposed to a large quantity of water, such as flooding. This
powder is a mineral salt from the setting bed. It can be removed by cleaning professionals,
but many times will come back after the initial cleaning. The stone will
continue to effloresce until it is completely dry. This drying process can take
several days to many months. A major mistake that is often made—even by some
professionals—is to apply a sealer to the stone or tile. The reason this is a
major mistake is the sealer will block the escape of moisture which can cause further
problems such as flaking and spalling of the stone.
The stone or tile should be evaluated for moisture by a
professional stone and tile forensic expert to determine the extent of residual
moisture.
Sub-florescence
Sub-florescence is what happens when the mineral salts
migrate and do not make it all the way to the surface. In the efflorescence
condition above, the salts are deposited on the surface of the stone. In sub-florescence,
the salts crystallize just below the surface, causing stress within the pores
of the stone. The result is a condition known as spalling, which appears as
pits in the surface of the stone. Sub-florescence is quite common on green
marbles and on almost all stone and tile surfaces where flooding has occurred.
The stone or tile can be tested for salts by a qualified professional stone and
tile expert.
Yellowing and Discoloration
Many light-colored stones contain naturally occurring
deposits of iron. Iron is a mineral
found in stone and can occur randomly throughout the stone. If iron is present, it will begin to oxidize
when exposed to water or other oxidizers such as acids and household
bleach. Stone can remain for years
without yellowing, then over time may slowly turn yellow and in severe causes
may turn completely brown. This oxidation process is accelerated when the stone
is saturated with water as from a flood. This process of oxidation is like the
rusting of metal. If you expose a brand-new
nail to water and air it will turn brown and rust. The same process is occurring with the iron
in the stone. If water and / or air is eliminated, the iron will not
oxidize. This is the reason certain
white marbles suddenly turn yellow. The
process is difficult to reverse and replacement of the stone may be necessary
if not properly evaluated and the proper removal technique.
Warping
Several types of thin stone tiles are very susceptible to
warping when exposed to flooding. Many of the green marbles and a few
agglomerate marbles are notorious for this warping condition. Many installers have had the surprise of
finding that their tile installation has mysteriously become warped overnight.
Why does this a happen and can it be prevented?
Warping is caused by water. Green marble set with any water-based
material will have a tendency to warp.
The mechanism of why the tile warps is somewhat a mystery. Some believe that the water fills the pores
of the stone and when the water evaporates the orientation of the stone’s
crystal changes and causes it to warp. Whatever the reason, one thing is for
sure, green marble can warp when set with water-based materials or exposed to
copious amounts of water.
Cure: Once a green marble tile warps it is difficult to
repair. Attempts have been made to grind the tile flat, but this usually fails
since additional water is introduced during the grinding process. The green
simply warps again. In order to determine if the stone can be repaired a
detailed investigation must be made. This many include removing a tile to
determine the type of setting bed, etc.
Erosion
Erosion is a condition found when stone is exposed to
constant amounts of water. This is especially true with marble that is used in
water fountains. While marble is a very
decorative material, it is one of the worst materials to use in or around
water. Marble is composed of calcium
carbonate. Calcium carbonate is a water-soluble mineral. Quite simply this
means it will dissolve in water. (Want proof? Visit the Grand Canyon.) Erosion can be recognized by a slow
deterioration of the stone surface. With polished stone the polish will be worn
off. In older installations, the stone may become very soft, brittle and in
extreme conditions, it will powder.
If any architects or designers are reading this article, I urge
you not to specify marble for water fountains.
If you do, plan on very high maintenance costs and plan on replacement
in about five to ten years, if not sooner.
Hollow Sounds
I constantly get calls from insurance adjusters,
contractors, attorneys, etc. about hollow sounds that occur after a floor has
been exposed to flooding. The fact is those
hollow sounds that occur on a floor are NOT caused by flooding. The reason is simple:
most setting materials are made from Portland cement. It is a well-known fact
that Portland cement has hydraulic properties. In other words, it cures in the
presences of water. If your client is
complaining about hollow sounds and is trying to blame it on a flood, keep this
in mind. An inspection and evaluation of the floor is necessary to determine
the extent of the hollow sounds which can cause deboning and other issues.
Mineral Crusts or Lime Putty
Mineral crusts or lime putty can be recognized by its white
crust like formation on stone surfaces. These crusts are often found on outdoor
stone stairs, water fountains, interior floors and other areas where stone is
exposed to flooding. The crusts are a deposit of hard mineral salts consisting
of calcium and magnesium. These minerals originate from the soil, setting bed
or from the water itself. These salts are similar to efflorescence in that they
are a mineral. They differ in that they form a hard crust that can be difficult
to remove.
Conclusion
Having a stone or tile floor that has been subjected to
flooding evaluated by an expert is highly recommended. It may make all the
difference. For example, white marble can turn yellow months after the flood.
Tiles can become cracked due to swollen subfloors that are not visible to the
naked eye, etc etc.
Frederick M. Hueston is an expert on stone and tile damage
and has over 35 years of experience. He can be contacted at fhueston@gmail.com
