Installation Adhesive Stains on White Carrara Marble


QUESTION:

We just had a honed Carrara marble countertop installed in the kitchen.


Looked great until I noticed these blue-gray stains around the cooktop, sink, along some edges, and a couple other spots in the middle.

The builder was told it was from the adhesive that was used to help attach it and should disappear. Your thoughts?

ANSWER:

Hmmmmm.... "We made some glue stains on your countertops, but they should go away."

Well, your answer should be... "Okay... then I'll pay you when they do."

Countertop installation adhesive stains can appear with the use of certain adhesives and chemical additives to the glue used for attaching the marble countertop to the cabinets.

All stains in marble are dark spots, but glue stains from installation are unique.

Installation glue stains are also called "green bloom" since commonly the stains have a green color (but can be grayish or bluish as well), suddenly appear without apparent cause and sometimes grow.

The additional chemical is used to accelerate hardening of the adhesive but isn't really necessary.

The choice to use accelerants must be considered carefully due to the possibility of these stains. Stains don't always occur but are completely unpredictable. Excessive or sloppy application can be at fault as well.

Here's what happens.... The marble stains occur when the glue leaches through the slab from the underside (the side that is glued to the cabinets) through the full thickness of the slab to appear on the countertop surface or
edge.

The stains are noticed most often near the front edge and/or backsplash, around cooktops and sinks, along seams, or in a definitive pattern in the middle because this is where and how the adhesive is applied.

Green bloom marble or granite glues stains are a unique type of stain. All other marble stains originate from the top surface where something spilled absorbs into the natural stone.

Countertop adhesive stains usually appear within a day after installation, but can take a few days in some instances.

This type of blue - green glue stain may evaporate enough to become unnoticeable, but it can also be permanent. Meaning residue from the glue continues to absorb through the marble maintaining the stain. Also, the stains tend to spread and darken over time.

A stain removal process is typically required which can take some time to perform and is usually, but not always, successful with this problematic stain type.

Different methods can be tried. Rather the same procedure is used in every case, however, the most effective chemical ingredient used to remove the marble glue stains can vary.

Detailed instructions are provided in our How To Remove Stains marble maintenance manual.

Or use this Green Bloom Glue Stain Remover Kit made for this issue.

You may consider the Cleaning Marble Secrets Guide instead though. It includes the "Remove Marble Stains" guide along with everything else you'll want and need to know to properly clean and maintain your marble the right way.

Comments for Installation Adhesive Stains on White Carrara Marble

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Marble contractor - Adhesives that don't stain
by: Anonymous

Carrara marble as well as Venatino, Travertine, and other natural marble are porous. Some adhesives are petroleum-based and will bleed through marble.

The regular Liquid Nails may bleed through but the Liquid Nails Marble and Granite does not.

I’ve used it on Carrara and Travertine for over 50 installations and haven’t had any bleeding problems.

They also make Fuze it which is not supposed to bleed.

Cultured marble companies used to use Liquid Nails but they don’t use green board anymore.

==== Countertop Specialty comment:

That's good info! Thanks for your input!
White Mastic Stained White Honed Marble Backsplash
by: Anonymous

We recently installed white honed marble, but white mastic was used. Now the backsplash has a blueish-grey color to it.

Is there something that will remove the mastic stain on the backsplash and return the marble to white or at least get it lighter in color?

==== Countertop Specialty comment:

Stains from adhesive glue do sometimes occur on granite countertops, but this issue is not very common when installing tile.

Using white mastic for white marble tile is the correct choice. Why it caused the blue-gray stain is a bit of a mystery.

Possibly too much was used and it didn't dry quickly, thus allowing time for absorption into the tile.

Or it may be the particular brand of mastic used has an issue.

But if it is from the mastic, then the stain is full thickness through the entire tile, so removing the stain will be next to impossible.

Also, if this staining has occurred over the entire installation (vs. a spot here and there) then it would be even more difficult.

Glue stains on granite are the most difficult to remove and are often permanent even after the best removal techniques are employed.

However, glue stains are usually smaller spot stains and do not affect the entire installation.

If the color or staining is really bad, then your installer should take responsibility to tear it out and re-install it.
I had the same issue once....
by: Jerry

One time I used 100% clear silicon and got dark spots through a 1-1/4" thick honed Carrara marble slab at every spot we puddled the silicon.

Ever since I've used Liquid Nails Marble-n-Granite adhesive with no more problems...
Drywall mud stain in marble backsplash
by: Anonymous

I had a marble backsplash installed and when it was installed the installer used some drywall mud to fill a gap due to uneven walls. It was the type of mud that starts pink and drys white. 3 days later I am seeing pink come through the marble. Any way to fix this?

===== Countertop Specialty comment:

The mud likely absorbed into the edges of the tile. It may take a few applications but follow stain removal steps in the Marble & Granite Stain Removal guide or you could purchase a pre-made Stain Removal Poultice.
Glue stains on white marble tile floor
by: Anonymous

I recently had 12x12 marble tiles installed as my bathroom floor. My contractor used glue to lay them down. Almost immediately, the tiles began browning and in a few places there are round brown spots.

I called Home Depot where I got the tiles and he said that my contractor should NEVER have used glue on the marble and it is almost certain that the brown stains are the glue leaching through the floor.

He also said that because he used glue that the tiles are not stable and will likely crack at some point. Is there anything I can do to remove the stains?

Is there anything I can do to address the problem other than tear it out and start over? Will the tiles continue to brown? HELP!!! This has been an unforeseen disaster.

===== Countertop Specialty comment:

Well, the installer should rip out the tiles, clean up the mess and purchase new marble tile and then, of course, you'd hire someone who knows what they're doing to install the new ones.

Assuming this is not going to happen, then you could try to get the glue stains out, but often they are permanent. Sounds like you got a heavy does as well, so I wouldn't have much hope. The glue may continue to leach and cause more staining.

Even when the glue stains are able to be removed it can be a long process, so if they basically cover the floor, your best bet is to bite the bullet and start over.

Use our Contact form and we'll consult with you further about trying to remove the marble stains.
Circular Adhesive Stains on New Marble Counters
by: Ashley

Hi, I recently had Danby Montclair marble counters and full wall splashes installed and they used general loctite powergrab (which says right on the bottle that it will stain marble).

Within hours a grid pattern of coaster size circles began appearing. I'm being told that it is water/latex based and will eventually dry. Do you think this is the case and the spots will eventually disappear?

I am beyond upset as it cost a small fortune and not something we can afford to fix and they are fighting us on it. I have pictures of the spots as well but not sure how to upload to the comments.

===== Countertop Specialty comment:

Well, certainly you can withhold payment until the circles disappear and you are satisfied.

Sometimes glue stains will go away, but often permanent or take quite a bit of work to remove.

Submit photos via our contact form and we can provide further guidance.
Adhesive spots on Kashmir bianco granite countertops
by: Anonymous

I have several perfectly lined up baseball sized spots where adhesive was applied under granite to glue it to the plywood.

When I called the company I was told it was caused by the rain and that it would go away in a day or two unless it continued to rain in which case it would take several days.

I got Kashmir bianco granite and the spots are a dark dray. Decided to stop payment on check until resolved. Already paid a plumber to hook up faucet and garbage disposal which will have to be uninstalled and re-installed if new granite is needed. Horrible nightmare.

=== Countertop Specialty comment:

Due to the rain? Huh. No, it's the adhesive. Well it is true sometimes these glue stains do fade of their own, but usually it requires a rather tedious process to remove them.

Stopping payment is smart, although such stains are very unpredictable and don't happen very often.

If you do end up replacing the granite, then you may choose a different color since Kashmir white is notorious for staining VERY easily. In some cases it is difficult to seal it because it is so porous.

Always a good idea to perform the lemon juice spot test on a piece of the exact slab of any stone you intend to purchase to see if it is sensitive to acids (not good in the kitchen) or prone to staining.

Many granites don't need sealing... naturally dense and stain-proof. Most will need sealing, which will prevent 99% of stains, but a small percentage of natural stone colors are so porous they should be avoided... for kitchen countertops anyway.
Bianco Carrera marble sink stain from silicone
by: WS

Had the same thing happen with Silicone caulk on a bathroom sink. The stain continued to expand out almost 5 inches from the sink. I was told to use silicone by the marble fabricator. It did go away , visually not noticable - AFTER 6 YEARS!!!!!

=== Countertop Specialty comment:

Pure 100% silicone is okay. Other types of caulk that contain silicone and other materials may stain.
Black Marble Glue Removal
by: Anonymous

I have a situation with black shiny marble, which has a substance like a quick fix glue. I have tried petrol and it hasn't worked. Is there a better solution to get rid of these glue blobs with out destroying or scratching the marble? Please let me know.

=== Countertop Specialty comment:

Acetone and possibly careful use of a razor blade should do the trick.

See this glue removal page for more info.
Marble countertop adhesive stains
by: Anonymous

We have just had a house lot of marble installed in the bathrooms, laundry, kitchen benches, splash backs and skirting.

The installer used an oil based adhesive which caused the grey spots you are all talking about.

We had experts fly in from around the world with various techniques. Nothing works in the instance but remove and replace all marble. In our case just shy of $500,000 aud.
Statuary marble installation adhesive stains
by: Anonymous

I've been reading through this site and I have the same problem. A new statuary marble countertop that began showing these stains that are coming up from underneath (wherever the glue was applied).

It worsened over the first 3 weeks. Now I'm at the point, where I don't know whether to have it destroyed and re-done with another product or to wait it out to see if it disappears.

Our installer says it happens a lot and that it's just water/moisture stains from the glue that will go away over time. Not sure I trust him.

I read through some other comments here, but never got an answer as to whether it ended up going away or not. Can anyone help?

===COUNTERTOP SPECIALTY ANSWER:

Glue stains can and do sometimes evaporate away on their own. It can take some time. However, they don't always go away and can be permanent.

Usually, you have to try and remove them as described in the above article.

So, I'd recommend agreeing with your installer to withhold some payment (may be too late in your case...?) until they do recede or can be removed.

If still present after 3 months and after attempting to remove the stains, I'd consider them permanent.
Answer - Granite Adhesive Backsplash Stains
by: Ryan

I wouldn't say it is normal, but it can happen. They can go away, but sometimes if the wrong adhesive is used they do not and replacement is the only option.

Wait a couple or 3 weeks and see. If they spots don't go away, then demand re-install. I wouldn't make any final payment until they go away and you are satisfied.

And don't seal the tops (if needed) until spots are gone.
Granite backsplash adhesive stain
by: Anonymous

I just got granite installed and the backsplash has stains where the adhesive was. The company that did it said that it needs to dry. They said the high humidity is the cause of it. It has been raining a lot. The said it should go away in a week to 2 weeks. Is this normal?
Confused About Your Issue - under Carrera counter
by: Ryan

KF,

I guess I don't understand what or where the problem is.

You say:

"...it is not a residue on top but rather the underneath part that the counter goes on top of(because the marble is white you can see thru?...Was told this is the adhesive to help secure counter to counter top..."

What you are describing does not make sense to me.

What is the "underneath part that the counter goes on top of?

That would be the cabinets. The counter goes on top of the cabinets.

The "adhesive to help secure the counter to counter top.."?????

That sounds like some sort of riddle. I'm sorry, but I'm baffled. The "counter" and "countertop" are the same thing. The entire piece of marble that you had installed is your "countertop."

The "underneath part" to me means the unfinished side of the marble slab that touches the cabinets, is facing the floor and you do not see.

And no you can't see through marble.

What can happen though is that the adhesive can wick through the marble from the bottom until it bleeds through to the top.

If that is what has happened then you can try to remove the stains, but it can be tough to do. Sometimes it's permanent and replacement is the only option.

If you'd like to take a picture (actually I'd be curious to see it, please do if you can) you can ask another question via the form and upload the picture from your computer and I'll take another stab at it.

No need to worry too much about waiting a week... really won't change anything or make it more difficult to correct if there is a correctable problem.

If they don't go away, then I'd demand they replace it and not use whatever technique they are using that caused this in the first place.
Adhesive stains under carrera counter
by: Anonymous

Hi again
Thanks for your quick response.....the circles are somewhat regular - about 10 inches apart....it is not a residue on top but rather the underneath part that the counter goes on top of(because the marble is white you can see thru?

Was told this is the adhesive to help secure counter to counter top and it will go away in about a week when it dries.

So if that is the case and it doesn't what is your suggestion? Thank you KF.

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