“Once you have cleaned it, the surface may still be wet,” Tabbah went on to say. “At that point, you do not know if the treatment worked. You have to wait for it to dry and see if it draws out the stain completely. Sometimes it requires a second application. In more severe cases, especially when stains are deep, the process might not work at all. But you will not know unless you go through the process.”

According to Tabbah, stains are especially difficult to remove when the moisture has soaked in from the edges or underneath, as it tries to escape through other parts of the surface. “Those deeply embedded stains are the hardest to deal with,” she said. “Sometimes we are successful, and other times not. If the stain is more superficial -- like from something that spilled directly on top -- it is usually easier to remove because you can identify where it came from and treat it more effectively. Unfortunately, we cannot always guarantee results. I always tell homeowners: ‘We will try, but it may not work.’ It can be disappointing if it fails, but it is important to set expectations realistically.”

Sealing the surface is key, said Tabbah, adding that there are various sealers available, many of which come with warranties. “I recommend sealing at least once a year -- more frequently if the material is very porous -- to help prevent future staining. A penetrating or impregnator sealer can be effective, depending on the surface.”

Fernanda Stuani, general manager of Cosentino’s Houston design center, said she often receives phone calls from homeowners concerned about staining. “A big part of our job is educating clients and helping them choose the right material based on their lifestyle,” she said. “For those worried about stains or who have had issues in the past, we guide them toward options that are more resistant and easier to maintain.

“Ultimately, every material has its pros and cons,” Stuani continued. “Our role is to help customers navigate those choices and find what works best for them. Personally, I have been with the company for nearly five years, and I have not had a single complaint about staining with the products we offer -- especially with Sensa, which we confidently provide.”

Sensa is Cosentino’s collection of granite and quartzite with special stain-resistant protection. Stuani demonstrated the product’s stain-resistant qualities during the Stone Industry Education event. 

On the fabrication side, industry veteran Buddy Ontra, past president of the Natural Stone Institute, said he is noticing some challenges with moisture retention in light-colored quartzites, which can cause issues like stains or warping. “Over the years, I’ve learned how to deal with this. For example, when working with quartzite slabs that have higher moisture content, I take extra time to let them dry properly before installation. This can take up to six weeks in some cases, which I make sure to communicate clearly to clients. Setting the right expectations upfront is key to ensuring a smooth process.”

Another issue Tabbah has seen is that some materials, like certain quartzites, are sold as one thing but are actually something else, like calcite or dolomite. “Homeowners often don’t realize this difference, so when they encounter issues like acid etching, they get frustrated,” she said. “I try not to correct them too harshly but instead explain that what they have might not be exactly what they expected, even though they’ve been told it was a quartzite.”

In the end, quality, communication and proper care are essential to a successful installation. When working with various stone types, you need to know their characteristics and set realistic expectations for your clients.