LindaBlossom on tue 22 apr 03
We have a countertop, a new countertop about three months old, a tiled
countertop and island to be precise. Because my new studio was not finished
we bought tiles made by Seneca Tiles in Ohio. The glaze was a glossy one -
over a colored slip I believe. Tonight I noticed a curious area of darker
spots on adjoining tiles. It took a while to comprehend but there were oil
spots on the island - many spots. There were spots on the counter top next
to the stove. I have never had this happen with my own tiles and find it
hard to believe. But I saw it - oil soaked through the glaze - no problem
with the grout that I sealed so well. Is this a food test that should be
performed before buying tiles? Any idea how the oil could be removed? The
possibility that this is not a functional surface looms....is it possible?
Anyone have any ideas before.....
Linda
Ithaca, NY
John Hesselberth on wed 23 apr 03
On Tuesday, April 22, 2003, at 10:19 PM, LindaBlossom wrote:
> The glaze was a glossy one -
> over a colored slip I believe. Tonight I noticed a curious area of
> darker
> spots on adjoining tiles. It took a while to comprehend but there
> were oil
> spots on the island - many spots. There were spots on the counter top
> next
> to the stove. I have never had this happen with my own tiles and
> find it
> hard to believe. But I saw it - oil soaked through the glaze - no
> problem
> with the grout that I sealed so well. Is this a food test that should
> be
> performed before buying tiles? Any idea how the oil could be removed?
> The
> possibility that this is not a functional surface looms....is it
> possible?
> Anyone have any ideas before.....
>
> Linda
> Ithaca, NY
>
Hi Linda,
I've never heard of a problem like this, but I can see how it could
happen. Oils are really sneaky liquids and can seep through lots of
things where water won't. That is why so many people have trouble with
leaking oil lamps and why it is very important not to depend on the
glaze to keep the oil in the lamp--you need to make sure the clay is
really well vitrified. Your situation is inside out of that--having a
vitrified clay wouldn't help. A good glaze is necessary. This one must
be really lousy though.
As to what you might do about, I am short of ideas except to scream
bloody murder to the manufacturer and insist they refund your money. I
doubt there is any way to remove the spots other than refiring the
tiles. It could be that these tiles were just underfired a couple of
cones and that the glaze was not fully melted during firing. You have
my sympathy--this does not sound good at all.
Regards,
John
http://www.frogpondpottery.com
http://www.masteringglazes.com
Dannon Rhudy on wed 23 apr 03
John said:
.....Oils are really sneaky liquids and can seep through lots of
> things where water won't. .>
> ....scream... bloody murder to the manufacturer and insist
they refund your money........ this does not sound good at all....
I hate to say so, Linda, but I believe that what John said is right.
I don't see how it could be fixed, and it seems that it will
continue to get worse. Get hold of the seller and/or the
manufacturer and sort it out. They should not be selling them
for counter tops if they aren't impervious to oil.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
claybair on wed 23 apr 03
Linda,
There are products that will seal porous surfaces.
I have granite tiles in my kitchen. It was recommended that we use an
oil based sealer but my husband wanted an acrylic sealer.
I applied this stuff 5 times and does not prevent oil spots.
I have to be very careful with any oils. Fortunately the design in the
granite
conceals the oil spots.
The petroleum based stuff supposedly is very effective.
Now one day after I had silicon caulked around the sink I noticed an area
where I had wiped away excess caulk was wonderfully sealed. It was and still
is impervious to water, oils etc. I'm thinking to experiment with this on a
few spare tiles.
That said I think you should hold the store and tile manufacturer
responsible for
removal, replacement & installation of your counter.
The salesperson in the store should have advised you about those tiles. The
manufacturer should not have misrepresented the tiles as being suitable for
a counter.
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
John said:
.....Oils are really sneaky liquids and can seep through lots of
> things where water won't. .>
> ....scream... bloody murder to the manufacturer and insist
they refund your money........ this does not sound good at all....
Dannon said:
I hate to say so, Linda, but I believe that what John said is right.
I don't see how it could be fixed, and it seems that it will
continue to get worse. Get hold of the seller and/or the
manufacturer and sort it out. They should not be selling them
for counter tops if they aren't impervious to oil.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
terry sullivan on wed 23 apr 03
Linda,
Can't say I've ever seen oil or other food stuff staining through the
glaze on new tile. Not to say it couldn't happen but if that were the
case I'd look closely for crackle in the glaze. Otherwise it is very
possible for subsances to soak through the grout, even if sealed, and
then migrate up through the porous clay body to appear underneath the
glaze on a tile.
I don't have a picture and don't know the clay body etc. , but most
kitchen counter tile is a low fire glaze on a very porous bisque fire
body.
I have seen the colorant from a grout do this.
Terry Sullivan
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