IICRC SMT key terms

The primary mineral in limestone, travertine, and marble; it is calcium carbonate and dissolves readily in acids, making these stones sensitive to acidic cleaners and etching.

A dull, whitish mark left on calcium-based stone when an acid contacts the surface and dissolves a shallow layer of calcite, changing the way light reflects.

The tendency of a stone to be damaged by low-pH products. Calcite-based stones react strongly, while siliceous stones such as granite generally tolerate mild acids better.

Stone composed mainly of silica minerals, such as granite, quartzite, and sandstone. It is harder and more acid-resistant than calcite stone but still needs pH-appropriate care.

An igneous stone of interlocking quartz and feldspar crystals. It is dense and scratch-resistant but can absorb oils and water at the surface if not sealed.

A calcite-based sedimentary stone with natural voids and channels, often filled at the factory. It is acid-sensitive and its fill can erode under harsh cleaning.

A penetrating product applied to stone that lines the pores below the surface to slow water and oil absorption without forming a visible film on top.

A film-forming finish such as wax or a membrane sealer that sits on top of the stone. It adds shine but can wear unevenly, trap moisture, and complicate maintenance.

Mechanical refinement of a stone surface with progressively finer abrasives to increase gloss and remove light scratching or etch marks, usually done by a trained specialist.

A mechanical process using fine abrasives to produce a flat, low-sheen stone surface, often used to remove scratches and blend repairs before polishing.

A white, powdery salt deposit that appears on masonry and stone when moisture migrates through the material and evaporates at the surface.

A manufactured slab of crushed natural stone bound in resin, such as quartz surfacing. It is uniform and less porous than natural stone but sensitive to heat and strong solvents.

A cast product made of stone dust and a resin or cement binder, molded with a gel coat surface. The gel coat is the wear layer and can be scratched or dulled by abrasives.

The thin protective resin layer on the surface of cultured marble and similar cast products. It provides color and gloss and must be cleaned without abrasives or harsh solvents.

The polymer matrix that holds stone particles together in engineered and cast stone. It can soften or discolor with heat, strong solvents, or prolonged moisture.

Dulling or scratching caused by gritty pads, powders, or scouring tools. It is a common risk on gel coats and polished surfaces and is avoided with soft pads and mild chemistry.

Cracking or discoloration caused by a rapid temperature change, such as a hot pan placed on engineered stone or a cold rinse on a warm surface.

A dense ceramic tile made from refined clay fired at high temperature, giving low porosity and high strength. It is often rated for heavy traffic and wet areas.

A thin, kiln-fired clay tile, usually with a glazed wear surface over a porous body. Glaze protects the body but can craze or chip under impact.

The fused, glass-like finish on the face of many tiles. It provides color, stain resistance, and cleanability but can be etched by acids or worn by abrasives.

A network of fine hairline cracks in tile glaze or grout, often from stress or thermal movement. Crazed areas trap soil and moisture and need careful cleaning.

The percentage of water a tile body takes up under test. Lower values indicate denser tile, which affects freeze-thaw suitability and stain resistance.

A measured ratio describing slip resistance between a foot and a floor surface. It guides product selection for wet areas, ramps, and commercial traffic.

The ability of a floor to resist slipping when wet or contaminated. It depends on surface texture, finish, and residue left by cleaning products.

A cementitious or epoxy material filling joints between tiles. Cement grout is porous and can stain, crack, or harbor mold; epoxy grout is denser and more chemical-resistant.

A thin film of cement residue left on tile faces after grouting. It dulls the surface and must be removed before sealing, using appropriate acidic or non-acidic products by tile type.

Construction of brick, block, stone, or mortar units joined together. Masonry surfaces are porous and alkaline and often need pH-appropriate cleaning and breathable protection.

The cement-based bonding material between masonry units. Fresh mortar residue is alkaline and can burn skin or damage adjacent surfaces if not removed promptly.

Water pressure pushing against a surface from behind, often driving moisture through masonry and causing efflorescence, damp patches, or coating failure.

The ability of a coating or sealer to let water vapor pass through so moisture can escape. Low-breathability coatings on masonry can trap moisture and cause spalling.

The factory or field process of packing voids in stone such as travertine with a cement or resin filler to create a level surface; fill can erode under harsh cleaning.

Scheduled renewal of a penetrating sealer when water no longer beads on the surface. Frequency depends on stone porosity, traffic, and cleaning chemistry.

Cleaning product left on a surface after drying. It attracts soil, dulls finish, and can increase slip risk, so rinsing and proper dilution are essential.

The time a cleaning solution is left in contact with the surface before agitation or rinsing. Adequate dwell time lifts soil, but over-wetting can drive moisture into porous materials.