Prestige Tile & Stone Cleaning
Serving San Diego County
Residential & Commercial
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Lippage Removal
Tile Lippage Removal in San Diego
Grinding uneven stone tiles flat without pulling up the floor, then honing, polishing and sealing them back to a uniform finish.
Quick answer
What Is Tile Lippage?
Lippage is a height difference between the edges of neighboring tiles or slabs, usually caused by improper setting or installation materials. A simple check: set a dime at the edge of one tile; if the neighboring tile stands taller than the dime, you likely have lippage. It is removed by grinding the floor flat with lippage-reduction disks on planetary floor machines.
Why it matters
More Than a Cosmetic Problem
Some unevenness is normal, but severe lippage, from the wrong installation materials or a slip while setting tiles, is a trip hazard. It can be fixed without removing and replacing the tiles.
Lippage should be removed and the surface flattened before a stone floor is polished. Please note: unless you ask us to remove lippage before the job, we restore the tile without removing it.
Where it is used
Where Is Lippage Removed?
Lippage is ground flat in place on stone tile and slab floors, so the tiles do not have to come up.
Stone tile floors
Marble, travertine and other stone tile.
Slabs
Neighboring slabs set at different heights.
Cantera & onyx
Uneven decorative stone tiles.
Before polishing
Floors are flattened before they are polished.
Our process
How Lippage Is Removed
01
Grind flat
Lippage-reduction disks on planetary floor machines grind the tiles until they are level.
02
Fill gaps
Grinding can open small gaps in tile and grout, which are filled before sealing.
03
Re-clean & refine
The floor is cleaned again and refined through as many stages as the desired finish requires.
04
Polish & seal
Once the floor reaches the right sheen, a penetrating sealer is applied.
Compare the options
Grind Flat or Replace the Tiles?
Lippage is fixed in place. Replacement is for tiles that are broken or loose.
Estimates
What Affects Your Estimate
Every estimate is based on the surface itself, and you receive it in writing before any work is booked. These are the main factors that shape it.
Floor area
How much of the floor is uneven.
Severity
How far tiles stand above their neighbors.
Finish
Honed or polished after flattening.
Filling & sealing
Gap filling and penetrating sealer.
Service Area
Serving San Diego County
We grind uneven stone floors flat and refinish them for homes and businesses throughout San Diego County, from the coast to inland communities.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my floor has lippage?
Place a dime at the edge of one tile. If the neighboring tile is taller than the dime, you likely have lippage.
Do the tiles have to be replaced?
No. Lippage is ground flat in place, then the floor is refinished.
Is lippage removed automatically during restoration?
No. Ask for lippage removal before the job; otherwise we restore the tile without removing it.
Get Started
Ready for Cleaner Tile, Grout & Stone?
Tell us what needs cleaning and we'll help you work out the right next step, with no pressure either way.
Free estimates
Surface-safe methods
Residential & commercial