Natural Stone

Q. I bought travertine tile, and when I got home I realized one side was polished and the other unfinished. I prefer the unfinished side. Is it possible for me to mud with the polished side down or will it not stick to the mud and pop up? Is there a... Read More

Q. I have unsealed travertine outdoor tiles that are badly stained from a large pot. This pottery pot had a large palm in it. It became clogged and, with so much rain over time, started oozing dirty water from the pot. The breakdown of the pottery... Read More

Q. What is the easiest way to remove oil stains on blue stone walkway? A. Since your question is about exterior stone, we will assume that the oil is from a vehicle engine. While different oils have different properties, the initial treatment... Read More

Q. My housekeeper put straight vinegar on my shiny black marble floor on the entry way only to my bedroom & bathroom. I have ordered an etch removal product. Is this all I need? What else will I need to do? Should I sand the etched area? A.... Read More

Q. Hi, I recently acid cleaned my granite tiles using a 1:20 hydrochloric acid to water solution. The problem is I didn't wet the tiles first so now the tiles look spotty. Is there any way I can remove the acid from the granite tiles? I am keen... Read More

Q. We spilled some turmeric spice on our blue stone kitchen floor. Any ideas on how to remove it? A. First, blot up any fresh turmeric with a soft cloth or paper towel. Avoid rubbing. It will push the staining agents deeper into the stone.  NOTE:... Read More

Q. Hi. A foaming tub cleaner was knocked over on my granite sink counter, and I have no idea how to fix the discolorations it caused. I see all kinds of fixes for foods and oils online but none for cleaners. Please help, asap!!! A. When a tub... Read More

Q. How and with what do I address a crack in a travertine table top? A. Many problems with natural stone can be resolved by homeowners. Other problems require the services of a stone restoration professional. Before you move forward with DIY repair... Read More

Q. After we applied a color enhancer to our Eromosa stone (from Owen Sound, Ontario), we noticed some efflorescence. Not sure if it was there before the enhancer was applied. Is there any way to get rid of it? A. What you’re seeing is very... Read More

Q. I cleaned soot off my fireplace stone, but it won't come out where it has seeped into the stone. A. Smoke and soot are made up of very fine carbon and oily particles that can become absorbed into the surface of porous stone. Once that happens... Read More