Q. I have an (intentionally) distressed marble seat in my shower. After years of use, there is a build up of white on top of it. How do I get rid of it? Thanks. A. What you're describing is likely soap scum, mineral deposits from hard water, or... Read More

Q. Apple juice stain on bluestone patio that has not been sealed. Stain is new. A. Fresh organic discolorations on bluestone are almost always removable, especially when they’re addressed immediately. Good thing you’re tending to the... Read More

Q. A little too late I've discovered that travertine was not the best choice for the master bathroom (walls and floor) of the house we are renovating for the purpose of selling. The semi polished stones looked lovely at the store but once... Read More

Q. We had a beige sandstone countertop installed for an outdoor kitchen. It is sanded smooth and was sealed with three coats of sealer. I don’t know what kind—just said “sealer” on the can. Some was spilled on our manufactured patio... Read More

Q. Spilled gun cleaner on my stone topped coffee table. It left a white stain. How can I remove this? A. Natural stone may not look porous, but it is. Liquids and chemicals can soak below the surface. Gun cleaners often contain strong solvents that... Read More

Q. I have polished white marble that is too slippery for the floor. What is the best way to take away the polish? I have not laid the tile yet. We are planning to lay the floor ASAP. A. The route you choose to take to make this floor more slip... Read More

Q. My porcelain tiles were very slippery (dangerous) when wet, so I used a product to make them more slip-resistant. It worked, but now I have several tiles with 5 or 6 droplet-like stains that I can't remove. The anti-slip product contains... Read More

Q. Grey grout stain has penetrated the surface of some of the ceramic wall tiles in our bathroom. It’s been a few weeks now, and I’ve tried scrubbing with water and a mild cleaner, but the stain is still there. Is it possible to remove... Read More

Q. 25 years ago, our painter applied a sealant, possibly epoxy, polyurethane, or acrylic, to a new flagstone interior entry. It‘s held up beautifully. We are about to install flagstone in a small breakfast room. We want to retain the color of... Read More

Q. Can an impregnator be used to waterproof stone? A. Not exactly. An impregnator will make the stone water resistant, but it will not make it waterproof. Impregnating sealers are designed to penetrate the surface and fill the microscopic pores... Read More