Efflorescence - Removal and Prevention   By Frederick M. Hueston www.stoneforensics.com The crystallization of soluble salts in Historic masonry causes severe deterioration of the substrate. This crystallization is called subflorescence. These... Read More

  Efflorescence - Removal and Prevention   By Frederick M. Hueston www.stoneforensics.com The crystallization of soluble salts in Historic masonry causes severe deterioration of the substrate. This crystallization is called subflorescence. These... Read More

Q. I have installed a stained glass wall and pond. The mosaic sits on a mortar base, redguard sealer, then more mortar to level the surface. The glass mosaic is put up with latacrete. All of this is put on to a 8 x 16 block wall. One side is peeling... Read More

Q.Four years ago I had a saltillo floor installed in my kitchen. The tiles were not presealed. The kitchen design company and I sought advice from the tile company that supplied them as to how to install and seal them. Both are highly regarded... Read More

Step-by-Step Guidance to Achieve a Wet or Polished Look on Slate: 1. Understand the Surface Finish You Have If the slate has a cleft (rough or layered) finish, polishing in the traditional sense is not practical. If the slate has been ground flat... Read More

Q. Should I use the enhancing sealer followed by regular water based sealer?A. No. You will want to use one or the other. If you want to enhance the colors, use an enhancing sealer.   Fred M. HuestonChief Technical Directorwww.stoneandtilepros... Read More

Think Twice Before Using a Silicon-Based Impregnator on a Historic Limestone Building Limestone, a calcium-based sedimentary stone, is a building material that has been utilized for centuries. The Pentagon, the Lincoln Memorial, The Empire State... Read More

Why Water-Based Impregnators Leave a Remove Rainbow-Colored Film If your idea of fun as a kid was going outside with a bottle of bubble solution and a wand, it probably wasn’t long before you noticed a weird phenomenon where a swirling rainbow... Read More

Q. The travertine in my shower was cleaned with a bleach-based cleaning product, causing a stain. Will my travertine need to be replaced? A. Bleach should not cause a stain on travertine. You are probably seeing alkaline etch damage. A stain... Read More

Q. My house cleaning service may have used an acid-based bathroom cleaner on my marble vanity top and caused damage. Can this be fixed?A. If the damaged area is small and not too severe, you can try to fix it yourself with a quality marble polishing... Read More