Q. I would like information on how to remove water etches (?) spots that are not smooth when I run my finger over the spot. It is a honed finish and the spots are more like water spots. There is no colored stain, it is more like dull spots scattered... Read More

Q. I have a large space covered in dull travertine tile which i am planning to polish and seal. There is a zero grout which has become very dark. how can i clean the grout without damaging tile?   A. There are several alkaline grout cleaners that... Read More

Q. I bought lagos azul limestone back in December and it is getting installed in sections. I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me. I am hoping you might know a solution or can refer me to someone. My kitchen contractor installed the tile... 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. I have laid kota stone on all my stairs and corridor doors. After installation, there were a few stains on the paint and concrete while laying stones. As we didn’t know how to clean the stone, we used thinner and acid to remove those stains.... Read More

Q. My bathroom needs to be stripped and resealed. A contractor sealed brand new travertine with a water-based sealant, and it has turned the beautiful tile into a mess. I have 160 sq. ft. on the floor, 100 sq. ft. on shower walls, and 28 sq. ft. on... 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

The problem may be with the strippers that have been used. Many strippers have an alkaline pH and this can lead to the deposit of alkaline salts in the pores of the granite. If the stripper is not rinsed throughly and any stripper residue is left... Read More

Short of removing it and installing new grout I would try cleaning it with stone soap or neutral cleaner. Be sure to use a soft brush and scrub the grout lines throughly. If this does not throughly clean the grout you may need to replace it. TIP The... Read More

The green growth you see is probably algae. Algae usually grows were there is abundant moisture. My guess would be that the tile stays wet after a rainstorm, allowing the algae to grow. To clean it, prepare a solution of bleach and water; about one... Read More