Q. My fireplace surround is a honey colored marble which has become stained black from what I assume is smoke/soot from building fires in it. These stains appear to be below the surface, that is to say that the marble retains its sheen and most of... Read More

Q. I accidentally left a candle on my wood burner, lit a fire and the wax melted. The candle was on a saucer which collected most of the wax. When I moved the candle and placed it on the hearth, I spilt the wax. After it had cooled down I lifted the... Read More

Q. I have a sandstone fireplace from the 80s; the previous owners had a fireplace screen door on it and they caulked around the door onto the stone. I removed the fireplace screen door and caulk, but it left a stain that I can't remove. I have... Read More

Q. Unfortunately, I had a decorative Halloween candle holder with the fake light in it turned on. Part of the black plastic from the candle holder melted from the heat of the cast concrete fireplace and ran down the mantel. I cannot get the stain out... Read More

Q. I have a base to a fireplace that is gray in color and rough, not smooth. How do I identify what type of stone it is? A. It’s entirely possible that your fireplace base that looks like stone isn’t natural stone at all. Many fireplaces... 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

Several products are designed specifically for cleaning soot and carbon build-up from marble. Contact your marble supply house. Be sure the product is not an acid; apply it per the manufacturer’s directions and allow it to sit on the marble for... Read More

I would call the contractor, but it may not be necessary to replace the panels. These dark circles may be the result of moisture bleeding from the setting mortar. It is common for panels to be installed by spotting the backs of the panels with... Read More

Q. Refacing a fireplace with 30cm slate tiles. What is the best adhesive to use (only about 25 pieces of tile involved so don't want to have to purchase a 50lb. bag of anything)? Would a premix mastic work? Will I need to provide support for the... Read More

Q. How do I remove melted wax rings from candles on a Bluestone outside fireplace mantle?   A. Bluestone is porous, so the candle wax has made its way into the pores of the stone. This will need to be removed first, and then if any staining has been... Read More