Q. Our house was built in 1967 and has black slate flooring inside and on the porch and terrace. We've had some restoration work done, but we're not happy with how it looks. Even after sealing, it doesn't have the polished or wet look... Read More

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 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. What is the best way to remove a blue stain on flagstone caused by plant fertilizer? It is several days old. The flagstone is an outside border on a raised planter bed. A. Blue fertilizer stains can be challenging on flagstone, especially outdoors... Read More

Q. I am a project manager for an insurance company. I have a project at a post office that has terrazzo floors. It looks like there are long cracks that I assume follow a stress crack in the concrete below. I need to give the customer an idea what it... Read More

Q. After making homemade bath bar soap (consisting of tallow, coconut oil, palm oil, and lye), upon removal from the forms, we placed the soap blocks on wax paper and set it on our quartz counter tops. After being gone for a few days, we returned to... 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. 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. I recently moved into a home built in 1980 that has travertine tiles in all of the common rooms of the house including the bathrooms. It is a beautiful stone, but I personally hate it. It is just too much beige, and I also feel it dates the home.... Read More