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. When we had our new slate hearth put in a few years ago we also had our living room plastered the following day. The plasterer did not put any protective dust sheets down which resulted in our beautiful new hearth being stained with plaster... 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. The house was built in 1975, the entry and hall is the multi-color stone/slate typical of the 1970'sThere are faded red, dark gray, green-gray and light gray random shapes all with 90 degree corners.Can this floor be changed to a single gray... Read More

Q: I just purchased an extremely light colored travertine slate for my front room, but would like a richer, darker color for the slate. Since it has not yet been sealed, can the slate be "colored" or "stained" before it is installed?A: Are you... Read More

Recommended Coating for Slate Floors Coatings on slate floors can enhance the appearance of the slate, inhibit staining on the surface of the stone, and lighten the load a little when it comes to maintenance. However, the wrong type of coating on... Read More

Q. My pickling vinegar bottle (7 percent acidic) leaked on my flagstone (limestone?) floor. I made a paste of baking soda and applied after washing the floor with Marbalex stone floor cleaner. I let the paste sit for the afternoon to no avail. I... Read More

No, slate does not polish very well. The only way to put any kind of shine on slate is to apply a coating. There are several brands of acrylic coatings designed for slate and other stone. Check with your local janitorial supply or one of the stone... Read More

It sounds as though your slate floor has a rough finish which catches the fibers of the mop as it is dragged across the floor. First, you need to deep-clean the floor to remove all dirt and grime. Next, apply a good-quality acrylic sealer. Several... Read More

The white deposits are salts, which are bleeding through from the grout joints or from the mortar. An acid wash will be required to remove the salts. If the deposits are heavy, try scraping them off before washing the slate with acid. Several acid... Read More