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ADVICE WANTED!   March 09, 2004
www.findstone.com   info@findstone.com

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Q 6447: Hi... I was reading your tips and saw that you offer a maintenance guide for natural residential stone (we're about to purchase and install a granite countertop for our kitchen and island...and are putting marble in our shower stall.Would love to have your helpful guide! Thanks!Jana, March 09, Reply
R1: Dear Jana Reid: My maintenance guidelines are very important, but the most important part of maintenance begins before you decide which stone to and which contractor to use! Along with my maintenance guidelines you should consider getting my article on how to shop for a granite countertop! The article you're looking for, as well as all our other titles are available in pay-per-download format in the "Educational Literature" I want to take the opportunity to let you know that all our own pay-per-download articles are available for FREE to our established customers. Should you decide to give our fine specialty products a try by buying some through our secured online retail store for a minimum value of $49.00 (before S. & H. charges) for each article, you will be entitled to a full refund of the cost of the literature you purchased just for the asking! Moreover, you could also ask for any other title, FREE of charge, through the CONTACT US section of our site, by citing: PROMOTION 626 and the date of your order! Please, pay a visit to the CONSUMER PRODUCTS section of our Sincerely, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6446: I recently installed a 4' x 9' black slab (very tight matrix and quite dark) on the hearth of an special fire feature that will sit on top of the granite. When I look across the slab under certain light conditions, there are dark and light lines that are across the entire width of the slab and travel the entire length. They repeat about every 1.25". Do you know what they are? Also, black paste shoe polish has been suggested as a method of removing the lines. Do you have any sense of the long term affects of the black polish, especially when heat is present? The quarry rep said he had never seen such lines. March 09, Reply
R1: Dear: The quarry rep said he had never seen such lines. Neither did I! Black shoe polish, huh?! … Wow, that sounds like a “winner” to me!! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6445: I had new granite installed in my vacation condominium last year. This is a second home and had not been used for several months (but with the heat left on). When I visited this past weekend I was horrified to find a new stain on the granite (beige - Jacaranda). I had left a new spice turnstile on the counter which had a rubber bottom. Apparently whether the ocean moisture or the heat 'cooked' the rubber enough so that a circular blue stain was left. I had paid the installer to seal the granite (which I'm now guessing was NOT done). Can you give me the best advice on how to remove the stain and what I would need to do to truly seal the granite to avoid this for the future? Thank you! Patty, March 09, Reply
R1: Dear Patty Sue Williams: A stain like that would have happened even if the stone had been sealed properly. Chances to take it out? I honestly don't know, but I would give it a shot as if it were an organic stain first. If that won't work, I would then try something else. When it comes to stain removal, either you buy one of those expensive "Professional kits" (that no trueprofessional ever uses!) at a stone retailer near you, or you can spend less money and get my comprehensive guidelines on how to remove stains by using inexpensive and far more effective means that you may already have in your household! Such impressive piece of literature will also tell you how to tell stains apart from "stains", and what to do about the latter! It does carry a small price tag, and you can order itthrough our EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE . If the treatment for an organic stain won't work, gimme a shout and I'lltell you what else to do. You're in direct contact with me now! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6444: Within the next week my husband and I must choose a granite for our kitchen counter. We have a family and children are often in our kitchen and so we
want a counter that is: 1) extremely resistant to staining - if we did not have to treat it, that would be great. 2) extremely unlikely to chip, scratch, or crack. I have been studying your excellent article - The World's Most Popular Granites. I have learned a lot from it, but because I am not a scientist, I still have questions.

From your article, I learned that I should choose a dark granite. I can use the table to look at water absorption. But here are my questions:

1) It seems that I should choose magmatic and not metamorphic - is that correct?
2) Using your table of Quartz x Phagioclase, is the row with Quartz (0 - 5%) better than those with more quartz? Are there particular categories that arebetter, for example, Syenite - larvikite.
3) I don't see Peacock Green in your table - that is one of our favorites. Are you considering it to be a larger grained ubatuba? Does the larger grain
size mean that Peacock Green is more likely to chip or break? What do you think of it for our purposes?
4) We don't want pure black. Other granites we have considered are Emerald Pearl, Blue Pearl, and Dakota Mahogany. How would these be, according to our
criteria?
5) Can you suggest any other granites that would be extremely unlikely to stain and extremely unlikely to chip, crack or break? I would greatly appreciate any advice you could give. I see that you are a professor and so I know you must be very busy.
I only discovered the Findstone website and your excellent article several days ago. I am rather horrified to think that my husband and I were about to make a big purchase based on aesthetics alone, with little real, practical knowledge.Thank you in advance for any advice you can give us, and also for your excellent article. Sincerely, Maria, March 08, Reply

Q 6443: We are going to have our granite counters installed in a couple of weeks. My husband and I are arguing about whether to paint/paper backsplashes now or after the counters are installed. He tells me that the top of the 4" backsplash will be caulked thus leaving an uneven edge to run paint or paper against. He says we'll have to dig out any caulk to paper or paint. I can't believe this. You mean every time that I want to change paper or paint I've got to dig out caulk and then re-do it? HELP!!! Denise, March 08, Reply
Q 6442: We recently had tropic brown granite tiles put on our kitchen countertops. Installer did a nice job. However we have a triple cast iron sink(Kohler) and when it was reset on he countertop, plumber's putty was used. We now have a dark ring(oily looking) around the sink. It is about 1/2 inch wide. I now know plumber's putty is a no no, but too late for that. I would be interested in your advice on what type of poultice or stain remover I may try. If there ia a charge, let me know. I have not sealed the counter yet for two reasons - we are putting a wood trim and carpenter is not done with it yet and also I am not real sure what to seal it with. Thanks, Gail, March 08, Reply
R1: Dear Gail Greenwood: Fierst you have to remove the sink and plumber's putty. Second you have
to treat the stain by poulticing it out with a pain stripper based on Methylene Chloride. About how to properly make a poultice, when it comes to stain removal, either you buy one of those expensive "Professional kits" (that no true professional ever uses!) at a stone retailer near
you, or you can spend less money and get my comprehensive guidelines on how to remove stains by using inexpensive and far more effective means that you may already have in your household! Such impressive piece of literature will also tell you how to tell stains apart from "stains",
and what to do about the latter! It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it through our EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6441: I have all new marble tabletops in my living room. Glass rings have developed from what I think was hot coffee cups, even though we used coasters (cork coasters). Please advise how I can remove them myself. I am very handy I just need your superior knowledge! Thanks and I will not ever put another cup on there again. Alex, March 08, Reply
R1: Dear Alex: Yes, indeed: I have a product, namely MB-11 that will do the trick for you! Actually, we have a special “marble repair kit” (which includes MB-11) that’s currently on sale! No, there’s no such a thing as a protectant to prevent those kinds of damages. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6440: I am looking for a remedy to take away cigerette burn marks off a marble table top. The top is white. Is there a cure? Thanks, Lynne, March 08, Reply
R1: Dear Lynne:Not a DIY project, I’m afraid. You can try with 30/40 volume Hydrogen Peroxide (available at you beauty salon), but I dout that you will get a complete result. A bona fide stone restoration contractor may be your best bet.Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6439: We have a new travertine floor and I have tried to clean some small spots of urine off, but it appears to be etched. Nothing will remove the stains, and I am concerned that the floor will have to be polished. Since this is a new home (2 months old) I am worried that I will have an ongoing problem with acidic liquids. Is there something I can seal the floor with so that a problem like this can be cleaned up without leaving spots? March 08, Reply
R1: Dear Molly: Are you sure that your "stains" were made by urine and not, say toilet-bowl cleaner? Urine is slightly acidic (ureic acid) and it takes some doing to etch travertine. Toilet-bowl cleaners are marble-killers! Regardless: A) whatever the reason you have to have your stone re-polished. And, B), there's nothing that you can apply to it to prevent etching. The good news is that if they are really urine "stains" we have a product, MB-11 that will take care of them. If they are toilet-bowl "stains" instead, they're typically too severe for our product to repair them.If you need additional assistance, you're in direct contact with me now! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6438: I'm a researcher for the Index (Washington) Historical Society's Exhibitions Committee. For the 2004 season - Memorial Day thru September - this year's exhibit theme at the Pickett Museum will center around a company that was very important and essential to our town back at the turn of the last century, the Western Granite Works quarry, started in 1904 here in Index by John Soderberg, who also founded Swedish hospital in Seattle, WA.In this endeavor we would like to educate our visitors on the importance that building in stone had to the advancement and progress of the Pacific Coast states - usually this importance was emphasized strongly to citizens when a wood- framed town burned to the ground, as Seattle did in 1889.
Most importantly in my research, I am trying to locate tables and graphs (hopefully with pictures) regarding anything to do with quarrying, and building stone names, similar properties and differences, and small sample blocks to use in a "Visitor's Quiz". Any assistance you might be able to give in this regard would be most appreciated. Kate,
March 04, Reply
Q 6437: We are in the process of building a home and are trying to decide on kitchen countertops. We had selected Cambria and then heard (from a Granite dealer) that people are starting to remove their Cambria because they aren't satisfied. We could not locate the 'rocking the boat link' to see if there was any pertinent information on the pros and cons of Cambria vs Granite. Any input/opinions would be appreciated. Ruth, March 04, Reply
R1: Dear Ruth: I have no idea if your granite dealer is telling the truth, and, if so, upon what grounds he bases his statement, but it sounds mighty biased to me! :-)
That said, I personally like natural stone much better than engineered one. The problem with granite is the scary ignorance (which inevitably leads to “surprises”) surrounding it displayed by all too many operators. However, if you get the right “intelligence” about it, nothing beats a granite countertop!! I did write a very comprehensive article on “How to Shop for a Granite Kitchen Countertop” that will give you all the intelligence you need to venture yourself with confidence in the stone industry jungle! Maurizio Bertoli
Q 6436: I am looking for information on reinstalling a tiffany marble shower base (a stress crack occurred due to an unleveled substrate under the base). Since the base needs to be replaced do the walls have to be removed? What material should be used to set the base? Is a pan needed under the base in a second floor bathroom? What type of silicone should be used to seal the walls to the base? Any information or contact you could give me would begreatly appreciated, March 04, Reply
Q 6435: Does marble stay cooler than other floors, if so how much cooler than ambient temperature? I have heard that marble stays like 16 degrees F cooler than ambient temperature. Is this correct.? Sincerely, Charlie, March 04, Reply
R1: Dear Charlie: Unless your particular marble has some “mysterious magic properties”, it will be at room temperature all the time. It may feel cooler because it transmits heat, but that’s all there is to it. Maurizio, Expert Panelist
R2: Marble and most stones have a higher coefficient of heat transfer and so they seem cooler to the touch. burzin
Q 6434: We have a marble (or "marble") patio table that is experiencing some problems with pitting. Small bits have flaked out of it, leaving small holes. Is this really marble, and no matter what, do you have any suggestions? We live near Dallas, TX. Thanks, Norm, March 04, Reply
Q 6433: About a year ago, our contracter purchased and installed mexican terracotta tiles in our kitchen. subsequently white spots (calcium deposits?) broke thru on about 25% or more of the tiles, in some cases 5 or 6 withe spots on one tile. the floor looks terrible. our contractor says that this is normal for mexican terraacotta tiles. i can't believe that. what are your thoughts? my belief is that either the tiles were not sealed properly or inferior tiles were purchased by the contractor. do you have any suggestions as to how the situation can be corrected? (ncidently, we had terracotta tiles installed in another room over 20 years ago. no white spots ever appeared on those tiles.) i would appreciate any advice that you can give me. sincerely, melvin, March 04, Reply
Q 6432: I had a lot of sandstone "tiles" made for my outdoor pool deck for my new home. They came from Mexico, and I believe it is sandstone, but I didn't know that when I ordered it. The stone delivered was more porous than the sample, and it was very brittle. It had areas in it that looked like it was
made of petrified wood. When they picked up some of the pieces from the shipment crate, they broke. They installed the remaining tiles anyway. After installation, they power-washed them, which opened up more holes in the porous areas. Then they sealed them. Then they put a white-colored
grout on to fill in the gaps and the larger holes. When they put the grout on, they got "grout wash" all over almost all of the tiles. The residue from the grout looked like a whitewash. To remove it they washed the stones with muriatic acid. Then they power washed the tiles again. It looked awful.
While we were trying to figure out how to deal with this, some big brownish areas stated forming. The stone dealer said it is "efflorescence". He suggested wire brushing to remove the brown (I don't think it will work), then putting 3 coats of sealer on it. Meanwhile, there are lots of voids in
the stone that seem to be enlarging, and I still have large "whitewashed" areas. Is this something you can help with, either in the way of advice, or is this something you do as a business? Thanks, Jim, March 04, Reply
R1: Dear Jim: After all that "amazing" treatment, is there actually any of that crappy stone left? Here's the solution of your problem: First: get a machine gun and kill both the dealer and the installer dead. Second: get some TNT and blow up the whole stupid floor.Third: live happily ever after. Nobody will ever file criminal charges against you. They should actually give you a medal for ridding the world from a couple of total idiots. :-) Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert panelist
Q 6431: I wish I would have known this before!! I also see a stain... like water probably? Or oil? Can it be taken out? I've only had it installed three days ago!! It's a popular color... Balck, light yellow, white and some brownish-maroon spots every now and then. I was told I should seal it.... should I ???Any help on this matter, I would grately appreciate it!! I am cluless and hate myself for it!! Should have read before!! Thank you. Ann, March 04, Reply
Q 6430: how do retailers of large pieces of stone ensure a safe environment for their workers and customers? March 04, Reply
Q 6429: Hi I have marble in my main living areas and I do not know what is the best way to clean it. Can I use vinegar with water? I also have saturnia marble in the master bath and know frow reading in your website how delicate it is to clean, please let me know if there is a specific product to clean it with. Currently I use water and a stone cleaner provided by the builder, but it does not seem to clean the floor, if I spill water and clean it with a paper towel it shows a ton of dirt, so it seems that it is not really getting clean. Please help me thanks Paola, March 04, Reply
R1: Dear Paola: Even by thinking of using water and vinegar you're going to damage your marble!! Vinegar is highly acidic (acetic acid), and you can't use anything acidic to clean marble! My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installations are available for a small fee (which could be refundable) on the EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE or you can go directly into the Consumer Products section and order some MB-1. Should you do that, I will send you my maintenance guidelines for free, just for the asking! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6428: Your site is great! I have some questions and would be grateful for your opinions:

(1) I got Amadeus granite slab countertops a couple of ago and don't actually know whether they were sealed or not. They are wearing well, though, even though I'm a tough cook and mess-maker. Should Amadeus granite be sealed? (Assuming it really is granite? ) It's apparently considered in the green category, but is really black and grey with a lot of movement, including magenta and white.

(2) We are just finishing right now a bathroom remodel with 12 by 12 Travertine Durango tiles on the shower surround and half way up the walls. According to you, this does not have to be sealed, right? If I don't have to I don't want to, b/c it's an extra expense and might alter the look of the natural stone.

(3) The same bath we put in a floor of Empadora Dark marble tiles 12 x 12. Should this be sealed?

(4) Some of the Travertine Durango tiles seem to have been filled in with something almost like cement or spackle. And not just little holes or something; sometimes it looks like they filled in several inches. Is this kosher? Sarah, March 04, Reply

R1: Dear Sarah: Allow me to make a "cute" comment. In my book, when I have a problem with something that I bought I go back to the people I gave my money to. If I use products to maintain that certain something and I see that I don't get anywhere, I go back to the people who make the products and I gave my money to. How does this sound to you so far? :-) I'm sure you did all that, and now you come here asking for help from somebody who ... made no money whatsoever out of you! :-) Besides, you don't really expect me to badmouth the competition (SCI), do you? :-) This is my "public" answer. Now, if you need additional assistance (yes, I do have ALL the answers to your questions and I'll be glad to help you out), get in touch with me Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6427: We recently had a Granite counter tops installed in a new house we are building. My wife found in the one piece of Granite that is on an island their are eight to ten small holes about 1/16 to 1/64 in size. She pointed them out to the installer because they were showing up as white spots because the sealer had not dried in those spots. She has became very upset. The installer used a torch and something that looked like a heavy wax that he melted on to a putty knife and tried to push into the holes.She asked if he was going to reseal it and he said it didn't need it.Is their any type of repair that will make it look ok. Is their something I can apply or are their repair people hoe specialize in this type of repair. March 04, Reply
Q 6426: If we have a flat marble tile fireplace wall, can we go over it w/ a different stone? March 04, Reply
Q 6425: Yesterday, I had black honed granite countertops installed. (And sealed.) Today, I read your web site--too late, I'm afraid. There is a white circle, probably caused by oil from a salad bowl, and numerous palm print (perhaps our son had just used hand lotion). At any rate, Maurizio has mentioned a color enhancer. Because a sealer has been applied, is it possible to have this removed and then have the color enhancer applied. Am I too late for this? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Betsey, March 03, Reply
R1: Dear Betsy: Yes, the impregnator/sealer MUST be removed for the color enhancer to work. There are two ways to go about it: Mechanically – which is the best way – by re-honing your countertop with a honing powder. Only a professional can do that. Chemically, by using a paint stripper based on Methylene Chloride (available at paint stores or home improvement centers). That is a highly toxic substance, and must be used with all kinds of precaution. To silver lining is that it will make you see beautiful colors! :-)
Have you fabricator remove the stupid thing that they should have never applied to begin with! After that, get my unrivaled Stone Color Enhancer (MB-6) along with a proper cleaning agent (MB-5) for routine cleaning. .All our products come with a 100% money back guarantee if not completely satisfied! Furthermore, once you’re an established customer, you can have any of the articles listed in our own Educational Literature library for FREE, just for the asking! (The offer does not extend to the NTC articles.)Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6424: I discovered that I left a pumpkin on our "Yellow River" countertop far too long and apparently the pumpkin was rotting from the bottom. As a result, I did not notice. After I cleaned and wiped it up with water and dried it, there is a darker round area, stained, which looks permanent. Is there anything that can be done? I believe "Yellow River" is granite. Thanks for any advise you can give. Sincerely Miriam, March 03, Reply
R1: Dear Miriam: When it comes to stain removal, either you buy one of those expensive “Professional kits (that no true professional ever uses!) at a stone retailer near you, or you can spend less money and get my comprehensive guidelines on how to remove stains by using inexpensive and far more effective means that you may already have in your household! Such impressive piece of literature will also tell you how to tell stains apart from “stains”, and what to do about the latter! It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it through our EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE Treat your stain as an organic stain. You’re in direct contact with me now! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6423: I tried your lemon test on my newly (3 days) installed granite. I got no stain after 20 minutes!! :-) You would think I'm happy.... But ... No.... I do have two stains... (they look like a water satin on a wood table, except these are dark) What are they? If lemon did nothing!!! What can this be??? This granite is Yellow, white, Black and some spots of a brown - redish color. Seems like a very popular color ... at least in this neck of the woods. What can I do? I know the people that installed it Did not "seal" it with anything. They also said, I could just clean it with any commercial countertop cleaner!! Not true right? Please give me some advice!! Thank you. Ann, March 03, Reply
R1: Dear Ann: To find out what kind of stains you have you’re gonna have to help me out a little bit.
Spill some water in different spots of the countertop and let it sit for 5 minutes or so. Wipe it dry and observe if the spots under which the water have been sitting has become noticeable darker. Ask you fabricator if that slab was resined by the factory. Where the stains you’re talking about there all the time, or did they develop later on. If the latter is true, what could have caused them? Cooking oil? coffee?...
Try to describe to me a little better what your stains look like. (I have no idea how a water stain on a wood table looks like.) You’re in direct contact with me now! And BTW, you’re right, you do NOT want to use a generic cleaner on your natural stone countertop! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6422: We recently had granite countertops installed in our kitchen but I can't seem to find any reference to the stone we picked. Do you have any information on the properties of "Verde Tropical G" as I was told it was granite I want to make sure that I use the proper maintenance regimen. Regards, Shaun, March 03, Reply
R1: Dear Shaun: Verde Tropical is a stone coming from Brazil. Is classified as a gneiss, but I'm not too sure about that. Whether it needs to be sealed or not is borderline: it depends on the particular batch of slabs. As for routine care, my maintenance guidelines for residential stone installations are available for a small fee (which could be refundable) on the EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE . Or you can go directly into the Consumer Products section and order some MB-5 and, optionally, some MB-13. Should you do that, I will send you my maintenance guidelines for free, just for the asking! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6421: I'm considering black marinachi with a honed surface for kitchen counters. (Remodeling a log house - don't want too "refined" a look.) The fabricator buys polished granite and hones it; tells me it will need sealing more frequently than once a year. Will a honed surface mark up more than a polished one? How satisfied have people been with honed surfaces? What do you think of my choice? What about Jet Mist (Virginia) honed or polished? It seems very porous to me. Thanks in advance! -Sue, March 03, Reply
R1: Dear Sue: What kind of a lousy impregnator/sealer does you fabricator use that has to be applied once a year? And since when does black granite need to be sealed to begin with? All stone related internet forums are soaked with the tears of people who had their black granite countertop sealed and now they’re facing all sorts of “weird problems” their fabricators don’t have a clue about? (Of course they don’t: they created those problems to being with!) And what about honed black granite? Haven’t we learned yet that to make honed black granite almost manageable you have to apply a stone color enhancer to it, and that you can’t do that if you apply an impregnator/sealer? Is there anything else that your fabricator doesn’t know? Let me guess: they told you to clean your countertop with water and dish soap! Or is it a glass cleaner?! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6420: I am a 49 year old professional whom has only recently found my niche in the “stone” business. I would appreciate any advice as to how I should proceed with my education. I do not have an order of importance, i.e. what is the most important knowledge versus what is less important when trying to sell, treat clients with honesty and converse professionally with others in the industry. Thank you for your time and I look forward towards your reply. Respectfully, Benjamin, March 03, Reply
R1: Dear Benjamin: When it comes to education I can help you a great deal! Our corporate motto is: Education before any sale! And we do mean it! Now the question is: what is exactly that you want to do? Are you planning to start a business selling stone? Let me know. You’re in direct with me, now. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6419: I have a natural black granite counter top. Sine 2 months I have 4 whiute stains roughly 2 inches in diameter. I have used paultice 'il mangia macchia' 3 times and the stains are still there. What Can I do to clean the stains, and then what can I do to prevent it. I appreciate your advice. March 03, Reply
R1: Dear Kamran:
I do believe that I have the solution of your problem. However, before I come up with a diagnosis, I need you to answer the flowing questions:
1. How white are your stains?
2. Was your countertop sealed with an impregnator?
3. Exactly which black granite do you have?
Let me know. You’re in direct contact with me now! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist

Q 6418: I would like to have Turkish travertine installed in my kitchen, entry, tv room and bath. How do I go about finding the right person to do the job. I live in southern Ca and have concrete floors. I've been pulling up the current tiles, underneath is some kind of gray adheasive. Does that need to come off, before the floor is installed. I would like to have it butt jointed, does it have to be installed with the mudd method, or is there another way. Thanks, CB, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Clelia: You do NOT want a butt-joint installation! 1/16” grout gap is the requirement for a good installation. For all the rest, I can’t help you. You’re gonna have to rely on the reputation of a good contractor. I don’t know anybody in Southern California. Now, remember, it’s never too early to think about the proper maintenance of your stone. It’s a subject that’s all too often neglected and, as you can tell by reading many of this site postings, you’re not likely to get good information about it from your dealer or installer. Don’t become another statistic! My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installation are available for a small fee (that could be refunded to you) in the “Educational Literature”You’re in direct contact with me now. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6417: I just moved into a home that has an outdoor slate patio. The former owner sealed it with god knows what. It is now dark gray and dingy. Is there a special way to remove the old and what would you recomend to seal it to keep it looking colorful and clear. Thank you in advance, Joe, March 02, Reply
Q 6416: Please provide technical information on slate from Southern India. Density, compression tests, breaking loads, wear by attrition etc, March 02, Reply
Q 6415: Can a limestone fireplace be removed and reset, without being damaged, in order to repair damaged wall that is behind it? March 02, Reply
Q 6414: I live in south Florida and intend to redo my pool patio. Right now it is poured concrete that overhangs the pool. It is three inches thick and full of unsightly deco drains. I want to remove the entire deck and put in natural stone such as shell stone. Can I lay this on compacted sand? Or do I need to lay it in cement? Bill, March 02, Reply
Q 6413: I'm Italian living in Usa and I am about to update the kitchen in a house I just bought. I grew up with marble as counter tops in my house in Italy. (600 years old marble in kitchen) So I'm not sure why people don't use it here or why contractors tell me not to use it. (some Americans only want shiny surface but I don't care) Can you recommend some sellers of marble- or should I get some slabs in Carrara (my family from there), ship it myself and have someone install it here. ? How would I do this, taxes etc? Also, is it cheaper to get it from lapidiary makers (for cemeteries? Thank you- Silvia. Also, what type of white marble do you recommend, March 02, Reply
Q 6412: I had just installed a totally black granite on my kitchen countertop. The countertop based on the lemon juice test, does not need a sealer because it does not absorb the lemon juice. Now the installer, to make it shine even better, put some rubbing compound on top of it. Yes, it looks good at first but then in the kitchen sink area where it is frequently wiped, the rubbing compound slowly faded in that area making it not uniform. I think the installer was wrong in putting the rubbing compound in the first place. How do I remove the rubbing compound? Do I need to put anything on top of it to make it shine even better? Thanks for any advice you may give. Judy, March 02, Reply
Q 6411: I have limestone front porch steps. The top part of the steps has interlocking limestone. The mortor/concrete is deteriorating. Would you recommend patching the concrete or rebuilding the steps? Why? I'm being quoted $400-500 to patch and thousands to rebuild. I'd like to try to patch it myself but I don't know what to do.March 02, Reply
Q 6410: I have some ROVER stone VERDE ALPI 300x600 conglomerate (reconstituted) green MARBLE tiles I am planning to use in a bathroom. Will they need to be treated as REAL green marble or can I use regular tile adhesive. Ive asked a lot of people and no one really knows, pleeeeease help. David. SYD AUSTRALIA. March 02, Reply
R1: Dear David from Down Under: Nobody could give you a final answer to that, because different makes can be different from one another. But why do you want to worry about it? Just stay on the safe side and use white thin set! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6409: Heard that Lava stones are used in Sauna Bath, Why so? March 02, Reply
Q 6408: After a barbecue last night we noticed grease stains under the barbecue on our acid washed patio. How could we remove those stains? Is there a certain product you recommend? Any advice would be appreciated. Heather, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Heather: It shouldn’t be a problem removing those stains. When it comes to stain removal, either you buy one of those expensive “Professional kits” (that no true professional ever uses!) at a stone retailer near you, or you can spend less money and get my comprehensive guidelines on how to remove stains by using inexpensive and far more effective means that you may already have in your household! Such impressive piece of literature will also tell you how to tell stains apart from “stains”, and what to do about the latter! It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it through our EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE After that, I would like to urge you to apply a good-quality stone impregnator/sealer like our MB-4 to help avoiding further staining! It’s one of the best oil-repellent impregnators on the market today! My specialty products are available at our secured online store: CONSUMER PRODUCTS All our products come with a 100% money back guarantee if not completely satisfied! Furthermore, once you’re an established customer, you can have any of the articles listed in our own Educational Literature library for FREE, just for the asking! (The offer does not extend to the NTC articles.)Ciao and good luck,Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6407: I JUST 3 DAYS AGO HAD A HONED BLACK GRANITE COUNTERTOP INSTALLED IN MY KITCHEN. I TOLD THEM THAT I WANTED A COLOR ENHANCER PUT ON THE SLAB TO MAKE IT AS BLACK AS POSSIBLE. I NOW FIND OUT THAT THEY ONLY PUT ON AN IMPREGNATOR AND WHEN I TRIED TO PUT A COLOR ENHANCER ON TOP OF IT, IT LOOKED VERY STREAKY-AWFUL---WHAT SHOULD I DO??? DO I STRIP THE IMPREGNATOR OFF AND THEN JUST APPLY A COLOR ENHANCER???? I WANT THE COUNTER AS BLACK AS POSSIBLE. WHAT COLOR ENHANCER PRODUCTS DO YOU RECOMMEND? I HAVE ALREADY PAID THE FULL AMOUNT TO THE SUPPLIER/INSTALLER. THANKS. LINDA, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Linda: Ouch!! Yes, you’re gonna have to strip the impregnator before applying the color enhancer. Since you won’t be able to do it mechanically (it involves special equipment and professional grade honing-powder), which would be the best way to do it, you will have to strip it chemically. It’s a nasty proposition because it involves the use of paint stripper based on a toxic solvent, namely Methylene Chloride, and probably more than one attempt. Open all the windows, wear an appropriate respiratory device, and follow every precautionary direction printed on the can. It’s a shame that you have to do that yourself. If I were you I would give your fabricator a call and ask them – as nicely as you know how – to fix the problem they have created. One the best color enhancer on the market is my MB-6, and I’m not bragging: it’s the truth. (Below find a recent testimonial from one of our satisfied customers.) My specialty products are available at our secured online store: CONSUMER PRODUCTS , All our products come with a 100% money back guarantee if not completely satisfied! Furthermore, once you’re an established customer, you can have any of the articles listed in our own Educational Literature library for FREE, just for the asking! (The offer does not extend to the NTC articles.) Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6406: I am installing absolute black granite slabs in my kitchen next week. For the backsplashes, I will be installing a tumbled marble which I am worried about . The looks of both materials are perfect but I need a good sealer. How can i GET ESTER-EPOXY SEALER? Do you see any problems with the using the marble or granite as outlined above? March 02, Reply
R1: Dear L. Baker: I don't see any problems with your outline for the use of your stones.We don't make and Ester Epoxy Resin impregnator/sealer any longer. Tothe best of my knowledge, there was just another company making such type of impregnator, and they stopped making it themselves, since the maker of the resin discontinued its production due to lack of demand.
Besides, the latest generation of impregnators, based on Fluoro Alphatic resins are to be considered better than Ester. They're water-carried (opposed to solvent-carried) and are much easier to apply, too! Under the circumstance, I would like to take the liberty to have you
consider purchasing one of my two granite countertop care kits. They have everything you need in one package and they're currently on sale! All our products come with a 100% money back guarantee if not completely satisfied! Furthermore, once you're an established customer, you can have any of the articles listed in our own Educational Literature
library for FREE, just for the asking! (The offer does not extend to the NTC articles.)
Q 6405: I just instaled a granite countertop in my kitchen and hours later it had turn dark spots like water spot or wet looking. I used a wonder board on top of my counter then used adhesive( natural stone & marble adhesive ) to lay it. Can you tell me why this is looking like this and what should I do.thanks, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Brenda: I must assume that you installed granite tiles on your countertop, right? That darkening should lighten up as soon as the setting material finishes curing. Once you get your stone back to its original color, it will be the perfect time to seal it with a good-quality stone impregnator sealer, like my MB-4. I would like to take the liberty to urge to purchase one of my two kits for the proper care of a granite countertop. In there you will find the impregnator and the best routine maintenance products under the sun! They’re both on special sale, too! All our products come with a 100% money back guarantee if not completely satisfied! Furthermore, once you’re an established customer, you can have any of the articles listed in our own Educational Literature library for FREE, just for the asking! (The offer does not extend to the NTC articles.) Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6404: What type of glue would you recommend to repair a soapstone carving? Thank you, March 02, Reply
Q 6403: Hello, I wish I had found this site much earlier, but hopefully its not too late. I am in the process of purchasing a granite counter top. I have already paid for a selection through a national chain of home improvement stores.
I had chosen Santa Cecelia Gold, but after browsing this site I am not sure it is the stone for me. I still have time to change since they haven't made the templates yet, as we are installing a new hardwood floor which requires our cabinets to be removed. I am looking for a stone which requires the least amount of maintenance and is resistive to stains and discoloration's. I think I have ruled out the Santa Cecelia Gold, and Sapphire brown (which by the way my husband stained with some sort of oil), but I am considering Autumn brown, Tropic brown, Imperial Red, Cranberry brown, Coffee Brown, Autumn Wheat, Dakota Mahogany or Poconos Green. Which of these are the least absorbent and are true granites? I am not concerned about quick clean ups by myself, but since my husband is retired and enjoys cooking while I am at work, and very seldom cleans the counter after he is done, I have a real concern about stains. Any quick answers will be appreciated. Thank You. Linda,
March 02, Reply
Q 6402: We are in the process of remodeling our kitchen and we are trying to decide between mahogany cabinets or white cabinets. What granite would you recommend for either. Thank you very much for your help! Pepper, March 02, Reply
Q 6401: We recently purchased juperana gold (Granite) or our counter tops and backsplash. We have noticed that the stone stains very easily. Help 1, Debbie, March 02, Reply
Q 6400: I have just had a granite countertop installed in my kitchen. It is Santa Cecelia and the installer tells me it is sealed. I have not had any problems but I don’t cook much. Is there anything I need to be particularly cautious of, for example, setting a hot pan on the granite. Also, what should I clean the granite with? Thank you so much in advance for your response. Michele, March 02, Reply
Q 6399: What is the best granite to use in an island cooktop, where grease is a definite factor? Gloria (Hazel , March 02, Reply
Q 6398: Looking for any information on the strength and general and long term care needed for granite countertops. What pproducts can be used and what is not recommended. Need to know what is acceptable for everyday use as well, I have young child and need to know what type of germ killing products can be used as far as food goes etc.. thanks Holly My granite is Violetta which I believe is from Saudi Arabia, March 02, Reply
R1: My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installations are available for a small fee (which could be refundable) on the EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE. Or you can go directly into the “Consumer Products” section and order the Countertop Kit 2: it’s on special right now! Should you do that, I will send you my maintenance guidelines for free, just for the asking! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6397: My designer recommends white statuary cararra marble for my kitchen counter tops. I have several questions.
1. Is is better to have it polished and accept it will get etched from lemon, etc. or would it better to have it honed and sealed? If honed is best, how many times should the installer seal the marble when it is installed? What type of sealer should I request.
2. Are there specific carrarra marbles that oxidize and yellow more than others? How do I determine this?
3. The installers have recommended installing the white marble on top of plywood that is fastened with metal bolts in some places. Does there need to be a protective white layer between the marble and the plywood? Is it possible that the plywood could stain the marble from the bottom up? What about the metal bolts, could they cause the marble to yellow?
4. What is the best way to prevent water spots? Is it a given that water spots will occur around the sink area just from constant use?
5. Can hot pots/pans be set directly on marble?
6. What is the best way to care for a cararra marble counter on a daily basis?
7. Are there any granites that are light and have movement but that are better choices for a kitchen? We live in Southern California - Do you have any supplier recommendations?
8. Is Vermont or Brazillian slate a good choice for kitchen counters? Does it scratch/stain easily? Can it be repaired.
Thank you in advance for your rapid response. We have cabinets installed but no counters because I can not make a decision. Thanks for your help. Julia,
March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Julia: Most of your main concerns are legit! But there are just too many questions to be answered on the board. You’re in direct contact with me now. I will be glad to answer all of your questions for the small consultation fee that you will find in the “Educational Literature” Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6396: I am a new Interior Design student and I have a lot of questions concerning proper sealing and bonding for various types of stones. I have a Geology degree, so I know the difference and properties of various stones used for construction. But I have to say I went the paleontological way of geology and I don't remember learning about sealing, bonding and finishes for stone installation. (Of course, it's been over 14 years since I graduated college) Where do I begin? Does a text book exist? Does the industry provide unviersal standards? Where do I look? Would a visit to the nearest stone supplier be a start? Stacy, March 02, Reply
Q 6395: Hi, My name is Octavio I'm a Union tilesetter,I just remodeled my kitchen cabinets and counter tops..I installed 12''x12'' Blue pearl granite ..i did a design with absolute black , slab was a little too expensive for me. I installed the tile and it looks beutifull. i then sealed it with some stuff that i got from hard rock tools it's called "Stone Pro". well it's been about 9 months and i noticed that around the sink (field tile) there are little brown marks in the cracks(blue pearl isn't as smooth as absolute it has little cracks in it). I don't know why this is happening i triped into your site and read all the posts and found it to be very uselfull..i quickly ran to the garage and did a the lemon test and it past.. but my question is how did the cracks turn brown? and what can i do to keep that from spreading.?I would appreciate any advice that you can ginve me. I can float a wall and set the stone and set it so flat that you can see your reflection on it but i don't know how to take care of the crap so your ex[ertose in maitenance will be very usefull thank you for your time...Octavio, March 02, Reply
Q 6394: I am looking for some input on profiling 2cm Bulgarian Limestone. It looks honed, and was ordered in 3' x 3' slabs. The designer is requesting some of this material be profiled into crown molding, casement, baseboard, wainscoat trim, for a powder room. Also wrapping a stairwell, using this material on stringers, tread and risers. Is profiling feasible considering it's thickness? ('thinness')? Will the 'dupont' profiling tend to break off? (1/4" edge left) Please advise. Thanks! March 02, Reply
Q 6393: I recently put marble flooring all over my house including the bathroom and kitchen. i accidently dropped and broke a bottle of vinegar that then stained aggressively, it was a big stain. the shine has disappeared which makes the color tone look dead on the marble, another way of saying it is that it's just plain ugly. i need to know what the best thing would be to remedy this unfortunate problem. thank you for your time. March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Jimmy: And, if I may ask, who was the “genius” who decided to put polished marble in a kitchen? :-)What you have is not a stain at all: it’s rater a mark of corrosion that the acidity of the vinegar (acetic acid) produced on the surface of the stone. It’s also called: acid etching. Just about everything you can think of and that you will spill on your kitchen floor will do that to your marble. Any solution? Yes, two actually (ain’t life wonderful? Most of the times you have more than one option!): A) every time you spill something on your floor you hire a professional stone refinisher who will provide to resurface your marble by honing and polishing it. B) You rip out the whole stupid thing and install something more practical instead. Too bad I can’t try to sell you my maintenance guidelines or any of my products because they couldn’t do anything about helping you out. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6392: I have several slate chalkboards. I appears that no one sells these anymore. Do you have any oil(s) that can be applied to this surface to keep it from drying out, but will still let it hold chalk? I would really appreciate any help you could offer me. josh, March 02, Reply
Q 6391: I like to know which is most suitable for residential flooring, travertine or polish marble? I have travertine floor in my house now. I find it to be too porous and flakes off. I like the polish look of marble but wanted to know if it is high maintenance as floor? You reply will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Clara, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Clara: Travertine is not porous at all. If it flakes there’s got to be some serious issue which can’t be evaluated without a physical inspection. Travertine and marble a pretty much the same, maintenance-wise. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio Expert Panelist
Q 6390: My limestone is relatively "soft." It has a dull and irregular sheen with some parts shiny and others dull. There are shiny portions on the stone around some of the grout seams also so I thought the installers may not have cleaned it properly before sealing. I was told to re-hone and seal it but I would like to try a polish or other simpler and less expensive possibility first. can you suggest something? Well, I wish had seen your website before installing limestone. I probably would have gone with the honed marble! Jerry, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Jerry: No panacea on a bottle (mine or anybody else’s) will even come close to solving your problem. Unfortunately there’s no way around it: you need to hire a professional stone refinisher to re-hone your floor using a good-quality honing powder. Honing with diamond pads may still gives you highs and lows in the finish, not mention swirl marks. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6389: WHAT PAINT OR WAX WOULD YOU USE TO COLOUR SLATE E.G. PAINT A DESIGN ON SLATE . RICHARD, March 02, Reply
Q 6388: Thanks for the nice granite website that you put together, and it is very informative. I have a question regarding the radiation of granite. Is there any US goverment regulation on the radiation limit of commercial-grade granite? For example, if I want to import some granite from other countries, do I have to meet a certain limit on its radiation level? Thank you very much for your advice! YY Huang, March 02, Reply
Q 6387: I would like more information regarding the MB-5 Cleaner. I recently installed Champagne black granite in my kitchen and have marks, steaks and what looks like it may be adhesive, on the counter that won't wash off with soap or water. It will rub off with vigorous rubbing with my finger, but I don't want to clean the whole counter this way. Is the MB-5 cleaner what I need to these off? Should I clean the ceramic tile backsplash with this as well? ...T, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Teresa: I already answered to your other posting. The additional information you're supplying makes me think than MB-5 will work, although you may have to use it several times before you can remove completely whatever it is that's sitting on your stone. Sure, using soap and water will make matters worse because of the accumulation of the soap film on the stone surface, but I still believe that there's more than just soap film on your countertop. While using MB-5 scrub with one of those silvery scrubbing pads available at your local supermarket. NEVER use brown or green scrubbing pads: they WILL scratch your stone! Yeah, why don't you send me a picture? You're in direct contact with me now. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6386: I recently installed slate on my fireplace wall which is 15feet high. I used a sealer that has a sheen but I realized I wanted a natural flat look. Im extremely concerned and dissapointed with it and would really like to bring it back to a natural look. I worked so hard on this and to now have a look that I dont want is very dissapointing. Would you be able to help. Please help, Daniel, March 02, Reply
Q 6385: Our company are import marble&granite and installation of stoneworks, We are so many years import,,but this time we are first time cheating,,,
Last two month ago,,,we go to Italy and checking marble(Bottichino Semi Classico) and sign all everythigs after we open L/C at sight about 2,500m2,,,cut to size,,, And after they send to us and we are clearance custom and after arrived our site,, and checking marble,,,but thye send to marble are all rubbish,,,
So,, i'm make decide,,return back to Italy,, But they are already LG,,,,,So,,i want to claim for that Italy company(They are has a quarry) Please let me know, How can i claim for them? I will wait for your advice, Thanks, Shim,
March 02, Reply
Q 6384: I recently suggested for a friend to use Travertine (the color is "Global Yellow"...) on the entry area of his restaurant; by the way, the front area where the TR is going to be installed is only 280/sf. That said, when I picked up the 28 boxes of Global Yellow TR tiles at a local tile and marble company, I noticed when I opened one of the boxes, that some of the tiles finishes were not "clean", it was rather dullish and had rough "darkish" spots here and there...does not look like the sample that I was given to show my friend. All in all, my concern is how do I properly seal this product from this moment on since my friend's contractor already installed the entire entry area with this product? The lady who sold me this said it was sealed already, BUT that I still NEEDED to seal it again...I had not a clue, nobody told me this before they sold me this product! Please help! Sincerely,b.pham, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear B. Pham: I never heard of this “Glabal Yellow” travertine.
From your description it appears to me that it was not properly polished in the factory.
What’s you idea of a “sealer?” If you’re making reference to a stone sealer (a.k.a. impregnator) A) polished travertine does not need to be sealed, and B) it will do nothing for the finish of the stone. Only a topical finish like my MB-8 in conjunction with its team-mate MB-10 could somehow improve the looks of the stone and offer a valid protection against foot traffic. Keep in mind, however, that’s an ongoing maintenance product and that maintaining polished travertine in an environment like that (the front area of a restaurant) is an up-hill battle. You’re right: you had not a clue. Which begs the question: why did you suggest your friend to use that material? Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6383: We are currently in the process of choosing a marble for our floor- living room, foyer, dining and family room. Since ours is a small family and we are pretty good at maintenance, heavy traffic shouldn't be a problem. We are having trouble deciding between crema marfil and perlato. The perlato that we like is called perlato 2B (I haven't heard of it before), the other alternatives available are perlato royal and perlato sicilia and we are equally happy with either one of them. Would you recommend crema marfil or perlato for our apartment floor? What are the drawbacks for either one of them? Thank you for your time. Anu, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Anu: There's no difference between Crema Marfil and the Perlato. 2B should indicate a lower grade. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio Bertoli
Q 6382: You certainly know your stone! We are considering installing Uba Tuba 12 X 12 tile on our kitchen counter top. From reading other questions on the website, it looks like this product will not require sealing and is a good choice for a counter top. I want to prevent the problems I read on the forum. Do you have any specific suggestions for me? Do you hate the idea of installing tile like so many fabricators seem to? We plan to use a silicone sealer as our "grout." I appreciate you sharing your experience! Kathy, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Kathy: Well, if it’s a budget consideration, there’s not much that can be said about it: there’s a huge difference in price between tiles and slabs, especially if you can handle the installation of the tiles yourself. No wonder why fabricators don’t like the whole idea! :-) If you grout with color-matching caulking you should be all right. Now, remember, it’s never too early to think about the proper maintenance of your stone. It’s a subject that’s all too often neglected and, as you can tell by reading many of this site postings, you’re not likely to get good information about it from your dealer or installer (when end-users tell me that they were advised to use water and dish soap, or regular glass-cleaner, my Italian blood reaches the boiling point at the speed of light!). Don’t become another statistic! My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installation are available for a small fee (that could be refunded to you) in the “Educational Literature” Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6381: My fiance & I are building a new home and thinking of installing travertine in our master bathroom and shower area. Is travertine as bad as it sounds? What other material do you recommend? Donielle, March 02, Reply
R1: Dear Donielle: And how bad does exactly travertine sound? The reason why I am asking is because for all I know travertine is not bad at all for applications like the ones you’re reporting! But then again, what do I know? :-) My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installations are available for a small fee (which could be refundable) on the EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE . Through them you will learn a lot about marble and travertine in a bathroom! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6380: Granite, Stone or Tile? My contractor suggested I put granite counters in my kitchen instead of tile & grout (for only a couple hundred $ more). This is my Condo Rental unit that I'm upgrading to increase rent in L.A. (am not selling). I need something both durable and low upkeep as I'm concerned tennants won't upkeep stone like I would in my home(e.g. sealing, coffee stains or cleaning agents). Please provide input - should I be using granite vs other stone, or should I just go ahead with tile? March 02, Reply
Q 6379: What is the lemon juice test that I see mentioned on this website Thanks, Renee, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Renee: Oh, come on now! You don’t know my little lemon juice test??! … You must be the last person left on earth not to know it!! :-) Just kidding! There’s a direct link to it on the sidebar menu of “Expert Advice” page of findstone.com. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6378: I was cleaning the sink at my mothers house, and it had bottles of face wash and such sitting on it. When I picked up two of them there were to perfectly round greenish blue stains, and nothing seems to remove them. They almost seem like a ring on a wooden coffee table that has set in. do you have any advice on how i can remove them, and if not do you know why this happened. sincerly, stained, March 01, Reply
R1: When it comes to stain removal, either you buy one of those expensive “Professional kits” (that no true professional ever uses!) at a stone retailer near you, or you can spend less money and get my comprehensive guidelines on how to remove stains by using inexpensive and far more effective means that you may already have in your household! Such impressive piece of literature will also tell you how to tell stains apart from “stains”, and what to do about the latter! It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it through our EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6377: We are considering slate for both the kitchen countertops and as flooring in the foyer. I understand that you do not like slate in the kitchen, but could you elaborate as to why? If slate is appropriate for the foyer, should it be sealed or not? I wasn't clear on this point from your posts, because there were also impregnators and Color Enhancers, so the whole thing was rather confusing to me. Apparently the whole issue seems to be linked to which area of the world you buy slate from, which was rather eye-opening. Maybe I should just stick to granite, which seems to be much less fussy. :-) Thank you in advance for your advice. I do appreciate it. Take care, Gary, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Gary: No matter where it comes from, slate scratches easy and nobody can fix those scratches. Slate etches, too, and nobody can fix those etches. As a matter of fact, I don't consider slate suitable in a foyer, either! Roof, black-board, pool table. End of story! Is that enough of an explanation for you? :-) Stick to granite! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6376: I have been reading some of the questions and answers and am afraid I am in trouble. My home is three years old and has limestone throughout. It also has in-floor radiant heat. It is beautiful but some of the stones, especially in the high traffic areas, have popped there fills. I have spoken with a local company and they do not fill outside of there place of business. They also said I should have sealed the high traffic areas three or four times. I know I can chisel out the stones and replace them but I am worried that it will also happen to the replacements. My contractor suggested I fill the holes with grout. That does not sound right. I do not know anything about a vapor barrier. They did paint on something over the light weight cement to prevent cracking. I also used the lime stone in the shower. While I am sealing should that have multiple coats sealed in the shower? Thank you for your time. Martha, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Martha: For what I can understand by reading your report, you don’t have limestone: you rather have travertine. Which is good. Having sealed it wouldn’t have prevented the popping of the filler one bit! Sealers for stone, a.k.a. impregnators, are below surface sealers, not topical as the word sealer may suggest. Filling the holes with sand less grout is the way to go. Get the modified type, mix it with latex additive even if the bag tells you to only use water, keep it a little bit on the thick side and push it inside the holes using a flexible putty knife, making sure to have it “mound” the holes. Don’t worry about the cleaning now (just sponge the worst in between the holes). The following day you will “shave” the grout flush with the stone surface using a razor blade, with which you will also remove every residue of grout off of the stone surface. Finish the cleaning up with a plastic (or silver) scrubber and some of my MB-5 spray stone cleaner. About the impregnating/sealing of your shower stall, if the travertine tiles are polished (shiny) do NOT seal them. If the are hone-finished instead (satin-finish) one application will do plenty (of course, you will be using my outlandish MB-4!!). Travertine, contrary to popular misconception is NOT a porous stone. All our products come with a 100% money back guarantee if not completely satisfied! Furthermore, once you’re an established customer, you can have any of the articles listed in our own Educational Literature library for FREE, just for the asking! (The offer does not extend to the NTC articles.) Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expoert Panelist
Q 6375: Could you tell me the difference between Italian Marble and Turkish Marble. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Barbara, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Barbara: I want to assume that you’re talking about the so called “Saturnia” stone, which is cross-cut travertine. If that the case, the difference between the Italian travertine and the Turkish one is that the former is quarried in Italy, while the latter is quarried in Turkey! Travertine is one of the most consistent stones all throughout the planet, because of the peculiar way it was formed. There’s no substantial difference between the inherent quality of the Italian travertine and the Turkish one. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6374: Your website is really a great resource. Thanks.My 6 month house remodel was down to the final task...tiling a fireplace hearth. We used 12" x 12" granite tiles called dark gold cashmere (they're really quite light, almost a yellow). My contractor used a gray adhesive...some kind of super bonding adhesive...I don't have the manufacturer off hand. Anyway, after about 3 hours the tile turned a darker color, almost a green. From my research it appears to be the mositure from the adhesive bleeding through. My questions are simply this....Is there a reasonable chance this will fade or should I cut my losses and tear it off and start over. If I tear it off, are the tiles worthless? If I leave them on in the hopes of it drying and fading is there a way to speed the process. Tim, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Tim: I've got bad news for you. If the setter used adhesive, it's terminal. He should have used white thinset. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio Bertoli, Expert Panelist
Q 6373: We are buying a new house and the builder has installed 'Baltic Brown' granite on our kitchen countertops. In two places, we noticed scratches - first scratch is about 1.5in. long and the depth of the scratch is less than 1/16 of an inch. The second scratch is about 0.5in long. We know that it was not damaged during installation.What can we request from the builder. Is it a scratch or nick that goes all the way down the the height of the granite counter. Will it damage the granite with oil seepage ? Can they do some fill-in with any material to seal it ? or do they have to replace it. pl. let me know. We are planning to close by next week thanks, Bk. March 01, Reply
R1: Dear K: Are you sure they are scratches and not natural fissures in the stone? To make sure I suggest you get hold of a bona fide stone restoration contractor and consult with them before reaching any conclusion. Now, remember, it's never too early to think about the proper maintenance of your stone. It's a subject that's all too often neglected and, as you can tell by reading many of this site postings, you're not likely to get good information about it from your dealer or installer (when end-users tell me that they were advised to use water and dish soap, or regular glass-cleaner, my Italian blood reaches the boiling point at the speed of light!). Don't become another statistic! My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installation are available for a small fee (that could be refunded to you) in the "Educational Literature" Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6372: Our house is now 27 years old and the marble (dull, not shiny kind) vanity tops in the bathrooms have gotten sort of 'gray' over the years and there are stains on them. Is there a solution to cleaning them as we are in the process of getting house ready to sell. Would like them to be 'spruced up' a little. Thank you, Millie, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Mildred: The only piece of advice I can give you is to get hold of a bona fide stone restoration contractor.“Sprucing it up?” … I don’t think so! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio Bertoli
Q 6371: I have purchased tumbled slate tiles for my bathroom floor. I would like installation advice on any prep work needed, type of cement, the type of grout, when to seal the tile and how many applications of sealer, March 01, Reply
Q 6370: I moved from Philly to Florida a few years ago. I'm putting in a Granite (New Venetian Gold) countertop and I have a few reservations about my potential contractor. He says he will "seal and wax" the countertop. What is waxing? I haven't been able to pin down a written guarantee. What should I exect as far as guaratees go? He says he will provide me a sampe of "my slab" but I haven't been able to arrange to see "my slab." Should I demand to see what the contractor will put in my home before I give him any money? I hope you have time to answer. You appear to be a glimmer of hope in a sea of misinformation.Thanks in advance from a future customer (if I have the guts to go though with the purchase.) Michael. March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Michael: You know what? I like your fabricator already! First off: I like the idea that he will be selecting the slab for you. I mean, admit it: how would you know to select a "good" slab? You may be able to select a "pretty" one, I grant you that, but "good"?... I highly doubt it! Second, he's going to seal and wax it at his shop. That's very good, too! If the sealing with an impregnator is done at the shop chances are that it will be done right and not in a hurry, and as many times as necessary. The waxing is a good procedure for that particular stone, because in many instances it has the tendency of losing some surface grit. Waxing will help a great deal preventing that. All in all, for the little report I've gotten from you, I feel that you're in good hands, but ... you never know! I did write a very comprehensive article on "How to Shop for a Granite Kitchen Countertop" that will give you all the intelligence you need to venture yourself with confidence in the stone industry jungle! It will also tell you in details why I don't consider the customer picking the slab as a smart practice. It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it by logging on the Educational Literature . It's available in pay-per- download format. What's more, should you in the future decide to give our fine products a try by placing an order of at least $49.00 before S.& H. charges, you will be entitled to a full refund of the price paid just for the asking! Should you have any other question, ask away: you're in direct contact
with me now. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6369: I have two sets of exterior limestone stairs at a home I recently purchased. One set is ok except for some minor surface cracks in the stones. The other has settled and is in need of being reset. I got a bid from a stone mason who bid the job of repairing the steps by quoting the replacement all of the limestone to the tune of $10,000. I believe I can repair the staircase by removing the individual stones and resetting them. There are approximately 6 stairs which are each individual rectangular stones. The base of the staircase is an approximately 6' by 4' platform that has some cracks. It is big enough that I don't believe it can be moved easily. I want to buy a chain hoist and canvas straps to lift the stones out of the way, lay paving blocks or something similar to fix the base and then place the stone stair pieces back in place. I would like to know what I should use as a foundation for the stones. I was thinking of using a fine rock base with a layer of mortar. After resetting, I would assume I should fill all the seams with mortar to finish the job. Also, starting from the bottom, should each stone overlap the previous or should they just be very close? -che' March 01, Reply
Q 6369: I was reading your advice on the web and wanted to get with you before buying my countertops. I am interested in a black granite and wondered which color was the most durable and stain resistance. I don't want a countertop that requires a lot of maintenance. Sealing once a year is okay but not a monthly thing. UGH!!! Also, would a product like Silestone, Avanza, or Zodiak be better than natural granite. I don't believe they require any maintenance. Please let me know what maintenance would be required on granite and what products should be used. Thanks, Kathy, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Kathy: Black Absolute Granite is among the most bullet-proof material that money can buy. Maintenance-wise is easier that Silestone, Ceasarstone, etc. for as long as you refuse to have it sealed! The vast majority of the maintenance problems related to black granite countertops are connected to the fact that the fabricator applied an impregnator/sealer to it believing that's granite. You will still be much better off using specialty cleaning products for routine maintenance, like my MB-5 and, optionally, MB-13 but that will be it! My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installations are available for a small fee (which could be refundable) on the EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE . Or you can go directly into the Consumer Products section and order some MB-5 and, optionally, some MB-13. Should you do that, I will send you my maintenance guidelines for free, just for the asking! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6368: We are going to put a blue pearl granite counter top in our kitchen. After reading many of the posting on your site I've learned that some "granite" benefits from sealing and some should never been sealed. Is blue pearl a type of granite that requires sealing? Are there any special 'gotchas' with this type of granite? Deborah, March 01, Reply
R1: Blue Pearl is one of the most enjoyable commercial granites that money can buy! It usually doesn't need to be sealed, and if it does not, you do NOT want to have anybody seal it! However, I seldom make final statements about any one particular stone. There may be differences within the same stone (and I'm not talking about looks, here!) from one bundle of slabs and the next. The slabs may have also been either "doctored" (which is bad), or "resined" (which is good) by the factory, which would make a big difference. Even more important, what's a good stone in the hands of some "Michelangelo"?! I did write a very comprehensive article on "How to Shop for a Granite Kitchen Countertop" that will give you all the intelligence you need to venture yourself with confidence in the stone industry jungle! It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it by logging on the Educational Literature It's available in pay-per-download format.What's more, should you in the future decide to give our fine products a try by placing an order of at least $49.00 before S.& H. charges, you will be entitled to a full refund of the price paid just for the asking! Should you have any other question, ask away Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6367: I am trying to find out the best way to maintain my granite. I have peacock green and I was told I could clean it with Cinch which is a glass cleaner. I am thinking twice about that now after I saw a reply you gave to someone on the site. What can I use to maintain everyday. Also how often do I need to polish it if any. Nancy, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Nancy: My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installations are available for a small fee (which could be refundable) on the EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE Or you can go directly into the Consumer Products section and order some MB-5 and, optionally, some MB-13. Should you do that, I will send you my maintenance guidelines for free, just for the asking! You’re in direct contact with me, now! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio Bertoli, Expert Panelist
Q 6366: Recently has get a contractor to do dry polishing on the marble floor(non-broken; thick; white and gray uneven color marble floor done by previous house owner).

After polishing the effect is: -1) Seen more prominent:- shinning particle and scratches.

2) Found more defects:- Quite a few small and round shape white dots (the marble is in gray and white color mix) and some of the white dot on the marble was touched with a feel of not very smooth surface.

Question are:-
1) What is causing the white spots? - Will defects and scratches become more easily spotted after polish? - Else wld the defect is caused by the polishing process. Like the type of chemical used for polishing.
2) The proper dry polishing on marble floor should be done in what approach? What chemical shld be used for
dry polishing?
3) Is it good enough to clean/mop the marble floor with water in order to remove dust particles when the floor:- is non-greasy or not oily? What to use if the marble floor is greasy. Thanks for your kind assistance. Rgds, PW, March 01, Reply

R1: I know exactly what your problem is and I have all the answers for you. Gimme a holler at: info@findstone.com and get in touch with me.There's a little $25.00 consultation fee involved (as you will be told), but I'll be glad to help. What's more I will even tell you how to get all of your money back! What more do you want from me? :-)Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert panelist, USA
Q 6365: I would love to know what this countertop is...I was told it was called Pietre Cardoza (sp?).It was greenish grey with white veining. One person said it was italian soapstone, another said itwas honed granite. Do you know what it would be? And, if so, is it good for a kitchen countertop? Thank you! Nancy, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Nancy: Geez, them people sure know their stone!! Pietra to Cardoza, is neither! It’s an Italian sandstone quarried near Cardoza, Italy. There’s no soapstone in Italy! It’s quite an enjoyable hard stone for a kitchen countertop, but, like all sandstone, it’s quite absorbent. (Soapstone is very soft but totally liquid proof). Therefore the use of a proper impregnator/sealer and its proper application are paramount! Our MB-4 is a very good impregnator for those kinds of stone and three applications (with an interval of 24 hours in between each application) will be enough. MB-4 comes with a 10-year limited warranty. All our products come with a 100% money back guarantee if not completely satisfied! Furthermore, once you’re an established customer, you can have any of the articles listed in our own Educational Literature library for FREE, just for the asking! (The offer does not extend to the NTC articles.) Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6364: Hi I was wondering how the stone originates is it naturally hard or does it get that way when exposed to sun and air.? My brother searches fields for indian artifact and he thinks he found soap stone but is not sure. Ant info you can give me on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Eva, March 01, Reply
 
Q 6363: We're considering using honed baltic brown granite for the countertops in our kitchen. Are their any concerns about using a honed baltic brown that we should be aware of before proceeding? Eric March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Eric R. Harnish: Honed Black Granite (no matter shich one) does represent a maintenance issue that can be summarized in two words: "SURFACE SOILING." What follows is the answer that I gave to a different inquirer and that I kept on file for copy and paste purposes. "Dear Inquirer: There are indeed different opinions on the issue of sealing black hone granite, but there is a unanimous consensus about the fact that it presents maintenance issues. The problem with honed black granite is that it is not ... well, black any more! Most black stones are but an optical illusion: they become black only when highly polished, or when wet. (See the back of your slab to see the REAL color of your stone!) As you take gloss off the stone surface (and honing does just that) you lose depth of color and the stone turns grey, but when you wet it ... here it is black again! As you spill oily liquids, or you simply touch the stone surface with your fingers (perspiration), you're going to have all sorts of dark surface stains that are a terrible eyesore. Please notice that I said: SURFACE stains, not imbedded stains. In fact, you can clean those stains off, while if they were imbedded you would have to poultice them out. If you apply an impregnator/sealer in the stone you will not solve your problem one bit: in fact the sealer will only prevent liquids from being absorbed by the stone (which in the case of black honed granite is an unlikely event to begin with), not the staining of its surface.Any solution? Well, yes: you have to give up the grey! If you apply a good-quality stone color enhancer to your countertop (such as our MB-6, which is also an impregnator sealer). it will turn it permanently black, while preserving the hone finish. In that way, the surface staining problem would be minimized. Any other questions?" Expert Panelist
Q 6362: I have a newly installed travertine floor which still appears chalky and dull. I want to clean it before applying a color enhancer. How and what product do i use to clean it properly from the grout and chalky appearance? What do i look for in a color enhancr? Thanks, Christina, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Christina: I detect a lot of confusion in your thoughts. What is exactly that you want your floor to look like? If you want it nice and shiny, neither a cleaning product, nor a color enhancer will ever do the first thing about it. You would need a professional stone refinisher. Besides, color enhancers don’t work well on travertine. Does it turn obviously darker when wet? If the answer is no, then a color enhancer won’t do anything for you.Let me know. You’re in direct contact with me, now. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio. Expert Panelist
Q 6361: Hi, my name is Sandro and my wife and I are planning our dream home in Toronto, Canada. Our architect is promoting a limestone exterior facade and my reservations are the following:
1) will the limestone stand up to northern climates and will the stone be effected by freeze and thawing?
2) is the limestone too soft a material to be utilized as an exterior cladding (not just accent moldings)?
3) will the limestone discolor over time?
4) will the walls require regular maintenance such as sealing?
Your comments would be greatly appreciated. Please advise, Sandro, March 01, Reply
Q 6360: I'm trying to decide between a ceramic tile that looks an awful lot like travertine or going with the actual travertine. I love the versai pattern. I do have a lot of kids running in and out of the house and I live by the beach so after reading the following problems it sounds like the travertine may be a bit delicate for our situation. What do you think? Or do you have suggestions for how it should be installed or sealed. Stephens, March 01, Reply
Q 6359: I am updating my kitchen counters & want to go with Granite. My question being........what is the best least likely to show stains & or imperfections. I have 3 small children & I am a sloppy cook. I have 83 square feet to do so whatever I do it will be very expensive. I don't want to make a mistake. The granite place I'm working with pretty much yeses me on everything & swears that if it is sealed then you have no problems. My neighbor (with granite) says she has problems with grease stains (hers are not sealed on recomendation from her installer). Is it best to go with a darker black/brown/green color? I really like the St Cecilia...but I forsee a red KoolAid spill & that scares me. Thanks for helping me...whatever information you can offer would be much appreciated. Sharon, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Sharon in Oklahoma: Certain granites need to be sealed real bad, certain others only moderately, and certain others not at all. (And the latter will created problems if sealed nonetheless.) Obviously, your friend’s fabricator didn’t know the difference! I hope the fabricators you’re talking to do. But it’s a tough call. I seldom make final statements about any one particular stone. There may be differences within the same stone (and I’m not talking about looks, here!) from one bundle of slabs and the next. The slabs may have also been either “doctored” (which is bad), or “resined” (which is good) by the factory, which would make a big difference. Even more important, what’s a good stone in the hands of some “Michelangelo”?! I did write a very comprehensive article on “How to Shop for a Granite Kitchen Countertop” that will give you all the intelligence you need to venture yourself with confidence in the stone industry jungle! It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it by logging on the Educational Literature . It's available in pay-per- download format. What's more, should you in the future decide to give our fine products a try by placing an order of at least $49.00 before S.& H. charges, you will be entitled to a full refund of the price paid just for the asking! Should you have any other question, ask away Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6358: I love the look of travertine/limestone and would like to have a bathroom vanity top made, however after visiting your site, I get the idea that travertine is not good for much of anything because of its porosity and PH sensitivity. Is that true or can proper care and installation make this a suitable choice? Rob, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Rob and Gail: pH sensitivity, yes. Porosity, no. Travertine is the densest stone among the calcite-based one. Many people are quite happy with their polished marble vanity tops, once they get to know what pitfalls to avoid and how to take care of them. My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installation will tell everything about it and are available for a small fee (which could be refundable) on the side bar menu of this very page ("Maurizio's Dos and Don'ts"). Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert panelist, USA
Q 6357: We recently had a bathroom remodeled with 16 x 16 honed travertine tiles. Unfortunately, it appears that when the plumber installed the toilet, he dragged it across the floor, scratching several tiles. Our first preference is to have these buffed out if it is possible? Or will we have to have the scratched tiles replaced? Or, which is the cheaper/easier solution? Thank you so much! I will bookmark your page! Lynn, March 01, Reply
R1: The least expensive way is to have a professional stone restoration company come out and re-grind and hone your floor. Now, do you know how to take proper care of it? :-) My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installation are available for a small fee (which could be refundable) on the side bar menu of this very page (“Maurizio’s Dos and Don’ts”). Or you can go directly into the “Maurizio’s Products” link and order some MB-1. Should you do that, I will send you my maintenance guidelines for free, just for the asking! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert panelist, USA.

Q 6356: Hi, We recently had Yellow Fantasy granite countertops installed. Our installer used a silicone or latex caulking between the countertop and backsplash. It isn't a very good color match with the stone and looks like someone painted a yellow line around the bottom of the backsplash. Is there anyway to color the caulking to make it blend better? Also he said that the caulking was better than grout? Is this true? Thanks, Michelle, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Michelle: Yes, caulking is much better than grout. Can you change its color? No, you can't. BTW way, do you have good info about properly take care of your beautiful countertop? My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installations are available for a small fee (which could be refundable) on the EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE. Or you can go directly into the Consumer Products section and order some MB-5 and, optionally, some MB-13. Should you do that, I will send you my maintenance guidelines for free, just for the asking! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6355: I'm an old plumber with other craftman skills. I am finishing the interior of my house and am at the fireplace. Mason coming to surround with stone. I found a slab of craborchard sandstone at a local dealer that I want to use for the hearth. I need advise on best way to set in place and keep it there! Cleaning of stone. What to seal it with? Can small nicks and" cuts" be filled? I'm sure that it stains easily so we will be careful. Stone is 72"x20x2.5"--need to cut 41/8th"off--best way to do that. Let me know how I can get your advise--just read your burial of free! Thank you much Maurice Gouin 42 collins brook road, Helen, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Maurice: If you can install bricks you can install that thing, too! Just make sure to use white thin-set. As for sealing and cleaning your stone, I would encourage you to use my stone impregnator MB-4, and my MB-5 for routine cleaning. My specialty products are available at our secured online store: CONSUMER PRODUCTS section and All our products come with a 100% money back guarantee if not completely satisfied! Furthermore, once you’re an established customer, you can have any of the articles listed in our own Educational Literature library for FREE, just for the asking! (The offer does not extend to the NTC articles.) Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6354: I have used a VERY strong grout cleaner on my marble floor. This cleaner has caused horrible results. The shine is gone. This cleaner had some acid in it. Is there any product that I can buy to put on the marble to restore the shine? BB, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear BB: The acidity of the product you used didn’t take any finish off your marble tiles: it actually corroded the surface of the stone. A professional stone refinisher is the only answer to your question. They will have to re-grind and re-polish your floor. Now, you’d better watch out! I consider stone refinishing as the very pinnacle of all the activities related to stone, from a professional point of view. Unfortunately, there are a lot of quacks on the loose out there and your poor marble already took enough abuse!

How could you tell a champ from a chomp? Could you trust the recommendation of your local stone distributor, or contractor, or your interior decorator? Hardly!

I did write a very comprehensive article on how to select a bona fide stone restoration contractor, which will give you all the intelligence you need to make a competent choice. It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it by logging on the Educational Literature. It's available in pay-per-download format. What's more, should you in the future decide to give our fine products a try by placing an order of at least $49.00 before S.& H. charges, you will be entitled to a full refund of the price paid just for the asking!

Should you have any other question, ask away: Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist

Q 6353: I have granite counter tops in Raven Black. I have noticed little fading spots showing up in some areas. Is it possible to remove these? How? Also, is it bad to use Windex to clean the counter tops. Reply. Thanks, Jill. March 01, Reply
R1: I know exactly what your problem is and I have the final solution for you. Go into the “Educational Literature” and look for the “One-on-one” consultation service I offer for a small fee. (Do NOT buy the article about stain removal: you don’t have stains, no matter what they look like!!) Or, you can also call you fabricator and ask them to solve the problem. After all, they made good money out of your countertop, didn’t they? Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6352: I live in Manhattan and am renovating a kitchen and a bathroom for my new apartment, which I hope to convert to a rental unit in about 5 years so I want materials that are lower maintenance. I would like a recommendation on on a granite counter that would match birch cabinets, white appliances and a grey floor, although I can change this color since I haven't purchased the tiles. Since the kitchen is so small and windowless, I prefer lighter colors and am looking for shades with some brown (not peach/pink), grey, white or black tones and I want a counter that's less porous. (I liked Kashmir White until I read how porous it is). I also want a recommendation for a reasonably priced natural stone (marble, granite, travertine, etc.) to use in the bathroom...one that is white base with grey tones. I want to avoid creamy colors and peachy tones. I'd like to use Carrera Marble (polished for walls, honed for floor) but am concerned about the maintenance. Since you are based in New Jersey, can you recommend a good local source from which to purchase these materials? Thanks, Marli, March 01, Reply
Q 6351: I am getting ready to install blue pearl tile countertops. I have existing laminate countertops. As I understand your advice, I will not seal the tile. They do not appear to absorb the lemon juice. I plan to sand the countertops, and then apply a layer of thinset for granite. I want minimal grout lines. What is the smallest I should use? What type of grout should I use? Should I put a membrane under the tile? What sealant should I use to set the sinks? I am also going to apply the tile as a backsplash. Do you have any specific advice about using it as a backsplash? From the webpage it looks like Blue Pearl comes from Norway, but my tiles were imported from Italy. Does that mean that it isn't blue pearl? It appears to be the same. It appears that you would recommend M-5 to clean the installed countertops? March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Rebecca: You're welcome! Yes, MB-5 is your man! But don't forget MB-13 to make your Blue Pearl tiles talk to you!! :-) Ciao and good luck, says Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6350: We have a brand new granite counter in our kitchen. We were out of town for a week while remodeling work continued in other parts of our house (bathrooms) and returned to find a mystery ring on our previously pristine granite countertop in the kitchen. The ring stain is a perfect circle, the outer rim of which is about ¼” in diameter, giving the appearance that a can or bottle made the mark. The center of the circle is not stained and is 3 ¼” in diameter. The high polish on the counter remains. It is still shiny and completely smooth to the touch, even on top of the stain. My question is what substances (regular household or otherwise) can penetrate granite and leave a ring without damaging the polish? My second question is how do I treat it? Shelia, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Sheila: You’re in direct contact with me now. But before I try to solve the “mystery” of your “ghost” stain I have to ask you a couple of questions: What kind of granite do you have? Did the fabricator applied any impregnator/sealer to it? Answer those two questions and then I will tell you what to do! Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6349: I accidentally spilled white distilled vinegar on my marble floor. It left spots and splatter stains all over the floor? We just had this floor installed around Christmas. Can this floor be saved or do I need to get another floor? March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Feeling sick in Ft. Washington (!!): Do you need to replace the whole floor? You wish! You will need to replace the whole house!! And all that over a few drops of vinegar!!!:-) Relax! No need to panic: get your local Yellow Pages and look under the heading: “Marble and Terrazzo Cleaning.” Not so fast, though! You’d better watch out! I consider stone refinishing as the very pinnacle of all the activities related to stone from a professional point of view. Unfortunately, there are a lot of quacks on the loose out there and your marble already got its dose of abuse! How could you tell a champ from a chomp? Could you trust the recommendation of your local stone distributor, or contractor, or your interior decorator? Hardly! I did write a very comprehensive article on how to select a bona fide stone restoration contractor, which will give you all the intelligence you need to make a competent choice. It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it by logging on the Educational Literature It's available in pay-per-download format. What's more, should you in the future decide to give our fine products a try by placing an order of at least $49.00 before S.& H. charges, you will be entitled to a full refund of the price paid just for the asking! And keep always in mind that, after all, it’s only money!! :-) Should you have any other question, ask away: Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6348: I have just stumbled upon your site and I have to breathe a sigh of relief for what looks to be an incredible resource. I have recently started working for a fabricator in the New England area and am looking to learn more about stone. From what I have read on your site it appears that I have a lot to learn. Is there a site or publications that you would recommend that would tell me what stones/granites should be sealed and what shouldn't? What stones/granites are best for kitchens, bathrooms, flooring etc? It seems where ever one goes online the only information that is available is related to the products that the web site is trying to sell.Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.Thanks, Alan, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Alan: I like your attitude! I'm always available to help fellow stone crafters. Allow me to take you under my wing!! :-) Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6347: We sealed our newly installed granite counters and island with the product called 511 Impregnator and followed the the instructions very carefully. The counters and island now have approximately 6 months of moderate use and there appears to be noticeable discoloration (dark spots) on several isolated areas. Question: how do I remove this discoloration and prevent this staining/discoloration from happening again, can it be restored back to it's natural state? The granite is a dark green/blue/black color. Thank you, Dale, March 01, Reply
R1: I know exactly what your problem is and I have the final solution for you. Go into the “Educational Literature” and look for the “One-on-one” consultation service I offer for a small fee. (Do NOT buy the article about stain removal: you don’t have stains, no matter what they look like!!) Or, you can also call you fabricator and ask them to solve the problem. After all, they made good money out of your countertop, didn’t they? Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6346: We have a granite countertop island with a 12" overhang. When we had the island constructed no one told us the proper steps or order of installing a granite countertop with such an overhang. Now that we need to install corbels we are in a quandry. How do we secure them to the island to provide support??? We've read where there should be a minimum of a 3/4' plywood underlayment. There is no such animal under ours. Have any suggestions? By not having corbels at this time are we in danger of possibly cracking the granite if we lean on it? Thank you for your time, March 01, Reply
R1: Get hold of your fabricator and let them tackle the problem. They made good money out of you, didn’t they? What do you expect me to tell you from here? Ciao and good luck, Maurizio Bertoli
Q 6345: We're preparing to have 18 x 18 travertine stone tiles installed in our foyer, kitchen, family room, hall and bathroom. I have purchased the needed quantity and at the last minute bought the "polished" travertine, which has a shiny look to it. The tiles are still on the pallet at the warehouse waiting to be picked up by the installer. I have been told by friends / etc. that I'm going to regret getting the "polished" tiles because it will be hard to keep them looking good in the traffic areas???? My wife is now wondering if this is true and would we be better off changing to a honed flat natural finish. We will of course be sealing. What's the general opinion ... will the polished be hard to keep "polished"???? Ronald, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Ronald Lang: 1. Polished travertine does NOT need to be sealed, of course! Not even with my outlandish MB-4 stone impregnator!! 2. You do NOT want polished travertine (or marble) in a kitchen. 3. A flat travertine (honed-finish) is a much better choice for the high traffic areas. In that case, you will impregnate it in the kitchen and inside the shower-stall. (With my outlandish MB-4 or course, or else!!) In all other areas it will not be necessary. Impregnator/sealers only prevent stains, but do nothing to protect the surface of the stone. Even when honed travertine absorbs very little. (When polished it absorbs nothing at all.) I can see that, as usual, your stone dealer can't give you much intelligence about the proper maintenance requirements of the natural stones they sell! My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installations are available for a small fee (which could be refundable) on the EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE section Ciao and good luck, Maurizio
Q 6344: I recently bought a home with a sandstone fireplace and hearth. Some water from snow covered logs have dripped onto the hearth and stained it slightly. Is there a cleaning agent for this application? I'm having limited luck on the subject matter. The sandstone is very light gray in color. Thank you, Robin, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Robin: When it comes to stain removal, either you buy one of those expensive “Professional kits” (that no true professional ever uses!) at a stone retailer near you, or you can spend less money and get my comprehensive guidelines on how to remove stains by using inexpensive and far more effective means that you may already have in your household! Such impressive piece of literature will also tell you how to tell stains apart from “stains”, and what to do about the latter! It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it through our EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE, Ciao and good luck, Maurizio Bertoli
Q 6343: I am an interior design student trying to get a grasp on the different properties of granite and marble. For example I need to know how it is cut, installed what edges are available, what sizes, how finished, sealers, density, thickness, texture, patterns, strength, fire resistance or class, water absorption, damp proofing, stain resisting, thermal and accoustics. Any information that can be sent to me regarding this is very appreciated. I am having a hard time finding any website that can provide this info.Sincerely, Harmony, March 01, Reply
Q 6342: I have a marble shower that needs to be cleaned and restored. I am not sure if it is natural or cultured, the stone is a dark green color. We have hard well water, and my husband blames my Dove soap for the streaking on the walls. I have tired a number of things but have had no luck. What do I use to remove the streaking and then what do I use to restore the shine (and of course prevent further streaking)? Is it possible to make these repairs myself or has it just gone to far? Lynn, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Lynn: Your Dove soap is not the culprit. It could be a number of factors, but since you don't even know what stone you have, it's kind of hard for me to venture any guess. I lean toward natural stone (opposed to plastic: Cultured Marble), but it's hard to tell. No you won't be able to do anything yourself. Get hold of a local stone restoration contractor for consultation. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6341: I accidentally spilled white distilled vinegar on my marble floor. It left spots and splatter stains all over the floor? We just had this floor installed around Christmas. Can this floor be saved or do I need to get another floor? Gloria March 01, Reply
Q 6340: I just had giallo ornamental stone installed for a new island. The existing counter is same stone name but from different dealer, the original stone is darker, but also much smoother and shinier than the island. Why would the "new" stone be rough in some areas, and sealant seems to be crackled, letting even grape juice stain in 2 seconds where other stone wipes easily? HELP..Advice?? Thanks Diana, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Diana: Probably the first slab had been "resined" by the factory, while the second one wasn't. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio Bertoli
Q 6339: Is there any way to restore or clean a black marble fireplace surround? I assume it has discolored either from heat from the fireplace or some fireplace fumes. The fireplace is a non-vented gas fireplace. Bill, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Bill: In a nutshell: get hold of a professional stone refinisher. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio Bertoli, Expert Panelist
Q 6338: Remodeling my kitchen and would like to have granite countertops. A local granite showroom said that they seal with a new product that's been out for about 2-5 years and the sealer lasts for the life of the granite top. The salesman told me that I wouldn't have to worry at all about the granites staining. Do you know of such a product? If so, please tell me more.... How do I know what type of granite I am purchasing? Are there certain questions I should ask before purchasing? Are different types of stones sealed with different types of sealers? When I do decide on which granite color, what should be included in contract? Any guide lines to follow? Thank you, Chris, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Chris: The only “forever” sealer I can think of is if the slabs have been “resined.” Other than that, the “forever” impregnator/sealer does not exist. I can see that you have lots of legitimate questions. You can find all your answer by logging on the “Educational Literature” I did write a very comprehensive article on “How to Shop for a Granite Kitchen Countertop” that will give you all the intelligence you need to venture yourself with confidence in the stone industry jungle! It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it by logging on the Educational Literature It's available in pay-per- download format. What's more, should you in the future decide to give our fine products a try by placing an order of at least $49.00 before S.& H. charges, you will be entitled to a full refund of the price paid just for the asking! Should you have any other question, ask away: Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6337: Could you advise how to find a legitimate granit counter restorer in the south shore of Long Island, New York? I have some dull areas on a kitchen counter, that may have been damaged by acid. Impragnating these areas did not solve the problem and I think they may need to be honed with a diamond plating tool. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Judy, March 01, Reply
R1: Hello back, Judy! I’m not convinced. Talk to me some more about your dull spots.
What kind of granite do you have?
How long ago was it installed?
What do those dull spots look like? Do they have any special shape?
Did you inqure with the original fabricator? What did they say?
Let me know and then we’ll take it from there. You’re in direct contact with me now. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6336: I read your website but I am still not sure how to clean my marble floor. I had a carpet on the floor which had no backing. Unforunately when we walked on it, it scratched the marble over a number of years. Can you please tell me if there is any polish that I can use to cover up the scratches or could I possibly paint the scratches as it is black marble. I would appreciate your comments. Thanks and it is a great website. Lester, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Lester Chan: I hope you're not trying to pull my chains! :-) I mean ... a pllish to cover the scratches up?! ... Or paint over the marble??! ... You need a professional stone refinisher that will proceed to re-grind and re-polish your marble floor. Now, you'd better watch out! I consider stone refinishing as the very pinnacle of all the activities related to stone, from a professional point of view. Unfortunately, there are a lot of quacks on the loose out there! How could you tell a champ from a chomp? Could you trust the recommendation of your local stone distributor, or contractor, or your interior decorator? Hardly! I did write a very comprehensive article on how to select a bona fide stone restoration contractor, which will give you all the intelligence you need to make a competent choice. It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it by logging on the Educational Literature. It's available in pay-per-download format. What's more, should you in the future decide to give our fine products a try by placing an order of at least $49.00 before S.& H. charges, you will be entitled to a full refund of the price paid just for the asking! Should you have any other question, ask away: Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6335: I'm thinking about replacing my kitchen counter tops with Granite.....I just love the natural beauty of stone but I'm getting very concerned about the care and maintanance. I don't want to be constantly watching guests or my children to make sure they don't make a stain on them. I tried to locate your link about "dos and don'ts" but I couldn't find it. I really need some good advise....help! Thanks, RAchel, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Rachel: If you pick the right granite and the right fabricator, you will have to countertop of your life: as beautiful and as bullet-proof as they come! But you’ve gotta get to know the ropes! I did write a very comprehensive article on “How to Shop for a Granite Kitchen Countertop” that will give you all the intelligence you need to venture yourself with confidence in the stone industry jungle! It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it by logging on the Educational Literature. It's available in pay-per- download format. What's more, should you in the future decide to give our fine products a try by placing an order of at least $49.00 before S.& H. charges, you will be entitled to a full refund of the price paid just for the asking! Should you have any other question, ask away: Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6334: I am trying to get some advice on repair of a baptismal font at our church. It is made of marble and was apparently made around 1928 from the inscription on it. The font is in two pieces with a base stand and large bowl. It appears that originally it had a 1/4" rod from the base into the bottom of the bowl which through the years has broken and the bowl is just sitting on the base. The bowl weights about 200 pound and is just sitting on the 6" base pedestal. We are afraid some child is going to try to pull them self up to look inside and turn it over on themselves. We have lifter the bowl from the base and there is writing on the bottom of the bowl and the top of the base so we feel it was designed to ship in two pieces. I am wondering if you could tell me if there is some good way to glue the bowl back to the base? Or should we drill the rod out and try to replace it? I do not know if we can just drill the marble with a masonry bit or if it takes something else. I had thought about trying to drill two holes to the side of the existing rod and put two rods in but I would only be using a hand drill and I am concerned about how accurate I could drill the holes. March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Earl Pond III: The only piece of advice that I feel like giving to you is to get hold of a local reputable stone fabricator of stone mason. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6333: I would like to know how to install marble over brick we have a brick fire place and are putting in gas logs in a fire box but want to in case it with marble on the brick do i need to put up backer wall also i have never installed marble are there any thing i need to know . thank you, March 01, Reply
Q 6332: I installed slate on the surface of a fountain. Water runs over this slate and looks great. Recently, I sealed this slate surface (3 coats) with stone enhancer and it changed the water flow in a negative way. Water races down and actually flies off the surface of the slate and out of the fountain to the floor. How can I remove that sealer without damaging the slate? Alan, March 01, Reply
Q 6331: We had filled, honed, travertine installed recently, and upon completion, we noticed that most of the tiles seem to have opaque spots, like smudges on them. Is this normal? Can it be corrected? Did the installer do something wrong? This is mainly noticeable from certain angles. Thanks, Evans, March 01, Reply
Q 6330: I have just received a quote to put slate on the floors of my entrance, kitchen and main floor bathroom and I think you think that this may be a bad idea. I have heard everything from great idea, slate is durable and low maintenance to don't do it unless in a low traffic area. I would love to read your guide. Lisa, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Lisa: You used one letter of the alphabet too many! Here's the real deal: My maintenance guidelines for residential stone installations are available for a small fee [Not: FREE!](which could be refundable) on the EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE Ciao and good luck, Maurizio
Q 6329: We are building a house and I fell in love with a piece of granite called ORO FANTASTICO. The man at the granite shop said they had never used this particular type but it is considered a special granite. After reading your website, I'm getting a little afraid about the porosity. The granite hasn't been cut or installed yet, so we have time to change our choice if advisable and we hear from you quickly. If you could also include any special suggestions for its care. Thank you for your website and all its information. Ciao, Andrea, March 01, Reply.
R1: Dear Andrea: "ORO FANTASTICO", huh!... Oh, it must be a very special "granite" all right! On top of that the man at the shop can't even tell whether is porous or not ... Mmmm ... It gives me pause right there! :-) Well, as you can tell, I never heard of this Fantastic Gold thing (at least not under that name!), but it really doesn't matter. In fact, I seldom make final statements about any one particular stone. There may be differences within the same stone (and I'm not talking about looks, here!) from one bundle of slabs and the next. The slabs may have also been either "doctored" (which is bad), or "resined" (which may be good) by the factory, which would make a big difference. Even more important, what's a good stone in the hands of some "Michelangelo"?! I did write a very comprehensive article on "How to Shop for a Granite Kitchen Countertop" that will give you all the intelligence you need to venture yourself with confidence in the stone industry jungle!
It does carry a small price tag, and you can order it by logging on the Educational Literature It's available in pay-per- download format. What's more, should you in the future decide to give our fine products a try by placing an order of at least $49.00 before S.& H. charges, you will be entitled to a full refund of the price paid just for the asking! Should you have any other question, ask away: Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist
Q 6328: We service a fountain that is made of black granite. Because of the water we are experiencing problems with calcium build up. are there any chemicals that won't damage the shine and remove the calcium? or is there a restoration and preventetive maintence process that we should employ, La pool, March 01, Reply
R1: Dear Brian: Most chemicals that would remove a buildup of mineral deposits are highly acidic. The use of any such product once or twice won't damage black granite, but repeated uses would. I prefer the mechanical removal of the stuff sitting on the stone surface. In situations like that I've been successful by using my marble polishing powder, MB-12 with a variable-speed right-angle grinder with a white nylon pad on a 7" diameter Velcro pad-holder. Being a polishing powder for marble it will not affect the granite one bit, but it's aggressive enough to remove all the mineral deposits. Assuming that they are mineral deposit. It could also be that the water actually eroded the very surface of the stone and made it kind of rough. As you lose shine, you loose depth of color as well, at it looks like the stone has something sitting on it. If that the case, you will then need the help of a professional stone refinisher.
Q 6327: why would i want to give you money for some advice that i may easily get for free. being an "expert" in stones as you say you are, giving me this advice should not be that hard enough to charge money. that is proposterous!!! i think this is about one of the rudest thing i have ever seen. it's not like i am asking you to come over my house and fix it for me but only to ask a simple question. is that hard to ask without being charged for?? apparently not to you guys. from this point on, i am sick of marbles. i'm gonna put in nice oak wood floors. that won't stain and won't make me go through the troubles of doing what i am doing. -not so thank you- Jimmy, March 01, Reply
R1: we i.e. findstone are not experts. we do not answer any of these questions. we only run this marketplace. on the other hand, so many problems and solutions have been dealt with on our site- but of course why should you think nice about that?and anyway there are so many stone sites so when you think you can get your answer for free from some of them, good for you. why are you upset with us though? anyway, all the best. FindStone.com
R2: Dear Jimmy: (I guess this is your name, since you are so brave and polite that you didn’t even sign your message) I never said to be an “expert” in stone: other people say I am, namely those who are willing to pay for my advice. Is there any reason at all that you could suggest as to why I should spend hours every day to answer people questions for free? Am I bonded by some sort of law to do that? I mean: if I’d decide to do volunteer work I would try to help the needy, not well-to-do people who can afford natural stone in their homes. You ain’t no welfare mother, are ya? Did you ever try to call a lawyer office (not your lawyer, just any lawyer out of the yellow pages) and ask for free advice on the grounds that it cost them nothing to answer? And if you can get your information for free somewhere else, why don’t you just get it instead of showing off what kind of a moron you are? Why don’t you ask the same questions to the people who sold the stone and installed in your home and made money out of you? It’s a simple question, right? So why shouldn’t they answer it for you? Let me tell you something: if bloated gasbags could actually fly, I’m pretty sure that your shoes would never wear out! Go away. I promise you that the people at findstone.com and I personally will never miss you. Ciao and good luck, Maurizio, Expert Panelist