Skip to Content

Articles Search Results

We have an old terrazzo floor that has been covered for years with wall-to-wall carpet. We want to remove the carpet, but it is held down by tack strips which have been nailed into the terrazzo. When I tried pulling up one strip, large chunks of the

Fri, Jan 21, 2022 0 0 574 0/5 (0 Vote)

The tack strips can be removed by cutting the nails flush with the terrazzo. A hack saw blade can be wedged under the wooden strip and the nail can be cut. A faster method would be to use a diamond saw blade mounted on a rightangle grinder. The shaft... Read More

I have been asked to polish a newly installed marble floor and the grout is cracking. What causes this and can it be repaired?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 697 0/5 (0 Vote)

The are several reasons why the grout may have cracked. The installer may have used too much water when he mixed the grout causing it to crack or there may be movement in the floor causing the cracking. To repair the grout you can overlay a thin coat... Read More

When we removed the carpet tack strips from a terrazzo floor it pulled large chucks out of the terrazzo. Is there a method to remove the tack strips that will not destroy the terrazzo?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 606 0/5 (0 Vote)

The best way to remove carpet tack strips is to cut the nails off flush with the terrazzo. Use an angle grinder and a dry diamond saw blade. If you do not have an angle grinder and the job is small you can take a hack saw blade and cut the nails off... Read More

After I recrystallize a floor the white grout is turning yellow. How do I remove this yellowing and more importantly how do I prevent it from happening?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 630 0/5 (0 Vote)

The yellowing is caused by the steel wool you are using reacting with the recrystallization fluid. It may also be from the waxes that may be found in the recrystallization fluid. To remove the yellow color you will have to scrap the grout with a... Read More

The marble polishing powder I am using has discolored the pink grout. Why did this happen and can I fix the grout?

Thu, Jan 20, 2022 0 0 726 0/5 (0 Vote)

Some grout colors can be bleached by the oxalic acid in polishing powders. You are always urged to perform a small test to determine if this might happen. It is possible to recolor the grout. There are several companies that sell grout colors which... Read More

I tried to hone a marble floor and after the 600 grit I keep getting stray scratches. Where are these scratches coming from?

Wed, Jan 19, 2022 0 0 628 0/5 (0 Vote)

There are several reasons you may be getting stray scratching check the following: Do the grout joints contain sanded grout? If the grout joint is wider than 1/4 inch, the chances are you have sanded grout. If you do, then the grout is becoming... Read More

What is the best way to remove ivy and other vines from brick, stone, and masonry walls?

Tue, Oct 25, 2022 ivy, brick, stone, masonry, vines 0 0 361 0/5 (0 Vote)

Q. What is the best way to remove ivy and other vines from brick, stone, and masonry walls? A. Ivy growing on the side of a home or building creates a feeling of warmth, reassurance, and interest, however the tendrils or aerial roots can grow into... Read More

Should my problematic new countertops be repaired or replaced?

Wed, Mar 3, 2021 countertop crack, countertop repair, countertop replacement 0 0 405 0/5 (0 Vote)

Q. I was looking online for articles about quartzite countertops. We recently had one installed, and we're having issues with a crack that appeared. I need some information. Should my problematic new countertops be repaired or replaced? The... Read More