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

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

Q. When we had our new slate hearth put in a few years ago we also had our living room plastered the following day. The plasterer did not put any protective dust sheets down which resulted in our beautiful new hearth being stained with plaster... Read More

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

Q. The house was built in 1975, the entry and hall is the multi-color stone/slate typical of the 1970's There are faded red, dark gray, green-gray and light gray random shapes all with 90 degree corners. Can this floor be changed to a single... Read More

Q. I found a pile of travertine tile in my newly purchased house. It's not used anywhere in the house but would like to use it for a bathroom floor. Problem is, many of the tiles have holes that go through, some as big as a dime. Is there... Read More

Q. I am going to be hiring a tile setter. What kinds of questions should I ask them? By the way, I am in California. A. Here is what a consumer should ask a prospective tile setter: 1. Verify the contractor has a C-54 specialty license, along withÂ... Read More

Q. I have to do a repair around a jetted tub set in 12" travertine tile landing. All the tiles are set in grout. Is there a way to dissolve the grout & save the tiles? Thanks, Tom--A. Hi Tom, There is a risk factor involved with this task. Of... Read More

Q: I'm laying "penny" mosaic tile on top of a heating system. I had to use a light amount of thinset in some spots due to leveling issues. As a result I have some tiles that are coming up (I have not yet grouted). I am going to use spectralock... Read More

Q. We are considering using a large format marble tile on a kitchen wall. The tile is 7 1/2" X 24" X 3/4". Is this size tile too heavy to use on a wall? Is special thinset needed? Currently the wall is lathe and plaster (100+ yr old home), should... Read More