Expert Answers in Slab

ANSWER - The Natural Stone Institute, formally the Marble Institute of America, Dimension Stone Design Manual states that "Cracks occur in stones as a result of man-made mechanically induced stresses during handling, fabrication, transport, or…

ANSWER: According to Pizzul Marmi Aurisina's website blog, due to their technical characteristics, stones are particularly suitable for different applications and, indeed, have been used since the ancient times of the Bronze Age in any kind of…

ANSWER -  It isn't clear from your description  exactly what the  conditions are, but generally speaking, if you have a countertop that is book-matched or if the veining is contiguous, and one of the slabs…

ANSWER - I assume you must have an Ubatuba granite counter top. Many granite and other types of stone are treated at the processing plants with sealers or color enhancers or resins to stabilize or…

ANSWER -  I assume  that when you said "tikes" you meant "tile".  So I assume you have marble slabs installed on your floor, and that you are saying that an 18 square inch spot on…

ANSWER - Marble is made up mostly of calcium carbonate, which is a material that is sensitive to acid.  Lemon juice is acidic with a pH around 2; neutral is a pH of 7.   So…

ANSWER - The Marble Institute of America (MIA) Dimension Design Stone Manuel Version 8 says for bullnose or other rounded shaped profile edges that the allowable tolerance is no more variation than +/- 1/32 (+/-…

ANSWERS - First of all it is odd to have a 1/2" thick granite slab for a countertop.  Maybe you are installing 1/2" granite tiles?  Or maybe you mean you have a 3/4" thick granite?…

ANSWER - Granite countertops are normally fabricated to a high polished surface that makes it easier to maintain. Lately, some quartzite and granite countertops are fabricated and installed with a leather finish.  This is a…

ANSWER - Plywood can be used as sheathing on an exterior wall, although it has to be protected with a grade D breathable moisture barrier. Mechanically attaching the stone to the plywood itself is not…

ANSWER - Based on the few photos you provided, I don’t think the white background sample you approved is representative of the salmon background countertop that you got. Read More

ANSWER - Wow that looks pretty extreme. Considering you could clean it off suggests that the staining is originating on the surface versus within. Considering the covered based has not discolored further suggests that the staining…

ANSWER - The only way to determine whether or not the travertine tile cracked as a result of the hot water leak is to perform a forensic inspection by a qualified inspector such as our…

ANSWER - Mechanical anchoring of the stone is always considered the safest method of installation.   If you do use mechanical anchors you need to be aware of the capacity of the particular stone you…

ANSWER - Many granite slabs are treated with resin color enhancers to make the granite slab look better. If the granite slab's polished surface was adjusted then the fabricator should have repaired it so it…

ANSWER - First of all let me give you some background info to consider.  Not all granite, or stones in general, are made equal by mother nature.   Being a natural material the physical properties can…

ANSWER - The photos clearly show that the vein separation is a fissure, which naturally occurs in some stones. By definition of the American Geological Institute a fissure is an extensive crack, break, or fracture in…

ANSWER - Granite counter tops, or any other type of stone counter top, are not suppose to break/crack before or after it is installed, as long as the counter top has not been abused such as…

ANSWER - In terms of the delay in completing the work you will need to determine if there are any penalty clauses in your contract with the granite installer. As far as the unprofessional work goes…

ANSWER - The Marble Institute of America (MIA) Design Manual does not discuss flush mounted sinks.  It is more common to have a reveal and not common to flush mount sinks.  I would be concerned…