David Bonasera is keeping you aware....
March 2016
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Spotlight Product:


ESP Sales has just picked up a new stone care line. It's called MORE Surface Care.  David has fully tested this and now he is happy to share it with all of you.
 
Most warranties on sealers are: If it fails, they will replace the sealer used in the project. That's it.
 
More Premium Stone Sealer is the best warranty David has ever found, and now ESP is using this for new granite counter tops. This is a water based, Low VOC product.
 
Here's how it works:
*   Homeowners are protected against stains for 20 years 
*   Commercial spaces are covered against stains for 10 years (granite only)
*   Exterior counter top installations are covered for 1 year
*   No need to reseal during the warranty coverage period
*   We'll replace the counter top if a stain can't be removed (that includes both labor and materials)
*   We cover granite and quartzite.
*   Oh, the warranty is also fully transferable

 
  
Industry News:

David just finished another year teaching at Surfaces/Stone Expo. This class was with George O'Regan with Stone Tec. The class was called, So You Think You Know How to Seal Natural Stone- the Science of Sealing Stone.
 
The other class was an educational class round table discussion regarding cleaning and sealing, restoration, fabrication, and tile installation and the new TCNA recommendations. 

Other News:

There seems to be a problem lately with some quartzite counter tops etching. Not all, just some. Be careful. 

The other problem is using a resin enhanced granite slab outside.  Some clients are having problems with these slabs outside.  It tends to fade in the sun and then has to be re-colored. The way to check is to look at the slabs and if you see dark run marks from the top of the slabs to the back side, you know these work just fine indoors, not so well outdoors.  
Last Thing (and most important):

These days it seems everybody is going to large format tiles. These are tiles 15 inch or more in any direction. David is coming across many installations where the tile setter is not aware of the recommendations for large format tiles and thus the homeowner or business is having moisture problems at the beginning of the installation or fading of grout or even spalling.  

Greg Mowit wrote a paper on Large Format tiles.  Please download this and keep it for your next tile installation. (This is good stuff and information your contractors may never tell you).

 
Promotion
This Month's Recipe:



Creamy Farfalle with Cremini, Asparagus and Walnuts
Ingredients:

Salt
1 pound farfalle pasta
3 tablespoons butter
1 pound cremini mushrooms, thickly sliced
1 pound thin asparagus, trimmed, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
1 cup mascarpone cheese
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 cup walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan


Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis


Instructions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and saute until tender and most of the juices have evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the asparagus and saute until the asparagus is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the farfalle. Stir in the mascarpone and nutmeg and toss until the cheese coats the pasta, adding the reserved cooking liquid 1/4 cup at a time to moisten. Stir in 1/2 cup of walnuts. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper. Mound the pasta in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and remaining 1/4 cup of walnuts. Serve.