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12 | October 2024
The Stone Detective
The Case of the Flaky Travertine
Slippery Rock Gazette
After wrapping up there, I made a men- tal note to stop by the diner again on the way back. Flo’s good humor and the diner’s buzzing atmosphere were the perfect anti- dote to a morning spent diagnosing spall- ing driveways. And who knows? Maybe I’d have time for that a third cup of coffee: and some more flirting!
Driving back, I mulled over the day’s events. Every job was a mix of detective work, craftsmanship, and a dose of old-fash- ioned charm. Just another day in the life of the Stone Detective, preserving the past, one stone at a time, ensuring each piece could withstand whatever life decided to park on it. And with any luck, there’d be another Cuban sandwich at the end of the next mystery.
The Stone Detective is a fictional char- acter created by Dr. Frederick M. Hueston, PhD, written to entertain and educate. Dr. Fred has written over 33 books on stone and tile installations, fabrication and restoration and also serves as an expert for many legal cases across the world. Send your comments to [email protected].
including best practices, standards and reg- ulations that foster health and safety in the workplace. The WFF is a unified represen- tative voice for the industry on matters of industry-wide importance, including sil- ica safety. According to the WFF website, there are more than 2,000 surface fabrication businesses in the UK, some of which are also ISFA members.
“We are thrilled to join forces with the Worktop Fabricators Federation,” said Marissa Bankert, executive director of ISFA. “Our goals are perfectly aligned, and this partnership represents a significant step for- ward in our mission to support and elevate the surface fabrication industry. By combin- ing our resources and expertise, we can offer unparalleled support to fabricators around the world.”
Key Initiatives of the partnership include:
Expanded Educational Programs: The partnership will introduce comprehensive learning modules covering the latest tech- niques, technologies and best practices in surface fabrication. These programs will be available to fabricators worldwide, ensuring consistent quality and innovation across the industry.
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thing, my old bones included, which now seemed to operate on a slow modem dial-up connection. Waking up had become quite the circus act; the bones creaked, the back balked, and the muscles played a reluctant game of “not it” when nudged to get mov- ing. I chuckled to myself, “If I pop any more in the morning, they’ll start calling me ‘Rice Krispies.’”
Hungry for breakfast, my stomach growled for a good ol’ Cuban sandwich—pork, ham, cheese, pickles, and mustard all pressed together between slabs of crispy bread. It’s a taste of Miami, a slice of my youth, just like the stone structures I examine — both are layered, flavorful, and have stood the test of time.
Just as I was about to head out to my favor- ite greasy spoon, my phone rang. The voice on the other end was tinged with distress. A lady had a travertine paver driveway that was spalling, and she didn’t know why. Known in these parts as the “Stone Detective,” I usually unraveled the mysteries of historical buildings and ornate masonry, but driveways with attitude? Right up my alley.
I grabbed my keys and hopped into my trusty old Woody, which was almost as vin- tage and temperamental as I am, and drove to the diner. I perched on my usual stool. Flo, the waitress with a knack for sassy ban- ter, greeted me with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. “Back again, huh? Can’t stay away from our coffee or is it just me? ” she said with a wink.
Flirting with Flo was an old routine, as comforting and familiar as the Cuban sand- wich she was about to serve up. “Maybe it’s a bit of both,” I grinned, winking back. “But today, make it quick, Flo. Duty calls, and driveways apparently don’t fix themselves.”
As I scarfed down the sandwich, my phone buzzed again. It was Paver Panic Patty anx- ious for me to come over. I reassured her with a quick, “On my way!” and threw down a couple of bills for Flo, who was already pouring another cup of to-go coffee, she knew I wouldn’t have time to linger at the counter for more banter.
Upon arriving at Paver Panic Patty’s place, the travertine pavers were indeed spalling — they were shedding bits like a nervous cat.
“Good morning!” I greeted her as I stepped
Dr. Frederick M. Hueston, PhD
out, inspection bag in hand. “Thank goodness you’re here,” Paver Panic Patty, replied, her voice echoing her heels, which clicked a Morse code
of panic against the stone. As we surveyed the scene of the crime, I knelt down here and there, inspecting the joints between the pav- ers. “These joints are tighter than a new pair of shoes on a long walk,” I said aloud. “And these pavers, they’re thinner than my patience on a hot day. They simply can’t handle the weight of cars without a bit more meat on their bones and some breath-
ing room.”
was just another sunny day in Florida,
and the heat promised to bake every-
Paver Panic Patty looked both perplexed and intrigued. “So, what’s the fix?”
“Well, the whole driveway needs a facelift,” I explained. “Thicker pavers, wider joints. It’s a bit like plastic surgery for your driveway — expensive, but worth it in the long run.”
She sighed, a mix of dismay and relief etching her face. “I should have called a sea- soned stone sleuth like you from the start.”
ISFA and Worktop Fabricators Federation Announce Strategic Training & Advocacy Partnership
T
excited to announce a partnership aimed at expanding resources, education and advocacy for surface fabricators across the globe. This strategic alliance will empower fabricators with the tools and support needed to excel in an increasingly compet- itive industry.
The collaboration between ISFA and WFF will bring a wealth of new opportuni- ties to surface fabricators, including access to cutting-edge training programs, enhanced advocacy efforts and a broader network of resources. By combining the strengths of both organizations, the partnership will cre- ate a unified voice to address the challenges fabricators face in today’s rapidly evolving market.
Founded by a group of dedicated fabrica- tors in 1997 and based in the United States, ISFA has a longstanding foundation in the surfacing industry as a trusted resource,
he International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) and the Worktop Fabricators Federation (WFF) are
The collaboration will bring a wealth of new opportunities to surface fabricators, including access to cutting-edge training pro- grams, enhanced advocacy efforts and a broader network of resources.
providing education, standards, community, industry advocacy and other tools that foster growth and success for its members. Initially an organization focused on manufactured surfaces like solid surface and engineered stone, today ISFA represents fabricators and industry professionals who work with all kinds of materials, including stone.
Launched in 2020 and based in the United Kingdom, WFF’s objectives are to pro- mote professionalism across the industry,