Exterior masonry of any kind should not continue from outside into the enclosed inside portion of the house; there should be a break containing flashing and/or waterproofing. If such a barrier has been omitted, it will most likely have to be installed. Sealant or caulking is only a temporary repair at best. There is no way to know how to solve your specific problem without seeing a detail of the indoor/outdoor condition. If there is water in contact with solid masonry or a crack it will move through it by gravity, hydrostatic pressure, or capillary action (wicking) but in a properly constructed slab, a layer of coarse gravel or crushed stone (not fine materials like sand or clay) prevents water from being wicked up to the bottom of the slab (unless there is hydrostatic pressure present). Water vapor moves through a material if the air above the slab is drier. In a properly designed slab a sheet vapor retarder is sufficient to prevent water vapor from passing through the slab. In the case of hydrostatic pressure a waterproofing layer is required below the slab. None of this is difficult; it's standard concrete construction practice in commercial construction but it appears to be often ignored by home builders.

Someone asked about hardwood being laid at an angle. Hubby did that in our library. We also added a border all in the same wood in the ladies parlor. This next photo was taken from the ladies parlor looking into the library. And this is my wonderful hubby installing the floor in the gentlemen's parlor. The pictures too small to see the border around the hearth. And here's the sunroom. It opens up to the Gentlemen's parlor, the floors go at right angles to each other, but I don't have a photo of that online. Our upstairs hallway is in the same wood as the floors above. It has a turn in it. I thought the each end of the hallway should have the floors going lengthwise so I asked if he could try to do log cabin (as in the quilt) corners. And he did. I'll try to take a photo tomorrow, but right now our grandson is asleep in the room that opens from the corner of the hallway.

We installed Brazilian Cherry 9 months ago, and I think the flooring company recommends Bona, but I use a spray bottle of water with vinegar, and clean all the floors on my hands and knees. Just a damp micro-fiber cloth, the same cloth dries it, so it's not very wet. I shake it out at the sink after a few swipes. It's a long process that only lasts a day or so, these cherry floors are a nightmare to keep clean, and I've turned into a floor cleaning FREAK!!!! Family calls me the Floor Police!! Can anyone else relate?? You must have socks on, because toe prints will show and scuff marks drive me crazy, crumbs...spills, and unwanted scratches galore!!! I prefer to use my Dyson for bare floors daily and sometimes I gather all the crumbs with a micro fiber mop before I wet clean. I'm really happy to see others are using vinegar, because sometimes I feel I should buy the Bona cleaner. Vinegar was our first choice with ceramic tile, and now I'm using it on wood, hoping its still a good choice. No build-up that I notice. Someone said it takes away the shine, I haven't noticed that either. I would NEVER use Murphys Oil due to build-up. Try vinegar and water..and ONLY MICRO-Fiber cloths, I buy mine from Sams.

DH was born and raised around the oil fields of Oklahoma and wanted land around whatever future home we bought. We’d (or I’d) looked at over 100 homes and lots when a patient of his told him about a lot in a mountain community with incredible views AND gas lines and internet ( a VERY BIG BONUS out here!). He packed us a gourmet picnic lunch ( with chilled white wine, my fav) and drove us out here. Smart guy! As we dined, he has gave me his vision of our future dream home on this multi-acre lot, surrounded by thousands of acres of pine trees ( and other homes). As I was born and raised in the suburbs north of Detroit on a lake, he knew he'd have do for some serious sweet talking to get me out of the suburbs here! I caved. . . with one caveat: we had to have multiple covered portals (patios) so that I could sit and relax in the shade somewhere, no matter what time of day. We built our dream home on this very lot and 27 years later I’m still loving it! But, I am very thankful for the many shady portal we have . . . and our drop-dead gorgeous mountain views!