Hi- i just came across your post while looking for a solution to my problem. Which is very similar to yours! We removed ceramic tile from our mudroom in our MCM home. It was really easy to pop up and guess what was under it all?!?!? Yes!!!! Gorgeous slate tile! Very similar to yours! We had decided to invest in a couple bottles of cement/grout haze remover, sulphamic acid and a couple cans of good ole elbow grease! We still have a lot of efflorescence to work on and some tiles that need to be replaced. (A lucky stop at our local Restore resulted in 30+ tiles to use! We don't need that many but for $6 ...) I have a couple of questions and I am hoping that maybe someone might read this and be able to help. If I recolor the grout will it keep the efflorescence from reappearing? Also the tiles still have a faint bit of efflorescence/grout haze that i just can't get to go! They look great when they're wet soooooo will sealing them keep that haze at bay? swickbb- I hope you had success with your floor!

You need a geotechnical engineer to determine the soil type and bearing capacity. While a bond beam can spread loads out, it will not do any good if the rubble footprint is to small to support the additional load. The old footing can tend to concentrate the load, defeating the load spreading of the bond beam. This is a problem that needs a careful sight inspection to determine what the best way to proceed is.

I may be able to help you locate someone - I have some AZ School of Rock Alumni in the area that I have trained over the last 2 1/2 Years that would be qualified to help you... get in touch with me and let's see what I can come up with - First though - let's talk about the "damage" that you have.. Can you send or post pics and elaborate some on what the issue or issues are that you are having with your countertop stone? What kind of stone is it - Natural, Engineered, etc? What IS the damage as you see it - how old is it? Have the tops just been installed? Need some more info to help you kevin

"Does anyone know what these "ground level" lights are called - and is there any comparable product on houzz or some other site where I can potentially find a replacement?" Post lamps,available anywhere outdoor lighting is sold. As far as the "ground level"part,taller posts will make them"eye level" or "rooftop level".