Monday 23 February 2015

Get the Best in Terms of Natural Stone Cleaning and Maintenance Most Safely


As a residence and business owner, it is obvious that you would want the best when it comes to cleaning and maintenance of natural stone.  In this way, you can keep your home or commercial premises free from germs, dirt and stains. Since people are busy, they cannot devote that much of time as trained cleaning professionals for maintaining natural stone surfaces in their premises. This is where expert aid should be sought. Natural stone cleaning specialists are aware of how to clean, maintain and restore natural stone in a safe non-toxic manner to give you a germ- free premise.

Get the Best Cleaning Methods and Products for Natural Stone...

The cleaning agents used for natural stone are different from the solutions you use to clean the other areas of your home. Stubborn stains and spills need special attention. With the aid of professional natural stone cleaners and maintenance experts like The Marble Man in Australia, you get the chance to enhance the look of natural stones in a hygienic and non-toxic manner. The professionals here will take care of the natural stone surface and enhance its dull appearance. They will take appropriate steps to ensure your floors, tiles and countertops are spotlessly clean from any specks of dirt.  

Contact The Marble Man to Ensure Fine Care for Natural Stone without Toxins

The Marble Man is a credible and reputed natural stone cleaning, maintenance and restoration specialist company in Australia. The professionals working here are certified and trained in cleaning natural stone in a non-toxic manner. The materials they use are safe for pets, senior citizens and small children. The Marble Man will deploy the best cleaning methods to remove stubborn stains and spills effectively. Their professionals are organised and systematic in their approach. They use the best cleaning methods for all types of natural stone surfaces they are dealing with. Often they give you advice and valuable suggestions on how you can take preventive care and prolong the appeal of your natural stone surfaces for a long time.

Say Goodbye to Stains and Spills Forever...

The Marble Man is an affordable company that will first inspect the task at hand before they provide you with an estimate. The price and cost of every project will depend on the nature of the job to be done. You can plan the task jointly with them. They are efficient and fast in their work giving value to your time. The results are always exemplary. This is why the Company has a loyal customer base in Australia and is the first choice for any natural stone cleaning, maintenance or restoration work. You can prolong the life and looks of natural stone for your residence or commercial premises with them for a long time. For contacting these dedicated experts for the ultimate care and maintenance in natural stone, call 1300 627 626 today!

Tuesday 17 February 2015

Install and Properly Maintain Natural Stone without Believing in Myths


The uses and abuses of natural stones are not unknown. While uses are manifold, the only disadvantage with natural stone is the difficulty in maintenance. There are some common problems of maintenance associated with all types of natural stones which we have discussed in the previous articles. 

The problems related to stone restoration are inevitable but can be prevented to some extent or completely resolved if proper maintenance procedures are followed. Besides, there are certain myths relating to installation and maintenance of natural stones which deter us from using them in our houses or workplaces. While few regarding specific stones have already been discussed, here are the rest regarding stone installation and stone maintenance you need to know before choosing the perfect stone to suit your purpose.

Sealing, needless to say, is the most important part of stone restoration work. However, people believe that stone installation and maintenance gets expensive as sealers need to be applied after every few months. To be precise, the frequency of application of sealers depends on the type of stone, the purpose for which it is used, the level of traffic and how often the stone is cleaned. Sealers which cost less are generally thin and therefore needs to be reapplied frequently. But if good quality sealer is applied, it provides 2-3 years of superior protection. So, professional natural stone restoration companies recommend application of high quality sealer during installation to save the cost of frequent application in the long run.

Vinegar is considered an effective cleaner and is believed to disinfect any and every surface. But stones such as marble, travertine and limestone etch on coming in contact with vinegar. Application of acid such as vinegar makes the marble look dull and needs marble floor restoration to restore the previous shine.

Another harmful cleaning technique includes mopping the floor when it looks dirty. People often avoid sweeping the floor regularly and do away with mopping until the surface becomes visibly dirty. But sweeping tile surfaces is as important as mopping. Dirt accumulates within the grout lines daily which is not visible to naked eyes. Therefore, tile surfaces must be swept daily so as to prevent the surface from losing its color and finish.

Power washing is considered an excellent technique for removing dirt embedded deep into the stone surface. However, what most of us don’t know that power washing, if not used by professional stone cleaning company, is way too powerful for our stone. It can erode the surface of granite and remove fills in travertine. It pays to get sensible advice on what method of cleaning would work for your natural stone surface.

It is quite evident as to why choosing a stone or its maintenance technique is difficult. A number of things are to be considered to ensure the best result. The Marble Man, Australia’s most specialized stone restoration company, offers expert advice on choosing the perfect stone, applying the best cleaning technique and delivering a superior stone repair and restoration service.

Friday 13 February 2015

Common Problems Associated with Natural Stones and Their Solutions


Installing natural stone to beautify our house is no less than a matter of pride. Natural stones such as marble, granite, limestone add glamour to the houses in which they are installed and give them an aristocratic feel.  These decorative stones are durable and possess the capacity to last a life time. However, if not installed properly and not maintained on a regular basis, certain difficulties will arise which might shorten a stone’s life.

There are some common problems which one has to experience once natural stone is installed. In order to retain the beauty of these stones, the home owner should always be aware of these common problems, how they are caused, what type of cleaners are to be used and the proper maintenance procedure. This will enable him/her to protect the stone and prevent wear and tear to a great extent. 

Let’s have a look at some of the common problems that a natural stone is subjected to and how are they caused:
  • Wear or loss of shine- natural stone encounters wear due to which its shine is reduced. This mostly happens with marble since it is softer than granite. The bottom of our shoes is a major cause as it acts as sandpaper which wears the polish off over time. To prevent excessive wear, keep the floor dust mopped and place mats at every entrance to ensure that the floor is protected from outside dirt.
  • Staining- staining is a very common problem with marble and other natural stones and is particularly created when the stone comes in contact with oil, acid, food, drink and rust. Once stained, stone repair becomes difficult, therefore, the best solution is to clean the spilled material immediately,before it gets embedded.
  • Etching- etching is basically the dull spots that are created when liquids containing acids are spilled on the stone surface. Marble and limestone are more prone to etching whereas granite is acid-resistant and hence, rarely etch. Avoid using cleaners containing acid so as to prevent etches. If etch is deep, you may require an entire marble floor restoration.
  • Efflorescence- it is basically the white powdery residue that appears on the stone surface. It is created when the stone is newly installed or when it is exposed to large quantity of water such as in flooding. To remove efflorescence buff the stone with clean polishing pad. Efflorescence will continue to appear until the stone is completely dry.
  • Cracks- cracks in stone are created due to poor installation or excessive vibration. To repair a crack, consult a natural stone restoration professional to find out the real reason behind the crack.
  • Rings or spots- water rings and spots are created due to hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium which are left behind when the water evaporates. These spots can be removed by marble polishing powder though, deep spots may require honing.
  • Yellowing- stone may turn yellow due to embedded dirt and grime, waxes and other coatings or due to natural process of iron oxidation. Alkaline cleaners can be used to clean the stone but in case of iron oxidation; there is probably no solution other than restoration.
Many problems can occur to a stone surface and thereby it requires proper identification of such problems and coming up with the best solution. If you experience any problem related to your stone surface and want it to go through a proper stone maintenance process, it’s time for you to seek the expert guidance of The Marble Man, the most specialized stone restoration company in Australia. 

Sunday 8 February 2015

Marble for Your Fireplaces- Care for Them with The Marble Man


Marble is a versatile and beautiful natural stone that can be used for decorating your home. You will often find many homes in modern times having marble flooring, countertops or fireplaces. It is very durable and carries an evergreen unique elegant appeal. Marble is not only known for its beauty but it is popular for its durability and cost effectiveness.

Marble for Your Fireplace-Elegant and Safe

Marble is also popular for its fire resistance and safety. This is why it is a suitable stone for making fireplaces in your home. A marble fireplace looks sophisticated and since it is not a combustible material you enhance the protection of your home. The marble stone is easily available everywhere. This means you do not have to spend a luxury on your fireplace.

Different Types of Marble for Fireplaces

It is very important for you to know about the different kinds of marble you can use for fireplaces. The popular marble stone types for a home fireplace are conglomerate, natural marble and micro marble. A fireplace made of natural marble is cut out, engineered and polished from the quarried sheets of marble slabs available in the market. This type of marble is available in many natural colours. If you are making a fireplace with micro-marble, you will find it is created in an artificial manner with resin. The third type of marble stone is conglomerate and like micro-marble this is man-made. It is prepared by using many big chunks of crushed marble assorted with different colours. Some of the widely-sought after colours of this type of marble are gold, black, peach, white, beige and gray.

Marble Fireplaces-  Opt for Machine or Man-Made

Marble fireplaces are made in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The best part of marble fireplaces is you can have one built as per your budget. You can opt for a marble fireplace that is machine fabricated or sculptured. Marble fireplace manufacturers give you many design options to meet and match the decor of your home.  The marble fireplace increases the resale value of your home too. However, it is very important for you to take good care of your marble fireplace if you want it to last long and look as good as new.

Call The Marble Man Team for Durable & Appealing Marble Fireplaces

The Marble Man is Australia’s number one marble and natural stone restoration specialists. The team at The Marble Man specialises in any kind of marble and natural stone restoration of residential and commercial premises. The team here are updated with the latest training and equipment to ensure your marble fireplaces last forever. You may contact these dedicated professionals on their toll free number 1300 627 626 or email them via their website for further advice and information on how you should take care of your marble fireplace today!

Monday 2 February 2015

Protect Granite & Marble Countertops for Your Bathroom & Kitchen


The Utility of Granite or Marble Bathroom & Kitchen Countertop Finishes
The bathroom and kitchen of your home deserves to be a show stopper like the rest of your rooms. When you are making a new bathroom/kitchen or renovating an existing one, you can add glamour and sophistication to it with granite or marble finished countertops. Granite or marble countertops enhance the beauty, appeal and durability of your bathroom. Granite or marble stone finishes are beautiful and simple to maintain. When you scan the market for them, you will find there is a diverse range of attractive natural stone finishes waiting to be a part of your dream bathroom. Moreover, once installed, they increase the resale value of your home and invite accolades from everyone!

An Insight into Granite & Marble Natural Stones
Today, granite and marble are the first choice for bathroom and kitchen countertops. You will find many different types of materials in granite. Some look like small flecks while others appear to be long veins. Granite is available in natural colours and can be cleaned and polished in several ways. Marble, on the other hand, can be any stone, other than granite, that can be polished. Marble can also include limestone, onyx, serpentine and travertine. Serpentine is often referred to as “green marble”. This material is not actually “marble” in the true sense of the term but it looks the same.  It is chosen by many home owners primarily for its ability to be more stain and spill proof than the other marble available in the market.

Natural Stone Care and Maintenance…
It is very important for you to protect granite and marble from dirt, stains and spills. Both granite and marble are hard and durable making them a versatile countertop choice for your bathroom or kitchen. There are specific dos and don’ts when it comes to the cleaning and maintenance of both these natural stones. Both marble and granite should be kept away from acid, sand, dirt and other small particles that may integrate with them. Regular cleaning with the right cleaning agents is compulsory to keep them free from damage. For granite countertops, you should use a granite sealant for providing it additional protection from dirt and potential damage. You should never use cleaning agents that have caustic soda, ammonia and bleaching agents as this will remove the additional protected layer from the granite. For taking care of your granite and marble countertops, you should consult credible natural stone restoration specialists to do the job carefully for you.

Protect Granite and Marble Countertops with The Marble Man
The Marble Man is a trusted and professional natural stone cleaning, restoration and maintenance specialist company with skilled experts to take care of your precious granite or marble bathroom/kitchen countertops. You may contact these friendly experts on their website or call them on the toll-free number 1300 627 626 to enhance the durability and appeal of your kitchen/bathroom countertops both today and in the long run!