Fixing Chips, Cracks, Scratches and Grout on Natural Stone Floors and Benchtops

How to Repair Chipped Stone Floors

The latest technology to fix chipped stone floors uses UV epoxy glue, which is similar to an ingredient in dentists’ tooth fillings. The advantage here is that you get better results with the hardest materials.

After a perfect repair by the Marble Man technicians, the chipped area won’t be easily recognizable as it will be colour matched, levelled & polished.

Benefits:

• The repaired floor tiles become stronger than its original state because of the presence of high quality UV epoxy glue used in the repair process.
• The menace of dirt entering the chip is completely stopped.
• Epoxy’s colour matches with that of the stone tiles, making the repair unnoticeable.

Scratches and Cracks in the Floor

High-quality resin bond diamond pads and special wet polishing machines are used for repairing scratches. The work involves grinding the scratched surface and then using 1500 grit polish to further refine the surface. Next, a diamond polishing compound is used to bring back the original shine. This way, you get the best result without replacing the tiles.

Where there are cracks in the floor, we first apply a special coloured epoxy resin to the crack. Wait 5 minutes for the epoxy to dry, then it’s ground back to the level of the stone surface. The area is then polished to perfection and you get back the initial glossy surface. We use the epoxy with a similar colour to the stone, so the cracks won’t be visible at a glance.

How to Repair Chips, Scratches, Cracks or Stains on Marble & other Stone Benchtops

The Marble Man stone restorers in Australia have been given classes on new technology on stone repair whenever it’s released. The latest UV glues, epoxy adhesives and resins give the best result for stone chip repair. Chips on Caesarstone, Essastone and other natural stone benchtops can be repaired in a perfect manner.

Fixing cracked marble, limestone, travertine, Caesar stone or granite benchtops using top quality material and newest technology means you get awesome result for the money spent.

You can normally find chips in the edges of granite or stone benchtop in front of the sink and dishwasher. With The Marble Man, it can be rest assured that all your stone repair issues are solved with guaranteed result.   

Same way, cracks on natural stone bench top like granite can be seen in its edges in front of the sink and hotplate. However with Caesar stone and manmade stone, cracks occur from corners or joints also. We first add a support under the cracked stone benchtop in order to strengthen it and then use the filler to fix the crack.   

See some cracked stone benchtop repair works by The Marble Man. They service: SYDNEY | CANBERRA | NEWCASTLE | CENTRAL COAST | BRISBANE | GOLD COAST | and SUNSHINE COAST. 

Call now on 1300 627 626 to arrange an obligation FREE stone restoration quote or email us to book your onsite evaluation.

How to Deal with the Maintenance Needs of Your Granite Countertops

With increasing number of people turning to use natural stone in their home and commercial building, granite has proved to be the most preferred natural stone for its beauty as well as durability. Synthetic solid surface materials are no match for the richness and depth offered by real granite. However, people using granite as kitchen countertops, showers or flooring material are very much concerned about its maintenance.

Dealing with Granite Countertops

The diamond-like hardness of granite makes it virtually impervious to abrasions, stains and heat. It is not easily inclined to scratch or burn. However, it is very usual for any stone countertop to develop wear and tear after prolonged use. Due to daily use in the kitchen, chips, stains, cracks, or loss of luster may be caused. One may wonder if money needs to be spent again to replace the stone, or is there any other viable solution. Professionals dealing with natural stone restoration in Sydney suggest that no matter how big the damage, it is always cheaper to repair and restore granite counter-tops, rather than replacing them.

It is advised to avoid applying cleaners having any kind of acid or abrasive substance or placing hot objects directly on the stone countertop as it might cause discoloration. It should also be kept in mind that sitting or standing on the countertop can sometimes crack or break it.

Removal of Cracks on Granite

People using granite in their homes often encounter cracks on the stone surface and are more concerned whether it will cause greater damage in future. It is very important to note that calling a stone installer for the purpose of removing crack will not be a good idea. An experienced granite repair specialist in Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast is preferred for mending cracks. A person who has made such repairs before knows the products and methods required and won't be experimenting with them. A crack is generally repaired by filling with an acrylic or using a colour-matched epoxy to stick the pieces back together, which obviously depends on the nature of crack. However, the crack will still remain visible unless it is re-polished. Though you can stick the pieces back together yourself, the re-polishing task has to be taken up by a stone restoration specialist in the QLD and NSW region.

You’ll find that caring for your natural stone regularly is easy. All you need are some warm water, soft cloth and a mild dish-washing liquid to maintain your granite countertop. The best thing you can do for your granite countertop is to follow certain preventive measures by which your countertops will last a lifetime while maintaining a brand-new appearance. The Marble Man, Australia’s most specialized stone repair/restoration company, offers expert services related to installation, maintenance and restoration of your natural stones in the QLD and NSW regions, and many more places. For more information regarding granite or marble floor restoration, call their experts now on 1300 627 626.

Marble Floors Maintenance Tips Australia- QLD, NSW and More

Marble floors really look classy and add a beautiful glamour to any room decor. There is no exception that marble floor will be your first choice because of its mesmerizing seductive beauty. But have you ever thought of its maintenance? Like all luxury and precious items, marble floor demands some regular care process, in order to look agelessly beautiful. 

Installing marble floor for your home is indeed a huge investment. Unless properly cared and maintained, stained and damaged floors really look shabby. Instead of offering a glam look, stained marble floor offers a clumsy unsightly look. However, with reliable and affordable stone repair professionals like The Marble Man, marble floor restoration is not beyond your capacity. Also, some regular clean and stone care precautions after scheduled professional stone restoration can keep your stone floors beautiful for a long time.

Sweep the Floor Regularly

One of the worst enemies of marble floors is grime, dust, and dirt. In addition to these pollutants, sands get accumulated on marble surface and spoil the smoothness of its natural stone surface. Sweeping lightly on the floor surface with smooth broom is the easiest way to swipe off these stubborn elements from floor surface. As the primary care method for your marble floor you need to sweep the floor at least two times a day: this is a simple way to control harm done by hostile intruders like dust and sand particles.

Use Doormat to Restrict Entry of Dust

Placing a doormat on the entry door of a room not only adds to room décor, it is a simple but sure-shot way to reduce the entry of shoe-borne dust and dirt in the room. Sands can create fine scratch on the floor surface and dirt tends to settle comfortably on the uneven scratched surface of the floor. You need to prevent the entry of sands and dust in the room as maximum as possible. With a little extra alertness, you can maintain the glossy look of the marble floor forever! Placing a doormat is the first point to reduce entry of sands and dust.

Take Best possible Care while Mopping the Floor

Mopping your marble floor in a regular way can help you in maintaining the shine and sheen of its smooth surface. However, mopping should be done with a microfiber mop. The micro fibre base of the mope ensures natural prevention of scratch on the smooth marble surface.

You need to be double alert about the mopping solution. Ideally, it should be of neutral pH base. Otherwise, there is high chance that acidic or alkaline solution can damage the smooth surface of stone floor. As a result, gradually the marble surface will turn dull and unattractive. Visit The Marble Man website to know about the correct cleaning products for different natural stone surfaces.

Handy Home Remedies to Prevent Stains

• You can use some home remedies to prevent oily stain and tint from the marble floor. For example, use baking soda and water mix on the surface if there is an unsightly stain.
• Rub the stain with lime water or raw lemon extract and salt- it is an inexpensive remedy to eliminate unsightly stain from marble surface.

However, despite all the care you give and the DIY remedies you practise to safeguard your stone surfaces, you may find that your marble floors get dull and unattractive over time. So it’s prudent to call a natural stone restoration service provider occasionally to inspect your stone and do professional stone cleaning, polishing etc. to prolong its life.  Call The Marble Man today on 1300 627 626 who are the No.1 natural stone restoration company in Australia. 

Special Characteristics of Marble and Its Care & Maintenance

Everybody appreciates the beauty of marble!

We often use marble surfaces as decorative slab, countertop or mantle piece. There are many premises that have marble floors as well to enhance the beauty and appeal of the place. Marble is an amazing natural stone, but most of us are not aware of its innate qualities. Like all things, marble too needs to be regularly maintained and cared for to have its shine and sheen for a long time. If you are investing in marble for your home, it is important for you to know more about it to provide the care it deserves- marble cleaning & sealing, marble repair, marble polishing, marble restoration etc.

Know Your Marble Tile before Purchase

There are two kinds of marble slabs widely available in the market- cultured and solid. Both are mostly used for vanity areas, kitchens and bathrooms. Before you buy marble, determine which type of marble you need for the area.  Generally, cultured marble is cheaper and easier to maintain as it has a gel-like coating to prevent staining and spills. It is a mixture of polyester resin and limestone that is crushed to prevent the staining caused when in use.

On the other hand, solid marble is the expensive variant of the natural stone and is more porous. This makes it susceptible to frequent staining and spills.

When you buy marble stone for your home, you should not use cultured marble in the kitchen. It tends to scratch and chip easily and is most suited to be placed in any vanity area or the bathroom. Cultured marble also enhances the appeal of the bathroom as it makes the area look stylish.

Solid marble tops are usually installed in the kitchen and you can also find them in commercial places like fast food joints, hotels, public restrooms and more. The surface of this stone is very durable and can withstand a lot of traffic. There are many solid and granite colours that you can choose from when you are looking for a rough and tough stone for the area. However, solid marble needs sealing and regular maintenance to prevent stains from setting in.

Marble Care and Maintenance at Reasonable Rates

Both cultured and solid marble tops need maintenance and care regularly. You should never use the wrong materials or cleaning agent solutions to wipe off stains and dirt. It is prudent to call in professional stone restoration companies like The Marble Man in Australia to inspect your marble top and maintain it accordingly. The Marble Man is in the natural stone care industry for the last 23 years or so servicing Sydney | Canberra | Newcastle | Central Coast | Brisbane | Gold Coast | |Sunshine Coast| and more.

Regular maintenance will enhance the lifespan of your marble countertop and keep it looking fresh and shiny. The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune on regular maintenance as the costs are affordable. To know more about marble polishing, sealing, repair works etc., please visit The Marble Man website or call them on 1300 627 626 for a no-obligation FREE quote. 

Ensure that You Use the Correct Type of Natural Stone for Various Applications in Your Home

Natural stones come in a variety of finishes such as polished, honed, antiquated, tumbled, leather, rugged etc. They possess different types of edges such as bevelled, bull-nosed etc., in addition to having varieties of natural and random patterns. They also don’t have any size restrictions compared to ceramic tiles as they come in huge slabs or in small mosaic pieces.

Marble, granite and other natural stone surfaces can improve your home decor and are used in interior as well as exterior applications. They make wonderful decorative surfaces for floors, kitchen countertops, vanity tops, bathrooms, patios, walkways, fireplaces, facades, wall cladding, and garden landscaping. Stones impart a rich and earthy feel to the home atmosphere.

Kitchen and bar countertops usually come in contact with acidic substances such as lemon, vinegar, alcohol, and tomato sauce. These countertops are also exposed to sharp equipments and tools such as knives, needles etc. and hot kitchenware like dishes, pots and pans. So it is common practice that granite, which is the hardest natural stone, is used in kitchen and bar countertops. However, if properly sealed and maintained, you can also have the luxury of marble for countertops in bars and kitchens. 

Limestone is extensively used as a building stone because it can be carved easily. The soft, muted tones and textures of limestone or travertine are obviously an ideal fit for the peace and relaxation you need in the family or living room. Limestone also suits all types of furniture and upholstery because it possesses varied shades of beige, tan, yellow and gold.

As said earlier, kitchen countertops usually face spilling of acidic substances, whereas bathroom countertops are often exposed to alkaline products, which do not harm marble surfaces. Marble comes in a wide spectrum of available colours and smooth, flowing patterns, and it’s the main reason why it is used in bathrooms and fireplaces. 

Sandstone has joint structures of minerals such as quartz, pyrite, or calcite and sand sized grains like quartz and feldspar. Its colour ranges from cream, grey, red, and brown to green and is generally used as flooring or paving materials.

Slate finds its place in patios and atriums as its earth tones and rustic look radiate a comfortable, natural look. It is also slip resistant, and much less likely to show dust and dirt than polished marble or other sleek natural stones. Because it’s not too expensive, slate is widely used in large, informal areas such as exterior landscaping and interior garden designs. 

For more details and reliable stone care info, contact The Marble Man who is Australia's No.1 Marble, Granite, Travertine, Stone Benchtop and Tile Repair & Restoration Specialist. Call for a free stone restoration quote: 1300 627 626.