Different Types of Repair and Restoration Methods for Natural Stone Surfaces

Nothing related to natural stone repair and restoration seems difficult or strenuous with The Marble Man, Australia’s No.1 natural stone restoration specialist. It deals with all types of stone restoration works thus reinstating the charm and value of the natural stones we use in our homes and offices. The process of restoration is conducted for the purpose of bringing back the stone, which has undergone wear and tear, to its original state.

Restoration of natural stones such as granite, marble, limestone, travertine, etc. involves removal of scratches, stains, and other damages from the surface of the stone by means of mechanical abrasion. For restoration work, only the services of specialized natural stone restoration companies should be availed to get a superior result. A tilt and grout or carpet cleaning company can only provide cleaning services, but not restoration which requires specialized tools and experienced technicians. Moreover, different types of stone surfaces (i.e. polished, honed, flamed, etc.) require different methods and techniques of restoration. A specialized stone restoration professional’s job also involves taking necessary measures to protect the surrounding surfaces from damage.

In the previous articles, we have already dealt with different types of damages that natural stone may undergo over time. Be it a scratch, acid spill or regular stain, we need an expert for its removal and for bringing life back to the surface. These experts make use of a number of techniques and processes for restoring the damaged stone to the state in which it was installed, namely:

• Grinding- It is a very aggressive method of restoring stone which uses diamond to remove scratches and other damages. It gives better clarity and reflectivity than other methods of refinishing stone surface. A stone floor restored with diamond retains its look longer than in any other method. Though it might cost you more in the beginning compared to other methods, it will actually cost you less in the long run.
• Honing- After diamond grinding, the process of honing is undertaken which is a less aggressive method compared to the former. The materials and grits used in this process are not as rough and course as they are used in grinding. Some restoration work even skips the grinding process and directly starts with honing. This is mostly done when the scratch or etch is minor or moderate and can be removed using softer approach.
• Polishing- This is one of the most important processes in refinishing the stone surface because it makes use of a combination of higher grit compounds to bring back the shine and vigor of the stone. Isn’t it the reason why we use natural stone in the first place?
• Sealing- The final stage of stone restoration, it makes use of a protective sealant which is applied on the stone surface to protect it from contaminates such as water, oil, ink or dirt. This process must be resorted to immediately after honing and polishing to ensure proper protection.

The Marble Man provides highly trained and experienced professionals at your doorstep to ensure regular maintenance of your stone bench tops, floors and walls. Professional maintenance of stone surfaces comes with the benefits of not only looking good but also saving time. For any matter related to natural stone or marble floor restoration, contact The Marble Man experts on 1300 627 626.  

Tips to Keep Your Bathroom Tiles Clean of All Grime

Bathroom tiles are durable and practical choice for wall covering and bathroom flooring but they require care and cleaning because if tiles are not cleaned regularly and properly, they begin to accumulate mold, mildew, bacteria and soap deposits. Clean tiles improve the appearance of your bathroom thereby making it look larger, cleaner and brighter. It is thus essential to clean bathroom tiles at least once a week with some good quality cleaning product and scrubbers so as to keep them looking clean and new. 

Try the following bathroom cleaning tips and the results will speak for themselves: 

Pre-clean with a spray cleaner

Prepare your bathroom tiles for cleaning by rubbing them with a basic all-in-one cleaning spray that is formulated especially for cleaning bathroom tiles. This can be done by scrubbing the tiles with a scrubbing brush or sponge after spraying the cleaner. Rinse the tiles with warm water thereafter.

Use bleach to kill mould and mildew

Make a solution by mixing equal amounts of water and bleach to kill mould, mildew and bacteria breeding on the tiles. Spay this mixture on the tiles and scrub hard with a sponge or brush in a circular motion. Use hot water to rinse the tiles after scrubbing. Although bleach is a good option to clean your bathroom tiles, use only a specially formulated cleaning products containing bleach to protect your tiles from looking dirtier than they actually are. Always follow the directions written on the label of the cleaning product. Moreover, use any new product on a small area first so as to test it before continuing. 

Use vinegar solution for cleaning grout

The thin line between two tiles is known as grout. This area has the tendency to collect most of the stains, dirt and mildew because of everyday bathroom use. For this, you need a more powerful cleaning solution. Take 1/4th mixed with 8 cups of water. Use this solution to clean grout. Although white vinegar is good for cleaning mould, it is better to get a tile cleaner with mould inhibitor to prevent further growth of mold.

Apply a soap scum remover

It is quite difficult to remove soap scum with basic bathroom tile cleaner. Therefore, if you notice any residue from soap or hard water on the tile, use a soap scum remover containing powerful cleaning agents like lemon oil, white vinegar, lactic acid or alcohol.

Polish bathroom tiles with a soft towel 

Polish the tiles with a soft and clean towel to make them appear shiny and to free them from any remaining dust or debris. This final step will leave your bathroom tiles glossy and looking as good as new.

Specialized cleaning is mandatory if you wish to retain the clean and shiny look of your bathroom tiles. This type of cleaning thus requires considerable time and effort to be invested. If you don’t find that much of time out of your busy schedule, Specialised Cleaning Services can do it for you. You can hire professionals to clean up your bathroom every week so that you can enjoy a luxurious bath every day. Call Australia's No.1 stone restorers on 1300 627 626 for a free stone repair or cleaning quote.

Installation Guidelines and Maintenance Tips for Natural Stone Tiles

If you want lasting beauty for your natural stone surfaces, then stick to proper care and timely maintenance. One should have some basic stone restoration ideas like when to call a stone restoration professional and what routine cleaning procedures one has to follow on a daily basis.

Natural stones have the inbuilt ability to transform an environment and create soothing pleasure and joy. If you don’t have stones at home or office, think of installing them as early as you can afford. If you’re not sure about the cost or what type of stones to purchase, give The Marble Man a FREE CALL on 1300 627 626.

It is advisable to follow the guidelines of a professional natural stone restoration specialist, starting from the time you purchase the stone, to ensure the original beauty of your floors for years to come. There are many instances where people neglected their costly stone surfaces after installation, thereby getting severe damages to the stone’s structure within a short time. 

Understanding different kinds of natural stones and their restoration needs is not an easy task. It needs years of experience and research on natural stone care and maintenance to get expertise on this matter. That’s why The Marble Man insists you to check up your stone tiles - floors, vanities worktops etc. - at least once in a year with the help of a stone repair and restoration specialist. The Marble Man stone technicians are well qualified and get regular stone restoration training.

The Marble Man recommends these everyday use ideal stone cleaning products for removing soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew from different types of floor and wall tiles in residential baths and showers. These stone surfaces need a more thorough routine cleaning due to the build-up of soap scum, body oils and hard-water stains.

Sweep or vacuum your natural stone floors regularly to remove dirt, dust and other harmful materials. Follow with a soft scrub brush or white nylon scrub pad dampened with a neutral pH cleaner. Finally rinse the stone surface with normal water and dry the area to get a refreshingly clean and elegant stone surface.