Common Maintenance Issues with Natural Stone and Their Repair or Restoration Methods

Need to fix a damaged or defective part of marble tile? Want to remove a stain on your lovely stone surface that doesn’t get properly cleaned...? Known for its sleek surface and lasting stability, marble remains a preferred natural stone material in households. But it also needs routine inspection and maintenance to keep the shine and sheen on marble and other natural stone surfaces in your home.

Here’s a query found in a forum: “There was really nice marble tile installed in the house that I live in about a year ago. It doesn't get much traffic. Since it was put in, I noticed an odd-shaped spot that gets darker with wear. Once I clean it, it lightens up again - but it's right in a walkway where I come in the house, so I have to clean it rather often. I'm wondering what caused it and how to fix it. May be a defect with the tile coating? Anyway, I want to fix it, and I know there must be some sealant that I can put on it to restore the gloss and keep it from getting dirty. I'd prefer that, obviously, to having to replace that one tile. Any advice would be appreciated!”

This seems to be a case of etching on marble, which is a common issue. Severe etch marks where the spot is noticeably rough to the touch may need professional restoration. It's all a matter of degree of damage and marble is a natural product so you can never know for sure until you start to repair the area.

Floor sealing normally stops liquids and dirt from staining them. But once your stone has been etched, you may now go for re-polishing, which will completely restore the beautiful natural look and feel of your damaged tile. You can get more professional and precise information from The Marble Man team who has over 24yrs of stone care service in QLD, NSW and other regions. Here is the particular link to their site which will solve your etching issue!

Do you want to professionally clean the tiles (marble, granite, Travertine etc.) or grout in your kitchen or bath? It’s not complicated anymore! Sealing the marble or limestone floors involves thoroughly cleaning the stone to remove all in-ground dirt and excess materials on the surface. This is achieved by using special detergents and rotary scrubbers with all materials wet vacuumed dry. The floor is then left to dry overnight. The following day two coats of penetrating sealant are applied which soak into the stone and dry, thereby sealing the pores from foreign materials.

Exclusive cleaning (Tile and Grout) and stone restoration services are available in Northern NSW, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra and other areas throughout QLD and NSW. Restore, refinish, and repair (repairing chips, nicks, scratches, gouges, cracks and holes): Granite, Marble countertops, tile, columns, Tubs, Sinks etc. 

Get your free stone restoration quote now by contacting us on 1300 627 626. Visit The Marble Man today for comprehensive stone restoration and maintenance ideas.

Never Let Inexperienced People Handle and Spoil Your Costly Stone Surfaces

Marble, granite and other stones are natural, elegant and have a timelessness that is hard to surpass with other flooring options. Choosing to use natural stone in your home is an easy decision, but adopting the proper stone maintenance practice can be a little bit trickier.

Described below, read what happened to a person who had first appointed an inexperienced stone cleaning contractor and later had to call The Marble Man to restore the damaged marble floor:

"The Marble Man rescued my marble floor and restored its beautiful, natural, glossy finish…..," Ms Rita Fletcher wrote in a testimonial expressing her happiness.

“The Marble Man returned the glossy, beautiful, clean reflection I was hoping for. These guys knew what they were doing, arrived on time and even cleaned up after themselves.  I am so happy with my marble floor now that I’m going ahead restoring my marble bathrooms. Please read my experience as I used a cleaning contractor first and then The Marble Man to fix their mess,” said Rita.

Read further the full story behind Rita’s experience:

Rita recently appointed The Marble Man to polish a marble floor that had been polished earlier by a cleaning contractor.  The contractor was unskilled in stone restoration and used inappropriate pads under a machine and abraded the high points in the lippy floor and did not touched the low points.  This left the floor patchy and dull and in worse condition than before they started.

After 4 attempts to correct the damage, 4 weeks later, Rita finally gave up on the contractor and called The Marble Man. She had to endure arguments with the inexperienced cleaner over payment of the rectification and the original bill, which she insisted on being paid for.  Rita ended up paying more for the rectification of the poor work, than they originally would have paid us to complete the job professionally.

We are finding more and more such issues every day.  Please don’t let this happen to you.  Your stone surface is precious. The Marble Man’s 8 Point Satisfaction Guarantee makes the right choice for your restoration the first time.  When you choose The Marble Man you are choosing a contractor that has a solid reputation for over 24 years now in the stone restoration field.

Before you start decorating your home for any occasion, it is good to have a close look at the stone surfaces in the house – the floors, walls, benchtops, countertops, vanity, bathrooms etc. If you think they need a facelift, don’t worry about the time or cost. The Marble Man can do it pretty fast and quite affordably in a professional way. Give them a call today on 1300 627 626 for a free stone care evaluation and to discuss polishing your natural stone floors, benchtops, showers or walls.

Headquartered on the Gold Coast, The Marble Man stone care professionals service several places in the QLD and NSW region, including Sydney.

Get Your Stone Surfaces Restored to Look As Good As New with Professional Restoration

“We are absolutely delighted with the results you were able to achieve repairing the travertine crack and the final finish.” - P Tucker, Noosa

“I just wanted to write to tell you how fantastic it has been to deal with your team. I have dealt with many people in the seemingly never ending saga of building our house and your company has been by far the most friendly and professional, your "nothing is too much trouble" attitude has been greatly appreciated... Your professionalism, timely advice, constant communication and care are to be thoroughly commended. The house was always left tidy each day, I was told what was happening and you took the greatest care with all our belongings. Thanks for an incredibly fabulous result and expert customer service.”- J Masci, Gold Coast

These are some of the mails we get daily from satisfied customers after exceptional stone restoration jobs done for them. For us, natural stone repair and restoration is a way of life and we get energised to do it with state of the art technology and nature friendly products.

When there is a repair or polishing work on your costly stone, never go for cheap contractors; call a professional instead. We’re telling this from our experience where we had been contacted many times to rectify the damage caused by unskilled people who initially tried to restore the stone. Stone restoration or repair is a very skilled process which can be efficiently managed by experts only. While attempting a repair, all areas around the work spot are to be protected to prevent any further damage. Also, the work areas are to be kept clean, tidy, and stress free.

If you want to look into more such remarks before making a decision on selecting The Marble Man for your stone restoration job, please read these testimonials. If you need to directly talk to us, this our FREE Call No. 1300 627 626. Our administration and sales team are trained and available online and on the phone to answer your questions. We can also send an experienced team member to inspect your stone and advise on its repair or restoration, providing a no obligation, free quote.

We’re proficient to handle Travertine, Marble, Limestone, Onyx and Terrazzo types of stones and can carry out a wide range of stone and marble repair and restoration work. Because of the range of products that we use, we prefer to complete tests on the particular material you have and inform you about the results possible.

Always remember that a regular maintenance routine is required to keep the natural stone in your home or business place looking its best. 

If you have some doubts about what are the products to be used for bathroom cleaning, visit our website to read some professional bathroom cleaning tips. Similarly you can find information on the website about DIY techniques and professional methods to keep the sheen and shine on your marble and stone countertops, floor tiles etc. Be in touch with our blog and social media posts to get updates on marble, granite and other natural stone restoration.

How to Preserve the Beauty of Natural Stone Tiles: Must-Know Maintenance Tips

Installation of natural stone comes with an even greater responsibility to maintain it regularly and restore it whenever necessary. Routine cleaning of marble, granite and other natural stones prevents damage and keep the stones in beautiful shape. The Marble Man, Australia’s top marble floor restoration company, specializes in restoring the natural beauty of stones through various processes and thus provides immediate solution to any stone surface problem so encountered. Besides, the Marble Man experts also offer valuable advice to the clients concerning protection of their natural stones from all possible damages. In order to maintain the natural stone, homeowners need to emphasize on three most important things, namely: prevention of damage, cleaning without causing damage and removing stains on stone surfaces. 

To prevent damage to natural stone, daily cleaning is must, though it is not enough to ensure future protection. Regular cleaning along with routine maintenance by stone repair and natural stone restoration professionals will enhance the value and longevity of your stone. Most importantly, try to prevent stain causing materials coming in contact with the stone surface. Put large mats at the entrance of the house to collect the dirt and soil from your shoes. These mats must be shaken and vacuumed frequently. Also, vacuum the stone surface regularly and ensure that the dirt and soil is removed.

Stone sealers must be applied professionally to prevent stains from penetrating into the stone surface. Resurfacing the stone surface will replace the dull, worn out stone by a smoother and harder finish that prevents staining. Also, it is easier to clean a smooth surface as dirt and grime do not get trapped into the uneven spots.

Another most important part of stone maintenance is cleaning it without damaging the floor. The best method is to use the right cleaning material which is a pH neutral cleaner specially recommended for cleaning natural stone. Remember not to use abrasive cleaners on the stone surface and nylon scrubbing pads as they are harder than marble and will eventually scratch it. Stone restoration professionals recommend the use of soft cleaners and sponges instead of thick cleaners as the latter will stick to the stone.

Wipe up spills immediately so as to avoid stains on marble, granite and other stone surfaces. In case stain has already appeared, try to determine whether it is water-based or oil-based and clean it accordingly. You may not be able to do this without the assistance of the expert stone restorers in Gold Coast. Take a snap shot and send it to The Marble Man specialists who’ll advise you what to do. Their professional team will examine the damage caused and will treat it effectively so that your stone is protected from future damage. In case damage has already occurred, it’s time to turn up to The Marble Man as their cutting edge techniques will bring back the old shine to your costly stone surfaces. Contact them today on 1300 627 626 for stone restoration and marble repair in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and several places in the NSW and QLD regions.

When to Contact Natural Stone Repair & Restoration Professionals in Australia

Limestone- after polishing by The Marble Man

Natural stone surfaces in your home, office or commercial establishment provide beautiful floors, countertops, fireplace etc. all the way enhancing the look and feel of the interior decor. You have made a costly investment with marble, granite or other natural stones; now what’s needed is to maintain those stones properly so as to get many years of amazing cuteness and style. A maintenance schedule has to be in place for cleaning and regular inspections of the stones to check stubborn stains, hard water spots, and cracks etc.           

The attractive appearance and durability of marble and many other natural stone tiles will remain for a lifetime if you follow standard maintenance practices. Ensure to completely remove sand, dirt, and grit which cause maximum damage to your natural stone tiles.

There are plenty of do-it-yourself methods described in the internet world to clean stones, and remove stains, mould & mildew etc., but many of them may eventually spoil the beauty of natural stone. For example, we have seen many stone care articles recommending the use of bleach, but actually bleach can damage your stone and grout lines, causing fading or discoloration. Use only quality products as recommended by authorised stone care professionals.

For daily cleaning of natural stone, add a few drops of liquid stone soap (PH neutral cleaner) into warm water and apply that cleaning solution using a soft cloth to remove stubborn dirt from the stone surfaces. Never use harsh chemicals to clean grout and caulk. It’s also advisable not to try any sophisticated cleaning or repair procedures by yourself or with the help of an unskilled person. What you can do is dust mop the floors and other stone surfaces regularly. 

And always call stone restoration specialists in Australia to do weekly or fortnightly stone cleaning. These stone professionals will check for stains, mould, cracks etc. while doing the routine cleaning and inspection of stone surfaces. They will do wax removal, grout cleaning, sealing, polishing etc. in a professional way as and when required.

For cleaning stone floors, professional stone restoration providers use chemical cleaning, abrasion based cleaning and heat based cleaning- sometimes these specialised cleaning processes are also used in conjunction to get the desired result. So, when they use such specialist procedures to clean dirt and stain marks, it’s clear that your daily dust mopping or DIY tactics are not sufficient to keep the stone surfaces in good shape.

The Marble Man, started in 1992 by Shaun Roberts, current owner & MD, provides professional stone restoration services in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, Northern NSW and other areas throughout QLD, NSW and Victoria. The company has individual home owners to big brand hotels and commercial buildings as its clients.

The Marble Man stone professionals use latest technology and only branded equipment and products for stone restoration works. Call the MM team today on 1300 627 626- They will send a police checked and verified technician to inspect your stone tiles at your convenient time and give you a free stone restoration quote. Visit the website to know their comprehensive portfolio and customer feedback.  

Preventative Stone Care Tips for Your Marble, Granite and Other Natural Stone Surfaces

People using natural stones are mainly worried about the maintenance requirements, but the fact is that natural stone countertops or floors need no more care & maintenance than natural wood products such as tables and chairs.

It’s better if you know your stone surface well and the maintenance needs it requires. A stone restoration specialist can guide you the precautions to be taken to avoid stains, wear and damage. Ask the stone care professionals about the daily and long term maintenance practices to be followed, and also the time schedule for resealing, repolishing or deep cleaning of stone surfaces.

Preventative care is what mostly needed for natural stones like marble, granite and travertine. Make sure that your stones are properly sealed with a penetrating sealer before installation. This will prevent staining to a certain extent and also will reduce the build up of moisture. Presealed stone surfaces are easier to clean too.  Topical sealers are not recommended because they do not prevent moisture to accumulate under the surface and sometimes affect the look of the stone.

Here Are Some Precautions and Preventative Care for Your Costly Stone:

Even though granite countertops are not susceptive to normal stains and scratches, they are prone to staining by oil and acid. Ensure to wipe up any spills on the countertops as soon as possible, and then clean the surface.

Don’t place acidic or chemical products such as wine, juice, vinegar, milk, tea or coffee on marble and limestone surfaces as these can etch or stain the surface. Use coasters.  Staining or etching can also be caused by high alkaline products such as aftershave, soap, shampoo and perfumes.

Grit on shoe can scratch a stone surface, so avoid using shoes on natural stone surfaces. Also use doormats which will gather dust and grit from shoes and slippers.

Use felt or any such soft pads under chairs and other furniture to avoid scratching. While moving furniture items, it’s advised to lift them rather than dragging to prevent scratching.

While cleaning natural stone, ensure to use Microfibre Mop or a cotton cloth to avoid scratching. If you want to use scourers, depend only on professionally recommended scouring products such as the Scrub-a-dub; other scourers can scratch the stone surface and spoil the glossy finish.

Natural Stone Cleaning

The best preventative measure for stone floors is regular cleaning with neutral PH cleaners such as S-P Cleaner, Stone Deep Clean, Brilliance or Renue. Wax based sprays are not to be used as they leave a build up on the surface. Dirt and grit on the marble or granite surface can affect its polished finish. Use recommended cleaning products only and do regular cleaning to preserve your beautiful stone surfaces. 

Marble and granite in the bathrooms are affected by soap scum. This is to be prevented by regular cleaning using a squeegee for shower walls. Also rinse vanities and natural stone sinks with hot water whenever possible.

For any queries on natural stone maintenance, you can contact The Marble Man who is regarded as the No.1 stone care company in Australia with over 20 years of experience in the field.  Call now for a Free Quote on 1300 627 626.

Natural Stone Restoration Tips for a Sparkling Floor or Benchtop

Marble floors are elegant. They decorate every room. They shine and look as good as new only if maintained properly. Marble floors have a unique charm of their own; however, they need constant care and maintenance. The following are some specialist tips given to you for maintaining your marble floor by one of Australia’s leading marble stone cleaning and restoration company- The Marble Man.

Read on to find out how you can retain the original sheen and shine of your marble floors with these simple tips-

1. Marble sealers- Marble absorbs liquids fast. This leads to staining. A marble sealer will keep stains at bay. A sealer will produce an impenetrable shell. The stain remains on the surface. This will give you time to remove the stain completely. Before applying the seal, study the type of marble you have for your floor.

2. Polish Marble- Marble tends to absorb liquids lesser if polished. Polishing improves the colour of the stone. However, you should polish your marble floor occasionally. Frequent polishing of marble floors will wear out the stone. However, if you want marble floors to shine, polishing is necessary!

3. Spot clean spills- Marble floors stain easily. Spot cleaning spills will prevent them from settling in. Acidic liquids like wine, soda, tomato sauce, coffee and fruit juices stain marble quickly. If you do not clean the spill immediately, the surface of your marble floor becomes dull.

4. Clean with a soft cloth or sponge- Clean the floor with a soft cloth and formulated marble floor cleaning. Use a dry cloth to clean the surface of the marble floor.

5. Dust and mop marble floors regularly- Use dry and clean dust mops to clean marble floors. Do not use vacuum cleaners for mopping the floor. The dirt gets jammed in its wheels. This can etch the surface. You should mop the marble floor regularly with a stone cleaner.

6. Use doormats and rugs- Our shoes carry dirt and grime with them. This causes damage to marble floors. Place rugs and doormats both inside and outside your home. People can wipe their shoes before entering your home.

The Marble Man cautions you on the following actions –

1.  Never clean marble with solutions containing acids, chemicals and alkalis that damage marble floors.

2. Never clean marble floors with vinegar, lemon and ammonia.

3. Dirty mops for cleaning marble floor will make the surface dull and unattractive.

4. Blot spills with paper towels to stop them from spreading.

For more information and tips on marble and other natural stone cleaning, repair and restoration, please visit The Marble Man website.

The Marble Man- Should Marble and Natural Stone Be Sealed?

If you are looking for ways to prolong the life of marble and natural stone, you can do so with the aid of professional sealing or coating techniques. Sealing/coating reduces the porosity of the material and makes it repellant to water, oil and stains. 

When you are looking for sealing professionals of natural stone, you will see that they will inform you on both the pros and cons of acrylic and topical sealers.  The right kind of sealant for your natural stone and marble will be determined by these professionals only after inspection of the stone surface. They will be the right guides to recommend the ideal sealant for your natural stone or marble surface.

Major Concerns with sealants

Some home owners have concerns about marble and natural stone sealants. Their concerns are obvious and the right professionals will address them effectively. Let us take a look at the major concerns that they face and how professionals handle them-

• Removal of coating- It is simple to coat a marble or a natural stone surface. However, the removal of the coating is very challenging.  It is important for all type of coating sealants to be removed and later replaced.  When you are replacing the sealant completely from the stone, it is very important that stripping should be thorough.

• Slips- Here professionals are called in to fix the problem. This slip issue in natural stone and marble is found mostly in flooring, bathrooms and pool decks.  When this issue is being rectified, professionals look into water features, climate and irrigation.

• Damage- There is cases where the marble or natural stone flooring is damaged and starts to flake and thin.  Here, you need to call in professionals to strip and replace the sealer on the whole floor.  This is a time consuming and costly affair most of the time.  There may be a possibility of a partial or localized replacement but most of the time it is not possible.

• Breathability- If the marble or natural stone has to be replaced, it is always prudent for you to call in a stone professional to check whether the stone is breathable or not. The stone should be able to permeate gas.

Protective Marble & Natural Stone Sealing with The Marble Man

It is very important for you to call in professional aid when you are considering natural stone or marble sealing.  Expert advice is needed to determine the time and the costs of sealing.  

In Australia, The Marble Man is the most reliable stone sealing expert that ensures your natural stone and marble surfaces are sealed in a professional way.  The Company takes into consideration the long term benefits and advises you on the costs involved. The Marble Man is a trusted name in and around Queensland and New South Wales and its professionals are friendly and customer-oriented. To contact them today, please visit (website) or call them on phone at 1300-627-626.