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.

Benefits & Drawbacks of Marble and Granite Countertops- a Comparative Study

Natural stones such as granite and marble are used as a favoured material for various structures for centuries. They are highly regarded for their durability, aesthetic appeal, performance and longevity. The granite and marble countertops are quite impressive and speak about sophistication and luxury.  Both the stones transform an ordinary interior decor into elegant space. They considerably increase the market value of a home; increase its potential for higher price and quicker sale.   

MARBLE: Formed from sedimentary carbonate rocks through metamorphic formation, the marble stone is truly unique and they are distinguished by veins of various mineral deposits that includes clay, quartz, iron-oxide, fine-grained chart, silt and other sediments. The materials are fused together naturally under great pressure forming different kinds of patterns of swirls in different ranges of colours such as white, cream, red, grey, blue, pink and green.

Apart from ornamental use, marble stone is also suitable for building applications such as marble flooring, marble sink, marble counter top and marble dining table. In addition it is used as columns, bathtubs, tiles, fireplace mantels, window sills etc.

Benefits of marble:

• It increases the real estate value of a house because of the professionally worked high quality marble used in structure and design.
• It is a unique material choice, No two pieces look alike.
• It enhances the decor and aesthetic appeal with matchless beauty.
• This natural stone is highly durable if properly cared for.
• It provides a good sanitary surface.
• It is easy to disinfect, improves the indoor quality of the air, and does not trap dust, pollens and other allergens.
• It is cooler in warmer and hot summer than other types of stone choices for flooring.

Marble has few negatives also such as:

• It is expensive, and easily gets scratches,
• Can get damage when in direct contact with hot items,
• Requires routine resealing,
• Stains easily and should be wiped promptly,
• Requires annual restoration for its maintenance.

GRANITE: Like marble, granite is another popular stone, visually impressive and coveted for its rich elegance. It is a composite of fused elements like mica, quartz and feldspar which influences the colour of the granite. It is formed deep in the earth with intense pressure for thousands of years to become marvellous granite.

Granite is incredibly hard, durable, tough and versatile. It is removed from earth as huge blocks and used after precision cutting and polishing into granite slabs and tiles.

Granite with different colours and mottled patterns is used as countertops and tiles for residential use in kitchen and bathroom. The major benefits of granite are:

• Competitive price than any other natural stone.
• It resists moisture and scratching, and is resilient to heat.
• Cleaning granite is very easy and it is known for its self cleaning ability and sanitation comparing to other natural stones.
• Once polished, it maintains the shiny and lustre appearance.
• It endures extreme temperature and resists wear.
• It is highly durable and popular for its longevity.
• Each piece of granite is unique.

Despite resistance and durability to water, spills on natural stone surfaces should be wiped up and cleaned immediately to prevent etching. Coasters should be used under glass vessels when carrying hot items.

Natural stone counter tops create a dramatic appearance to your kitchen and bathrooms. They are becoming the preferred choice as they complement any decor and are budget friendly.

Maintenance of granite and marble countertops is made easy with regular sealing and restoration works by stone care professionals. The Marble Man has been doing the stone restoration for over 20 years and they are the best choice for all your store counter top maintenance. The technicians at The Marble Man offer guaranteed stone restoration work and service Queensland and NSW regions.

The Marble Man Tips for Natural Stone Care & Maintenance- Removing Granite Stains & Dull Spots

Granite is one of the most widely sought after natural stones used in the kitchen and floors of your home. It is durable and tougher than marble. However, like everything else, it is important for you to ensure granite is taken care of.

There is a common misconception that stains and dull spots do not appear on granite surfaces. This is wrong. Just like marble, your granite countertop or floor also has the tendency to get stained and lose its shine.

The Marble Man- a leading marble and natural stone maintenance, restoration and repairing company on the Gold Coast servicing most part of QLD and NSW- gives you some insights about the granite stone and how you effectively can keep away stains and dull surfaces at bay. Let us take a look at them below-

Granite – How to Keep Stains & Dull Surfaces at Bay:

• Though granite is a tough stone, it has the tendency to suffer from scratches. When you find a scratch on your granite stone, it is recommended to contact a professional to have it repaired.
• It is advised to use coasters under all your glass items to stop stains and dull spots on your granite surfaces.
• If you have a granite countertop at home, it is very important for you to avoid having citrus and other alcoholic products sitting on the surface. This leads to etching and subsequent dullness.
• It is very important for you to keep hot items away and off the granite surface. In case you need to place something hot on the granite countertop or surface, use a trivet or a hot pad. This will protect the granite surface from stains and dull spots.
• It is important for you to reseal the granite countertop in order to preserve and maintain its sheen. It is important for you to do this after an interval of every two years or as advised by a stone care specialist.
• If you wish to clean the granite countertop on your own, you can make your own cleaner. This is a pH balanced cleaner and you can mix one part water with one part alcohol to get the best effects. If you wish you may use less alcohol and more water.
• If you have a floor made of granite, you should clean it with the help of granite cleaner. You may call in a professional to do the stone cleaning for you. If you want to clean the granite stone on a regular basis, you may do so with regular dusting and sweeping.

It is thus evident that the task to keep stains and dull spots on granite at bay is an easy one. You just have to be little more careful and ensure the tips above are followed. If you are based in the QLD and NSW region and looking for skilled and experienced experts to take professional care of your granite stone, feel free to call in the friendly professionals at The Marble Man. 

Tips on How to Maintain Your Granite Countertop Correctly

Granite is an amazing stone for your home and it is formed from the magma of volcanoes. It ranges in forms and colours to become a prized possession for your home. When you are buying granite for your home, it is very important for you to care for it correctly. 

Let us look at some advantages and disadvantages of this natural stone:

Granite –Advantages

Granite has always been really amazing additions to a home. They are unique and often are considered to be great pieces of art. There are so many colors for you to choose from. In fact, the homeowner has so many options available. The stone can fit inside any design or décor scheme. Moreover, the granite stone is also very durable and has the ability to resist great heat. Granite is ideal for your kitchen as you can use it for rolling out cookies, kneading dough and other kitchen cooking tasks that need a cool countertop for getting the best results.

Granite –Disadvantages

As such there are very little disadvantages of granite but you should take care of it regularly. There is a common misconception that granite does not need maintenance. This is not true. In fact, it does. If you do not take care of stains immediately, they have the tendency to set in. They can be very hard to remove and you would have to remove them fast. Granite countertops are also vulnerable to cracking if you do not install them properly.

Basic Cleaning & Easy Maintenance Tips for Granite

When you have a granite countertop at home, there are basic cleaning tips that you should follow. Always remove dust with the help of a microfiber cloth. For daily spills, ensure you wipe the granite countertop fully with water. You should use a damp cloth if you are using a stone cleaner to wipe the countertop. Never use cleaning solutions that have harsh chemicals as they will cause damage to the surface. Ensure you look after your granite countertop with seasonal maintenance. Sealing is very important. Inspect the areas and ensure there are no seams or signs of cracking. Also check for scratches and stains. Contact professionals only for repairs. If you delay repairing, you may have to replace the whole granite countertop and this is really expensive.

Call The Marble Man for Regular Granite Countertop Maintenance at Affordable Prices

If you are looking for regular granite sealing and maintenance in Sydney | Canberra | Newcastle | Central Coast | Brisbane | Gold Coast | Sunshine Coast, call The Marble Man. The team of professionals here will check your granite countertop and provide you with affordable sealing, restoration and maintenance services. To contact them, please visit website or call them on 1300-627-626.

Various Processes Involved in the Restoration and Repair of Natural Stone Surfaces

The saying that natural stones require skilled and proficient maintenance to ensure their longevity is no new fact. Even if the stone bench tops, countertops, floors, walls or pathways are cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, you cannot possibly do away with the expert and professional stone repair and restoration services that well-known restoration companies like The Marble man deliver at your door step. However, natural stone repair and restoration services do not simply involve polishing the stone surface to give it an entirely new look. 

Top-rated stone restoration companies like the Marble Man train their employees in such a way that they take their clients' work personally and deliver before and after restoration services as well. This article is meant to provide you with an in-depth knowledge of all services that are relevant to an entire stone restoration procedure so that you can take a wise decision while choosing your stone restoration professional.

A proper and systematic natural stone restoration procedure usually begins with consultation and inspection. The stone restoration professional performs a number of tests to determine the type of stone and inspects the damage caused to the same. They may also restore a sample area for a minimal charge to give you the idea of how your stone would look like after restoration. Prior inspection also helps to determine if the stone needs to be sealed.

The consultation phase is to be followed by actual restoration of the natural stone. The Marble Man’s trained technicians use the best equipment and material to bring back the original beauty of the stone. The result: your stone surface is restored to its past glory. Stone restoration involves several methods namely, grinding, polishing, honing and sealing (already discussed in previous articles). All scratches, stains and spills are efficiently removed from the stone surface by means of mechanical abrasion.

The after restoration service includes impregnation or protection of the stone. Even when a stone is restored, it runs the risk of getting stained from spills of coffee, soft drinks, oil or excessive traffic. Natural stone can be protected from these stains with the use of impregnator. Impregnation is one of the most essential stages of stone care program. Well-known stone care professionals use the best impregnator available in the market. Impregnation enables cost-effective and long-term protection of stone surface from stains and dirt.

After the restoration process has been completed, you may consider using safe chemicals for daily maintenance of stone. But, what is safe for a ceramic tile may not be safe for natural stone. Hence, The Marble Man professionals will guide you on how to clean and maintain the restored appearance of the stone as a part of daily cleaning procedure. The shiny appearance of a stone is transient and requires restoration every two to three years for its revival. Therefore, stone restoration companies offer a periodic maintenance program which protects the stone in the long run and minimizes the need of complete restoration in the future. The frequency of such periodic restoration schedule is determined by the type of stone and its particular requirements.

All the above steps should be followed for a proper stone restoration work. The Marble Man, Australia’s best stone restoration company, does all of it in a professional and timely manner. For any matter related to natural stone or marble floor restoration, contact TheMarble Man experts.  Call their office today on 1300 627 626 to arrange an obligation free stone restoration quote. 

The Marble Man - Restoration and Repairing of Limestone, Granite and Other Stone Countertops

There are several customer complaints when it comes to limestone and granite countertops losing their original beauty and lustre with the passage of time. The countertops look dull and entering the kitchen/bathroom becomes an eye sore to everyone.   

Both limestone and granite countertops can be restored to their original glow with the aid of professional natural stone restoration and repair specialists. Hiring them is a wise choice as they are aware of the unique demands of the specific stone and the correct procedures on how to polish them effectively without damage.

Natural stone restoration of limestone and granite…

Limestone and granite are natural stones but similar in composition. Limestone is a rock composed of calcium carbonate or a combination of calcium and magnesium. The limestone and marble you get in the market may be recrystallised limestone, travertine or compact microcrystalline limestone. 

If you take a look at limestone, you will find some unique characteristics in it. You will see spots of shell formations, fossil like shapes, honeycomb or open texture streaks, pit holes, formations like travertine, iron spots or even grain changes. The presence of any of these traits makes the beauty of limestone as a natural stone unique.

Granite, on the other hand, is an igneous rock made of a unique visible crystal-like formation. It is primarily made of feldstar and quartz. It has mica to a small extent and may contain the additional minerals of sphene, zircon, apatite, magnetite and ilmenite. The granite surface is generally white or grey.  The dark crystals’ presence provides it with a speckled appearance. 

Granite is the result of the magma that cools down deep under the surface of the earth. In most continents, granite is a general intrusive rock found on the surface of the earth.  There is also additional evidence that granite can be made by regional metamorphism without a molten or liquid stage involved in its formation. Both natural stones are generally used in kitchen/bathroom countertops and capable of taking in a polish to keep shining for a long time.

Restore granite and limestone countertops with The Marble Man

If you wish to restore the natural lustre and glow of your granite and limestone countertops in the bathroom or kitchen, it is mandatory for you to invest in a credible marble and granite restoration company like The Marble Man servicing QLD and NSW. 

The professionals at Marble Man will perform a quick and simple restoration procedure that brings back the beauty and original shine of your countertop. The skilled experts are aware of the needs of limestone and granite and they deploy cleaning and restoration procedures that are safe and non-toxic. To contact these credible and trusted stone restoration professionals for your home, please click Here.