Spring is the Ideal Time for Cleaning, Polishing & Sealing Your Natural Stone Surfaces

The Marble Man is a professional stone restoration, cleaning and sealing company that specialises in services and products for natural stone tiles such as marble, granite etc. Our stone restoration works consist of polishing, sealing, repairs (including grout repairs and chip repairs), re-surfacing and stone cleaning using steam or chemical washing. We’ll always help you (both home owners and businesses) to preserve and maintain your costly investment in natural stone.

Decorative natural stone is not as hard as a rock – it’s beautiful and delicate, and should be treated with utmost care. Natural stone like marble can transform an environment and create everlasting beauty and joy; only thing to remember that it should be properly maintained and cared for. Proper care means deep knowledge on different varieties of stone and how it's used, and then applying correct products and maintenance methods.

The Marble Man has been in the stone restoration industry for over 20 years and can advise you on the daily routine maintenance to keep your natural stone floors, counter tops and tables looking amazingly fresh and beautiful. Natural Stone tiles are long lasting and will remain awesome for a lifetime if you routinely utilise the services of stone restoration specialists on the Gold Coast, Sydney and other places in QLD and NSW.

Even if you have not preserved your natural stone for a long time, we can use state-of-the-art technologies and highly skilled labour to rejuvenate your worn and damaged tiles. We make sure that your natural stone products give a lifetime of aesthetics and utility to your home or business establishment.

For safe and effective maintenance, The Marble Man offers a range of home products that you can purchase to keep your stone looking and feeling like ‘NEW’. Natural stones such as marble, travertine, and limestone have a delicate chemical composition and so will react with unsuitable cleaning products. So never compromise on quality while purchasing cleaning products, and once you know what to use, all you have to do is follow our stone care guidelines and your elegant natural stone surfaces will give you years of beauty and lustre. 

Our stone care technicians receive hands on, practical training on stone repair and restoration processes and new techniques around the globe. They continually improve and are kept up to date with the latest techniques and technology on natural stone care. We service: GOLD COAST | BRISBANE | SUNSHINE COAST | NORTHERN NSW | TOOWOOMBA | SYDNEY | CANBERRA.  Call our office today on 1300 627 626 to arrange an obligation free stone restoration quote.

Restore Your Dull Stone Surfaces with Professional Cleaning, Sealing & Polishing

Enhance the beauty and value of your house, property or other business establishments by installing stunning stone surfaces. Being the proud owner of a lovely home or office building, you must ensure that your precious stones get ideal care and maintenance by the best stone restoration specialists.

Marble, limestone, travertine, onyx and terrazzo benchtops, bar tops and vanities can become quite dull, stained, dirty and etched from acidic substances over time and need the sophisticated repair, stone polishing and sealing processes used by The Marble Man. You can always contact our expert technical team for post restoration care and maintenance.

The professional way to stop stains on stone is to treat it with a protective sealer as recommended by The Marble Man. One should understand that marble and other stone surfaces are porous and so water, oils or other liquids can easily penetrate the stone, leaving behind unwanted stains unless properly sealed. These stains look like dirty, dull ring and drip marks and can spoil the natural reflection of a marble or stone benchtop, bar top or vanity. 

By sealing the stone surfaces you will extend the life of your floor, benchtop or bathroom for many years to come. The grade of the sealer should be selected according to the type of the stone surface. The Marble Man team offers a huge range of sealing products to produce a long lasting stone surface that you will enjoy for years to come.

Before sealing, the stone surface is to be properly cleaned. Here also one should be careful in the selection of the cleaner as it should conform to the unique mineral composition of the stone. The Marble Man uses chemical, abrasion, and heat methods for cleaning the stone. If you go for cheap cleaners from the local market, it’ll break down the sealer, making the stone vulnerable to stains. Improper stone care and maintenance may impart a desired appearance initially, but it can cause steady deterioration and if continued for longer periods, may completely damage the stones.

The Marble Man offers custom plans for maintenance and stone care for both residential customers and commercial applications. Our professionally trained staff are available online and on the phone to answer your questions.

The Marble Man stone care services cover: Gold Coast|Brisbane|Sunshine Coast|Byron Bay|Sydney|Canberra|Newcastle|Central Coast. If you would like us to inspect your stone and advise on its repair or restoration, an experienced team member will visit at a time convenient to you and provide a no obligation, free quote. Call our office today on 1300 627 626 or email us to book your onsite evaluation. 

Day to Day Maintenance Ideas for Marble and Other Stone Surfaces

Marble tiles and worktops are amazing home decor items and they add class and substance to any room in your home. However, one has to be very careful about the maintenance of marble surfaces. Marble is a very delicate and soft stone, and as it’s porous, it is easily etched by liquids such as vinegar, tomato juice, wine, orange juice, etc containing acids.

Use only pH neutral cleaning solutions to clean your marble surfaces – remember, never use vinegar to clean marble.  To clean the marble countertop or floors, prepare a cleaning solution by mixing three tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of warm water. Dip a cloth piece into the solution, wet thoroughly, then wring out and wipe the marble surfaces. Applying a little elbow grease on stubborn spots may help, but never use an abrasive cleaner. Allow the surface to air dry for about two hours. Wipe with clear water to rinse and then use a clean soft absorbent cloth to dry it off.

Oil and tomato spillage is removed with a sponge, warm soapy water and a little hydrogen peroxide. For day-by-day cleaning of marble floors, we recommend dust-mopping with a microfiber mop or soft cloth, and use plain hot water if you need to get rid of any marks or spots.

Immediately wipe off any spills as they will harm the marble surface. Never use strong cleaning products available in the market for removing stains on marble as it may further damage the area with discolouration. Here is a homemade cleaner you can safely use on your delicate marble surfaces. Crush a stick of plain white chalk into fine powder and apply it on to the marble surface. Apply it smoothly and make sure to overlap each stroke. Let it remain there for a few minutes and then rinse it off with a wet rag. If there are deep stains on the marble floor or countertop, get professional help to remove them.

The bathroom marble floors can be cleaned with a sponge, dish soap and water. It’s good to clean the marble floor and shower surrounds when leaving wet glasses or shampoo bottles sitting too long. Wash the marble tiles once in a week using a neutral pH cleaner. However, if your marble tile is extensively stained or etched, it’s advisable to call in a company that specialises in marble and other stone restoration. Restoration of polished marble involves the removal of dark spots, stains, scratches or damages from the surface of the stone by means of mechanical abrasion (diamond grinding).

While cleaning a marble surface, use a mop or cleaning cloth that is not impregnated with anything and ideally free of polish, cleaners, waxes or oils. And for the cleaning products to be used on the marble surface, get some advice from the experts like The Marble Man in Australia.

Add Value to Your Home or Property by Professionally Maintaining Your Stone Surfaces

Marble, granite or other natural stone surfaces need regular polishing and maintenance to reflect their natural beauty. The Marble Man team uses correct chemicals according to the particular type of the stone surface (marble, limestone, travertine, onyx or terrazzo surfaces) to achieve the best sheen on your stone.  The state-of-the-art technology used by The Marble Man for stone polishing will bring a glossy and smooth reflection to your old tired stone surfaces by removing all the scratches, stains and scuffs.   

Polished natural stone benchtops and vanities can become dull, scratched and stained over time from cosmetics and incorrect cleaners.  These often look like white, dull marks that you cannot remove with normal cleaning. With the cost effective stone polishing solutions provided by The Marble Man, your precious stone can be polished to perfection and the fresh, new look and feel of your benchtops, vanities, or tile floors restored. The ambience of your favourite room will be returned and you will once again add value to your home or property.

Sealing is as important as stone polishing. Marble and other natural stone surfaces are porous and easily absorb liquids that cause staining. Sealing is done to protect the stone surfaces from staining that cannot be removed. It also makes the stone surface easy to clean.

At The Marble Man, our technical team are professionally trained on stone repair and restoration processes and are kept up to date with the latest techniques and technology in the field. If you check up the testimonials, you’ll understand our honest, flexible and reliable workmanship. If you would like us to inspect your stone and advise on its repair or restoration, an experienced team member will visit at a time convenient to you and provide a no obligation, free quote.

The Marble Man operational areas include: Gold Coast|Brisbane|Sunshine Coast|Byron Bay|Sydney|Canberra|Newcastle|Central Coast.

We undertake large or small commercial type stone repair and restoration jobs in your homes, offices or commercial buildings. FREE Call: 1300 627 626. 

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.

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. 

Specifications of Marble Floor Polishing and General Stone Restoration Tips

There is nothing more enjoyable than being welcomed by a mirror like marble floor in your home or office! Marble floors look beautiful and elegant but they become rough with scratches, stains and dirt over time. Polishing is essential to remove the foreign particles that have been rooted in the pores of marble. Polishing removes scratches and restores the marble to its original colour and appearance.

Why Floor Polishing Required for Marble and Other Natural Stone?

Over time, the surface of your marble floor becomes dull due to grime, spills, scruffs and scratches. When the original surface is thus spoiled, it opens the door to further damage. Stains caused by spills become more visible when the shine of the marble floor starts to fade. You can protect your marble flooring with regular buffing and polishing. Since this is a short term fix, you need to invest in professional stone restoration if you want to get better results.

Polishing protects your marble floor from future damage. The smooth and reflective marble floor after polishing will leave the visitors breathless. In addition, the cost of restoring and polishing your marble floor is nothing when compared to the price that you would pay for replacing it.

How to Keep the Lustre of Marble Floor Intact?

One easiest and affordable way to clean marble floor is by spray buffing because this method removes dirt from your marble floor and applies a layer of polish without using water on the marble floor. Stone polish is an effective sealant and therefore it prevents the porous marble to absorb stains and liquid spills. Buffing is not recommended when you wish to clean the marble floor yourself. 

Buffing and polishing require expertise and technical knowledge; therefore you are advised to hire an experienced stone restoration and repair company to do this job. These professionals will thoroughly clean the surface of your marble floor and then they will apply polish on the top layer. This will restore the original glassy shine and will provide much more dazzling appearance to your marble floor.

Professional stone restoration is not a single step process. It is quite detailed and is useful to maintain the shine of marble surfaces. Here are some simple everyday tips that can help you to keep your marble floor polished:

• Use mildest detergent to clean your polished marble floor.
• Always try to dry the polished marble floor after washing because it will prevent soiled water from running over the marble and dirtying it again.
• Ask from your stone restoration specialist about the best sealer that can be used to protect your marble floor.
• Change the water of your bucket when it becomes dirty while cleaning or else you will just move the dirt from one place to another part of your marble floor.
• When anything such as tea, coffee or red wine spills on the marble floor, wipe it out immediately. This will prevent staining your floor if you manage to remove it on time.

In the end, just make sure to keep a regular professional marble polishing schedule so as to make your floor last longer and always look dazzling. For further details, visit The Marble Man, Australia’s No.1 stone restoration and repair specialist or call them right now on 1300 627 626 for a free quote. 

Italian Marble Outdoor Fireplaces – Installation and Maintenance Tips

You will find there are several shops that give you Italian marble outdoor fireplaces unique and appealing in looks. Italian marble has the benefits of being durable. It can be cleaned up easily too. Many homeowners also use Italian marble for their floors. The fireplace models available in the market are easy to install. 

Italian marble adds great aesthetic value to our homes and when you are about to install an outdoor fireplace made of this special marble, there are certain things you have to take care of. They have been listed below:

• When you have decided to install an Italian marble fireplace in your home, it is important to determine the right location for it.
• Check and find out shops in the area or online that sell the best products.
• Always select top quality products. The costs may be high but in the long run you get a durable and better-looking product.
• You may check stores during the holiday season as many of them provide attractive discounts. You will save money on good products.
• When you are about to buy Italian marble fireplaces for your home, ask experts. You should ask them for feedback on quality and design.

Italian Marble- Some Interesting Facts

Italian marble can be shaped and moulded into any design. This is the biggest advantage of this type of marble. When you are choosing the marble for the outdoor fireplace, it should be sturdy enough to withstand the climate of the area- both heat and cold. Italian marble for your outdoor fireplace is a wise choice although the costs of its installation are expensive. However, in the long run, it is worth value for your money.

Several shops have a unique collection of Italian marble outdoor fireplaces for your needs. These fireplaces give your home a mind-blowing appeal. It is prudent to approach shops that are reputed and follow all building codes while installing your outdoor fireplace. Check reviews and only approach credible shops after reading real life customer testimonials.

Maintain Your Italian Marble Fireplace with The Marble Man in QLD & NSW

The Marble Man is a credible and reputed marble and natural stone maintenance, repairs and restoration Company in QLD, servicing Sydney | Canberra | Newcastle | Central Coast | Brisbane | Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast| The skilled and passionate experts here can be called to take care of your Italian marble outdoor fireplace to maintain its sheen and durability for a long time. The costs of service are affordable and the friendly professionals here give you valuable tips on how you can take care of your prized outdoor fireplace. To contact them, please click here. 

Things to Know Before Sealing Your Natural Stone Surface

Installing natural stone as a means for decorating your home and giving it a rich and elegant look is very common but, it comes with a price. Natural stones namely marble, granite, limestone or travertine are so delicate that there is a huge risk of them getting stained, scratched and etched unless regular maintenance procedures are adopted. Besides, once you install natural stone in your house, you have to be very particular as to how fast it undergoes wear and how and when exactly you need to seal or reseal it. To ensure your natural stone products will provide you with a lifetime of aesthetics and utility, a suitable maintenance program is vital.

Before we approach the issue of sealing, it is very important to note the exact function of a sealer or why we need it at all. Sealers for stone are all below-surface products and will not change in any way, the shape or form of the original finish of the stone surface. Nor will they protect the surface of the stone. They will only go inside the stone by being absorbed by it provided that the stone is porous enough to allow this to happen and will block its pores, thus reducing its natural absorbency rate. This will help prevent the stone from absorbing the accidental spills of the staining substances like tea, wine, lemon juice etc.

You might be unaware of the fact that mercantile type marble, original quality granite and travertine are not very porous and therefore should be inspected by a stone restoration specialist to decide about their sealing requirements. However, many versions of marble and the lighter varieties of granite are more porous and are sure to get stained if not protected with a good-quality impregnator-type stone sealer. In this instance it should also be kept in mind that a vast majority of stones marketed as granite are not original granite. Stones, which are being sold as granite are denser than real granite and hence might not need sealing. Some may even develop problems related to the sealer once you seal it.

In case you have a doubt as to how many applications are needed, you may have to consult an expert stone restoration professional. For some stones that are more porous than others, one application of sealer/impregnator may not be enough. In case of mercantile granite, two applications are recommended. To find out if your stone is perfectly sealed, spill some water on it and wait for approximately half an hour, then wipe it dry. If the surface of the stone does not darken it means that the stone is perfectly sealed. You may use this same test to determine when it is time to reseal.

The Marble Man, Australia’s best natural stone restoration specialist, offers its esteemed clients expert advice on the choice of stones and the most appropriate stone maintenance and restoration procedures.

Tags: marble and granite sealing in Gold Coast, marble cleaning and sealing, sealing of stone surface, stone sealing, marble cleaning and sealing Sunshine Coast, granite sealing.

Easy Tips for Looking After Marble Table Tops

The marble stone is generally used for tiles and floors in households. However, there are some people who use the stone for table tops or counter tops. This unique natural stone is a combination of silt, salt and iron. The presence of these 3 natural components together gives the marble stone a vein like pattern. This pattern enhances the beauty and appeal of the stone.

Tips To Look After Your Marble Table Tops/Counter Tops

Marble needs to be maintained on a regular basis to retain its sheen and shine. Given below are some expert tips to help you look after your marble table tops and make them last for a long time-

1. Remove stains and spills fast-When you accidentally stain or spill marble table tops, you should immediately remove them with a rag. Marble is a very soft stone and it can be damaged by harsh liquids like the juice of citrus fruits and soda. When you spill them on the marble base, ensure you use a good rag to extract the liquid and spotlessly wipe it off from the surface.

2. Baking Soda- For stubborn stains, you can use baking soda. You can put baking soda on the stain and allow it to rest there for three hours. After three hours, clean the table with a rag to remove the stain. Baking soda is a very gentle abrasive and ideal for removing stubborn stains from marble bases.

3.  Dry with soft cloth- Marble becomes dull when it is air-dried. You should always use a soft damp cloth to clean marble surfaces. When you do so, you should use circular hand movements.

4. Sparkle clean marble table tops with polishes- If you wish to sparkle clean marble table tops, it is very important for you to use a good quality marble polish. Marble polish adds a coating to the surface of marble and protects it when you clean the base. The wax in the polish makes the base shine and protects it from damage.

Therefore, if you wish to keep your marble table top looking as good a new, keep the above tips in mind. Marble table tops are elegant and they enhance the look of any room.

Bank on The Marble Man for marble stone restoration and sealing services

The Marble Man is a professional and cost effective marble and natural stone restoration company. They do marble repair and restoration in SYDNEY | CANBERRA | NEWCASTLE | CENTRAL COAST | BRISBANE | GOLD COAST | SUNSHINE COAST. It helps individuals look after and maintain the natural stone and marble table and countertops of their homes. The professionals are certified and experts in natural stone maintenance and if you need trusted professionals to come and seal , restore and maintain your marble top and bases at home, please visit their website.

Home Tips to Maintain the Sheen of Marbles

For several years, marble surfaces have been trusted for its beauty, dependability and sheen. In fact, it is the favourite natural stone for most homes for its blend of perfection and durability. You will find marble is available in different textures and colours. You can also find marble surfaces having a polished and non-polished finish. 

Marble comes in a wide range of shapes and thicknesses. If you wish to enhance the performance of marble benchtop or floor, it is very important for you to maintain and take proper care of the stone. If there is a minor mistake or flaw on your part, you can hamper its natural sheen and destroy its looks permanently.

Cleaning marble is not a mammoth task, however it does require regular maintenance. All you need is frequent care and a little effort. The costs for the maintenance of marble are low. The following are some home tips you can follow for keeping the sheen of marble intact-

Tips to maintain marble:

• Marbles are porous in nature and it has the tendency to soak anything dripped on it. Rough cleaning materials like acids scratch marble leading to loss of beauty. This means you should never use rough materials to clean marble.  Even vinegar has a mild presence of acid and should not be used to clean its surface. Marble is delicate and should be cleaned with PH gentle cleansers that do not harm the surface of marble.
• Marble that is non-polished is porous and has the tendency to stain easily.  Commercial sealers need to be used to prevent these stains. When commercial sealers are used, you should not use lacquer or varnish to seal the marble as it quickly peels off. Marble that is polished is less porous however its surface can be stained if not maintained regularly. A commercial marble sealer is recommended for this kind of surface finish if you have one.
• If you have marble floors, you can damp mop the surface either by using clean and clear water mixed with a gentle all purpose floor cleaning solution.  You can also use a fabric softener with ½ a gallon of water. If you accidentally spill anything on the marble flooring, you should wipe it off immediately with a damp cloth so that the stain does not become stubborn and hard to remove. While you are wiping marble, it is very important for you to use a rag that is damp. Hot water should not be used and the surface of marble should not be scrubbed. If hard materials fall on marble, you should use a gentle scrubber. Soak it with a mild detergent however ensure you do not use abrasive materials like hydrogen peroxide, acetone or clear ammonia.

Professional marble stone cleaning with The Marble Man 

If you are looking for professional marble stone cleaning services in QLD and NSW, you can opt for The Marble Man. Here, trusted professionals will come and clean any kind of marble or other natural stone surfaces for your home or commercial premises. Their services are of high quality and affordable. 
To know more, please contact The Marble Man.