Ask the Experts and Get to Know Your Stone for Ideal Preventative Stone Care

It’s good to have some understanding of the geological classification and composition of natural stone surfaces for you to select the proper cleaning products and follow the correct maintenance procedures. Be in touch with reputable stone care professionals in Australia to know the characteristics of natural stone- its limitations and usual longevity, precautions to avoid wear and damage, whether it is soft, hard, porous or easily scratched and what chemicals will affect it.

Your stone surfaces – marble or other natural stone - should be treated on a daily and long-term basis and they also need professional resealing, repolishing or deep cleaning to get the longest life and preserve the beauty.

Sealing is a common step taken on some stones as an extra precaution against staining. Have your stone surface professionally sealed once it has been installed. Sealing with a penetrating sealer which soaks into the stone will help prevent staining, will reduce a build up of moisture and will allow easier cleaning. Topical sealers that rest on top of the stone can encourage moisture to accumulate under the surface and can change the look of the stone and are therefore not recommended.

Avoid placing acidic or chemical products on the stone as these can etch or stain (especially marble and limestone) the stone surface. Wine, juice, vinegar, milk, tea and coffee can etch some stone surfaces so the use of coasters is recommended. Soil and water trapped under pot plants can cause mildew and staining. High alkaline products such as soap, shampoo, perfume and aftershave can stain or etch. All spills must be cleaned up immediately.

Use a clean cotton cloth or mop to clean or polish the stone surface as these are gentle on stone and will not scratch it. The Microfibre Mop is ideal. If scouring is necessary, use only professionally recommended scouring products such as the Scrub-a-dub, and follow the directions given by The Marble Man stone care professionals. Using other scourers will scratch the stone and remove the glossy surface. Change the water regularly when using rinsing cloths.

Avoid wearing shoes on polished surfaces as even the smallest amount of grit on the bottom of a shoe will scratch a stone surface. Removal of shoes will prolong the life of a polished floor. If this is not possible then a good quality doormat is recommended to remove as much excess dirt and grit as possible. It takes up to 4 steps on each foot to remove grit from the bottom of shoes.

Place soft pads under furniture such as felt, as any slight movement of furniture, especially chairs, will cause scratching on the stone surface. Clean felt pads will help avoid this. Always lift furniture when moving it and DO NOT drag. Chairs are the biggest cause of damage to stone floors when they do not have pads on the bottom of the legs.

The Marble Man Advantage 

The natural stone surfaces used in your home or property make it stand apart from the rest by adding to its elegance and resale value. However, a dull looking stone tile will badly affect the look and feel of a room decor. Your stone deserves to be looking its best, and The Marble Man can give you a FREE Stone Care Evaluation. Take the frustration out of cleaning your dull, stained or worn marble floors today; give the experts a call today on 1300 627 626. You may also visit their website and send them some pictures of your stone tiles that need servicing.

Polishing, Sealing & Repairing Your Marble and Other Natural Stone Surfaces

At The Marble Man, we use latest techniques for stone maintenance so as to produce amazing results to tired looking marble and stone surfaces. We repair chipped, cracked or damaged marble and stone surface. We also polish and seal your costly stone.

The most common maintenance required to stone is to have the surface polished occasionally to bring the natural gloss back to the surface. Polishing of marble and stone floors and benchtops can make the difference between a dull looking bathroom or floor and a brand, dazzling stone surface.

You may use the Free Call 1300 627 626 to contact us and discuss your stone repair or even better Email Us some photos of your damaged stone surface so we can tell you clearly the results we can achieve.  All our stone care discussions and advice are free for you to use. Our strength is based on 29-years of combined experience on natural stone repair and restoration in Australia.

Marble Polishing Guarantee:

When we polish your marble or stone surface we want you to be assured of our quality and level of service. This is why we offer all our clients an 8-point guarantee.

Marble and Stone Polishing:

The Marble Man team offers a huge range of polishing systems to produce many different finishes depending on your requirements. They are enumerated below: 

• Kitchens and Vanity Benchtops
• Marble or Stone benchtop Polishing
• Marble or Stone Benchtop Honing
• Floor Tiles
• Marble or Stone Floor Polishing
• Marble or Stone Floor Honing
• Bathrooms
• Marble or Stone Shower Polishing
• Marble or Stone Wall Polishing
• Marble or Stone Vanity Polishing 

The Marble Man uses cutting edge technology and continues to update its equipment and services so as to remain at the forefront of stone restoration in Australia. We have a team of stone restoration specialists servicing: the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Northern NSW and other areas throughout QLD, NSW and Victoria. It is the largest specialized stone restoration company in Australia and continues to grow due to its reputation for providing quality service.

Cleaning, Sealing and Polishing of Natural Stone Surfaces

At The Marble Man, we employ effective polishing methods and use premium products. Our stone restorers provide latest diamond abrasive technology, top quality polishing compounds, and a special dustless grinding system which give protection from spills and foot traffic.

Professional polishing imparts a vibrant and natural glossy, smooth finish to marble, granite and all other natural-stone surfaces.

The advantages of stone polishing

• A liquid spill on a stone surface, that’s not sealed and effectively polished, gets absorbed into the stone layers causing stains and etch marks.  This will ultimately lead to costly repair and possible replacement later on. To avoid such situation, go for quality polishing which reinforces the protective seal, thereby forcing accidental spills to bead on the surface which you can easily clean up.  
• Providing ongoing protection against water spots and fingerprints reinforces the protective seal, Polishing doesn’t allow the formation of water spots and fingerprints on your costly stone surfaces.
• Another great benefit of polishing is that it prevents soap scum build-up on shower walls and tub surrounds.      
• The countertops and floor tiles become easier to clean after polishing.                

The Marble Man stone polishing removes all dull stains, stone scratches and etch marks. You will be happier ever to see the shine and sheen back on you stone floors and countertops. We do polishing on almost all types of natural stone such as Travertine, Onyx, Marble, Terrazzo and Limestone.

Polishing is done on Benchtops, Floors, and Bathrooms to make those areas looking like new again. First the stone surface is sealed with a high quality penetrating sealer. Sufficient time is given for the sealer to cure the stone before polishing is done.

Get a FREE Marble Man stone care evaluation today by calling us on 1300 627 626. Our technician will visit your place and discuss polishing requirements for your marble or other natural stone floors. The workmanship and the materials used by The Marble Man are the best in the stone care industry.

Natural Stones Need Regular Check Up & Maintenance to Keep Their Classic Beauty & True Elegance

Adequate stone care and maintenance will allow your natural stone surfaces to remain beautiful and last their full lifetime. There is a growing demand for maintaining and restoring marble, granite and other natural stone from all parts of the country.  

Polished natural stone floor tiles can become worn and stained over time and require stone restoration treatment. Over time these floor tiles will become dull and scratched and possibly have spills on the surface that cannot be cleaned off. These require professional stone restoration and polishing such as the ones offered by The Marble Man.

The stone restoration processes involve the resurfacing of marble and natural stone to regain their original perfect gloss - the restoration also includes the removal of stains and cleaning and sealing of stone surfaces.

Polished natural stone showers can become dull and stained from the use of incorrect cleaners and as a result become mouldy and dirty, as they are so harder to keep clean due to the dullness.

To clean the shower walls, our stone care experts use special detergents and scrapers to remove all excess soap scum from the surface of the stone walls and glass shower screens. Over time it is hard to keep up the cleaning of the shower areas, which is why it is a good idea to have them professionally cleaned every 12 months.  The floor is repolished using abrasives to remove the dull and etched surface off the stone tiles, which are usually caused by harsh cleaners. We recommend sealing of all stone showers after cleaning. This will help keep the surfaces clean and reduce mould growth.

The Marble Man provides excellent stone care service in the field of natural stone repair and restoration works for homes, office buildings, hotels, hospitals and luxury residential complexes and corporate facilities. We have the facilities and manpower for large and small scale stone repair and professional cleaning job.

We specialise in Polishing, Repairing, Cleaning and Sealing marble and other stone surfaces. Our successful and reputable business, based with head office on the Gold Coast, has been servicing Northern NSW to the Sunshine Coast for the past 23 years.  We have now been operating in Sydney, Canberra and Newcastle for the last 2 years.   

CALL us today on 1300 627 626 and book an appointment, so a stone care specialist will visit you at a time convenient to you and discuss Polishing, Sealing or Repair of your stone surface as per the requirement. We provide this stone care evaluation free of cost.

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.

Common Problems Associated with Natural Stones and Their Solutions

Installing natural stone to beautify our house is no less than a matter of pride. Natural stones such as marble, granite, limestone add glamour to the houses in which they are installed and give them an aristocratic feel.  These decorative stones are durable and possess the capacity to last a life time. However, if not installed properly and not maintained on a regular basis, certain difficulties will arise which might shorten a stone’s life.

There are some common problems which one has to experience once natural stone is installed. In order to retain the beauty of these stones, the home owner should always be aware of these common problems, how they are caused, what type of cleaners are to be used and the proper maintenance procedure. This will enable him/her to protect the stone and prevent wear and tear to a great extent. 

Let’s have a look at some of the common problems that a natural stone is subjected to and how are they caused:

• Wear or loss of shine- natural stone encounters wear due to which its shine is reduced. This mostly happens with marble since it is softer than granite. The bottom of our shoes is a major cause as it acts as sandpaper which wears the polish off over time. To prevent excessive wear, keep the floor dust mopped and place mats at every entrance to ensure that the floor is protected from outside dirt.
• Staining- staining is a very common problem with marble and other natural stones and is particularly created when the stone comes in contact with oil, acid, food, drink and rust. Once stained, stone repair becomes difficult, therefore, the best solution is to clean the spilled material immediately,before it gets embedded.
• Etching- etching is basically the dull spots that are created when liquids containing acids are spilled on the stone surface. Marble and limestone are more prone to etching whereas granite is acid-resistant and hence, rarely etch. Avoid using cleaners containing acid so as to prevent etches. If etch is deep, you may require an entire marble floor restoration.
• Efflorescence- it is basically the white powdery residue that appears on the stone surface. It is created when the stone is newly installed or when it is exposed to large quantity of water such as in flooding. To remove efflorescence buff the stone with clean polishing pad. Efflorescence will continue to appear until the stone is completely dry.
• Cracks- cracks in stone are created due to poor installation or excessive vibration. To repair a crack, consult a natural stone restoration professional to find out the real reason behind the crack.
• Rings or spots- water rings and spots are created due to hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium which are left behind when the water evaporates. These spots can be removed by marble polishing powder though, deep spots may require honing.
• Yellowing- stone may turn yellow due to embedded dirt and grime, waxes and other coatings or due to natural process of iron oxidation. Alkaline cleaners can be used to clean the stone but in case of iron oxidation; there is probably no solution other than restoration.

Many problems can occur to a stone surface and thereby it requires proper identification of such problems and coming up with the best solution. If you experience any problem related to your stone surface and want it to go through a proper stone maintenance process, it’s time for you to seek the expert guidance of The Marble Man, the most specialized stone restoration company in Australia.