Why Do You Need Professional Stone Restoration?

 

When we decorate our homes and offices with preciously beautiful natural stones such as marble, granite, or even travertine, we tend to obsess over its maintenance, repair and restoration. This is because nobody wants to take risks concerning the protection and maintenance of natural stone, which is popular for its shine and vitality and the classy flavour it adds to our abode.

Being such enthusiastic users of natural stone, we are supposed to be very particular regarding stone maintenance and stone cleaning procedure and aware of various other facts related to such stones. There is a popular notion that the shine on the marble counter tops and floor tiles is achieved through application of certain chemical or polish, which is not true. The shine on marble is not externally incorporated; it is an inherent quality of the marble itself. However if the marble loses its vigour, its shine can be brought back chemically. For this you can trust The Marble Man who employs efficient techniques for marble floor restoration.

How to Get Rid of Dull Spots?

Often dull spots appear on stone bench tops and floors. This is because the polished surface gets etched away with continuous use or accidental spills of acidic materials. If etching is not attended to in time, the marble bench top may be ruined forever. If the etching seems to be mild, you can remove the spots with a marble polishing powder available in the market. But, if the etching is deep, it’s time for you to seek professional help.

Why Is It Necessary to Identify Stain on Stone Surface?

Identification of stain is important for various reasons. Firstly, if we proceed to clean or remove any particular stain without identifying it, we might use chemicals that will possibly bear no result and even hamper the stone surface badly. Moreover, before applying any chemical remover, we should ensure that we are actually dealing with a stain. A polished marble may become dull or discoloured when it comes in contact with any acidic substance. This discoloration is not a stain but etch marks. Chemicals used for removing stains will not work on etches.

Why Need Professional Natural Stone Restoration?

Natural stone, when newly installed, have a glossy finish that adds to the elegance of the room decor. However, with regular use, this finish tends to lose its lustre and put on a dim and dull look. This creates problem because, the reason why we use natural stone in the first place does not then seem to hold any meaning at all.

Natural stone restoration professionals have the knowledge, experience and tools to repair the worn out stones and restore its original glory. They remove scratches and deep etch by mechanical abrasion or diamond grinding. Stone restoration professionals can remove the deep rooted stains and polish the surface, thus giving a bright new look altogether. 

For any matter related to natural stone repair and restoration, you may consult The Marble Man and thus save your stone from permanent damage. Call them today on 1300 627 626.

Stubborn Stains Spoiling the Beauty of Your Natural Stone? Call The Marble Man Today

Marble, granite and many other natural stone surfaces are porous and can stain if they are not sealed and maintained in a professional manner. However, The Marble Man stone restorers can remove all traces of stains and other damages due to negligence. Get a free stone care evaluation of all natural stone surfaces used in your home or office. 

Natural Stone Stain Removal Guidelines

STAIN DOs

1. Identify the stain if possible as this will determine the treatment. It could be water based (some paints), alcohol based (wine, spirits, marker pen), oil based (grease, cooking oil), metal based (rust), organic (coffee, tea, milk, food, bird droppings, make-up, tobacco), or biological (mould, mildew, lichen).

2. Consult your stone care professional and tell them as much as you can about the stain. If you would like us to inspect your stone and advise on proper stone repair or restoration, call our office on 1300 627 626 and an experienced team member will visit at a time convenient to you and provide a no obligation, free quote. Or else, you may email us to book your onsite evaluation. Contacting The Marble Man is the safest way to avoid damaging your stone and to ensure that the stain is completely removed.

STAIN DONT’S

1. Avoid using chemicals unless recommended, as these may damage the stone or set the stain if not appropriate.

2. Avoid using heat especially on albumin based stains (containing protein) such as blood or milk as it may cook and set the stain.

What The Marble Man can do to remove stains on stone surfaces

The most effective and common method used by our stone care professionals to remove a stain from natural stone is to apply a poultice. A poultice is made with a powder and a special treatment product, which is determined by the type of stain.

The powder is mixed with the treatment product to form a paste, which is then thickly applied to only the affected area. It is covered with plastic wrap, the edges sealed and small holes made to allow the powder to dry. As the mixture dries it draws the stain from the stone and absorbs it.

After removing the poultice the area is washed with pure water and polished with a soft cloth and a cleaning product suited to the stone.

The poultice method is effective for removing common stains such as coffee, iodine, blood, chewing gum, ink, paint, rust, acidic liquids, efflorescence (a white substance which can develop on some stone), graffiti, water, mould, mildew, lichen, dull and coloured spots.

At The Marble Man in Australia, our team members receive hands on, practical training on stone care (stain removal, stone polishing, natural stone repair, restoration etc.) processes and are kept up to date with the latest stone restoration techniques and technology.

Removing All Types of Stains from Marble & Other Natural Stones, Australia

Maintaining your household marble tiles is not an easy job if you are unaware of the proper steps to follow for removing each kind of stain. Here are some quick tips for the most common type of marble stains that homeowners generally find difficult to clean. 

Oil-Based Stains

These kinds of stains are generated when some oily stuff (like tar, putty used by plumbers, cosmetics, vegetable oils used in cooking or grease) dirties your marble floor. Your first step should be to clean the region with detergent used for household purposes. If it does not seem to work, you can also consider using acetone and mineral based spirits. These materials can be used with some Eco-friendly cleaning products for maintaining the luster of marble. 

Stains Caused by Ink Spill 

Ink spill leads to one of the hardest-to-remove stains if proper steps are not followed for the process. When such a spill has occurred on light-colored marbles, you can use acetone or thinner lacquer. On dark colored stones, you can use hydrogen peroxide or bleach. 

Stains from House Paint 

When there are small sprinkles of paint on the marble floor, you can scratch off the paint gently with a razor blade. You can also use a lacquer thinner for removing the same. However, if the spill on floor is large, this technique has little chances of working effectively and can even take up much of your time. Thus, for heavy spills, you need some heavy cleaning material that can be obtained from hardwood shops. Cleaning can be cumbersome but make sure not to use acids on the floor as they will wash away the luster and introduce roughness in the stone. 

Stains from Water Sprinkle 

Surfaces that frequently get sprinkled with hard water should be wiped and then polished with dry steel wool in order to avoid permanent stains of hard water. 

Stains Caused by Fire & Smoke 

Smoke and effects of fire sometimes degrades the quality of stones thereby making them appear darker and dull. Heavy use smoke removers can help in easy removal of such stains from surfaces and can thus save considerable amount of effort and time. 

Stains Arising from Biological Growths 

Fungi, algae, lichens, moss and mildew can lead to different types of stains in stones. For cleaning such growths, small amount of bleach, hydrogen peroxide or ammonia can be used with around a gallon of water. Take note to use only one of these substances with water. Do not mix ammonia with bleach. 

Though there are fixes for each type of stain that affects the surface of stones, yet for preserving the original look and shine of marble, there is nothing comparable with professional expertise. Stone restoration professionals are aware of the perfect fixes that can not only breathe new life into the stained or dull marble surfaces but can also prevent the degradation that the harsh cleaning products can cause. Plus, you get the benefit of saving time and effort. 

Call Australia's No.1 natural stone restoration specialists today on 1300 627 626 for a free quote.

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.

Stain Removal and Other Cleaning Procedures for Marble and Stone Surfaces

Marble, granite or other natural stones in your home, office, or commercial building help to improve the look and feel of the place. Natural stone floors, stone worktops and other stone tiles don’t need sophisticated maintenance procedures if they are properly looked after on a regular basis.  

Stains that occur on your precious stone surfaces can be broadly classified as oil-based stains (from grease, tar, cooking oil, cosmetics etc.), organic stains (caused by coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings etc.), inorganic metal stains (from iron, rust, copper, bronze equipment or appliances), biological stains (by algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi) and ink stains (from magic marker, pen, ink etc.). 

If you want to remove stains from the stone tiles by your own means but are not able to identify the stains, call The Marble Man on 1300 627 626 or send them some snap shots of the stained surface. An expert technician will guide you whether you will be able to remove the stain by DIY method or it needs professional help to do the same.

As said in some previous blog articles, here are some common points to keep in mind to safeguard your stone bechtops or countertops. Ensure that you put coasters under glasses, which carry alcohol or citrus juices. Trivets or mats are to be placed under hot dishes, and placemats underneath ceramics, silver, or other objects which will scratch the surface. Use non-slip mats or area rugs at door entrances and frequently used stone floor areas so that dust and dirt may not come directly in contact with the stone. Never use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners that contain acids on calcareous stones like marble, travertine, limestone, and onyx.

Visit The Marble Man website regularly to get updated about cleaning procedures and recommendations for your marble or granite countertop, marble floors, stone floors, bathroom tiles and stone surfaces in the exterior of the house.

There are different cleaning materials for siliceous stones (such as granite, slate, sandstone, quartzite, brownstone, and bluestone) and calcareous stones (such as marble, travertine, limestone, and onyx) because their crystal structures and chemical combinations are quite dissimilar.

The Marble Man is not only the No.1 stone restoration specialist in Australia, but they are also the authoritative source of information on standards of workmanship and natural stone maintenance practices. They also market a wide range of stone care products and have certain guidelines for their application.

Simple Procedures to Remove Different Stains on Natural Stone Surfaces

Most people are having the biggest fear of maintaining the natural stone. Like any other type of counter tops made of materials like wood, natural stone also requires same level of maintenance and care.

Granite counter tops are comparatively strong and resilient to stains. As a preventive measure immediately wipe off the spills on the counter top. Do not leave the spills overnight. They are prone to stain by oil or acidic materials so blot these spills soon. The following tips can help you to remove different type of stains on the natural stone counter tops: 

• Spills and stains: Use a paper towel to blot the spill immediately. Wiping will spread the stain. Flush with mild soap and plain water several times. Dry the area using soft cloth. Repeat it till all traces of spilled liquid is removed. 
• Stain Removal: First of all identify the type of stain.  If you do not know the cause for the stain, play detective and identify. Is the stain near a plant, whether any cosmetics used, any food service area, what colour, shape and pattern? You may also take a snap shot of the stain and send it to The Marble Man who’ll advise you what action is needed. 
• Surface stains can be easily removed using appropriate cleaning product or chemicals. Deep seated stubborn stains require poultice or professional stone restoration service. We shall see how to deal with different stains using appropriate household chemicals or by preparing and applying a poultice.   

Types of Stain and cleaning procedures

• Oil based stain- It may be caused by grease, milk, cosmetics and cooking oil:. Use soft cleanser liquid with bleach OR mineral spirits OR ammonia OR acetone. 
• Organic stains- It may be caused by coffee, paper, food, urine, tobacco, fruit, bark, bird droppings. It may be pinkish brown. If happened outdoors, mostly it’ll get removed by sun and rain. If indoors, use 12% hydrogen peroxide and few drops of ammonia. 
• Metal: Metal stains can be removed with a poultice. Deep seated stains of rust are extremely difficult to remove and needs professional service. 
• Biological stain: Algae, moss, fungi, lichens and mildew cause this stain for which use diluted ammonia Or Hydrogen peroxide Or bleach. Do not mix ammonia with bleach as this creates a lethal and toxic gas emission. 
• Ink stain: It may be caused by ink, magic marker or any pen. Clean with acetone or lacquer thinner for dark coloured stones; use hydrogen peroxide or bleach for light coloured stone. 
• Paint: Small amount of stain with paints can be removed by carefully scrapping with razor blade or using lacquer thinner. Heavy paint stains can be removed with heavy liquid stripper available in paint / hardware stores. Follow the manufacturer directions; do the work in ventilated area with rubber gloves. Acrylic paints or latex will not cause any stains; only oil based paints, putty, linseed oil and sealants cause stains. 
• Water spots and rings: This is caused by accumulation of water on the surface and should be attempted by stone restoration experts like The Marble Man who service the QLD and NSW regions.  
• Etch Marks: They are caused by spilling acidic materials on the stone surface. Contact stone care specialists in the Gold Coast, Sydney, Newcastle etc such as The Marble Man for efficiently removing etch marks.  

The well experienced team of professionals at The Marble Man can do all types of stone repair, stone maintenance, stone countertop repair, natural stone restoration etc. Call them now on 1300 627 626.