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. 

Don't Heed to Rumours About Natural Stones

If you are planning a smaller natural stone restoration/remodelling project such as a bathroom remodel (including a vanity top, or a bar top addition), or may be adding a granite fireplace surrounds, then you need not to take a full stone slab from a supplier. You may look for other providers of partial slabs which are the left over portion from a full slab, after a job is cut. Here the advantage is that you can save some money as you’ll be paying for the exact square footage that is actually required for your smaller job.

Don’t believe everything that you see about natural stones such as their usage, cost, maintenance etc. on various online sources via the internet. Some are only half truth as they might not have been written by stone care or maintenance experts.  One misleading point is that many sources say granite stains easily. Actually 90% of granite varieties are resistant to staining – only thing that there are a few colour variations (subtle blues, greens and greys) that are more porous than others and may require sealing more often.

Another false claim we see in the internet sources is that granite counter tops harbor bacteria. Actually natural granite countertops are cleaner than many commonly found countertop surface materials. Some companies misguide consumers, saying granite scratches easily in order to help them sell a competing product. Also did you know that many varieties of granite are less expensive than “quartz” products, contrary to some misleading claims in the net?!

One thing we should keep in mind that nothing can replace the beauty and quality of natural stones when they are used in our home or office. The use and popularity of natural stone surfaces has been consistent from time immemorial and natural stones fit in easily with any modern design.