Know Some of the Potential Damages to Natural Stone Surfaces, Their Causes and Remedies

Granite, Marble limestone and other valuable decorative stones are highly durable and last a life time. However, if they are not properly cared for or installed correctly, it’ll affect their beauty and durability.  

Following are the most common issues with natural stone surfaces that may occur in your floor tiles, kitchen counter tops, vanity tops and other stone surfaces:

• LOSS OF LUSTRE:  High polish in the marble and granite gets lost due to wear of the stone surface by dirt and sand that are tracked by the shoes. They act like sandpaper on the stone surface and wear the polish off. This can be restored by stone repair and restoration professionals like The Marble Man.
• ETCHING: It is caused by spilling of liquids that contain acids, resulting in white spots formation on the stone surface. As granite is acid resistant, it will rarely etch, but marble and other stone surfaces are prone to etching.  Use cleaners that do not contain acids to avoid etching. Deep or large etching requires professional stone restoration services.  
• STAINS: If the stones are not properly sealed, stains can occur due to spilling of food, drinks, oil, and ink etc. Mostly they can be removed but tough stains need professional stone care services. Permanent stains can also occur but not often.
• EFFLORESCENCE: This is the white powdery residue which appears on stone installations where the presence of water is high. It is formed when water carrying the mineral salt inside the stone structure reaches the surface and gets evaporated, leaving the salt on the stone surface.  Remove extra moisture or water presence, buff the stone and leave it to dry. Seal the stone after all the efflorescence have gone.
•  SPALL, PITT AND FLAKE: Like efflorescence, mineral salts are the cause of this deformation. Instead of depositing salt on the surface, it deposits salt below the stone surface, and puts pressure on the stone making it to flake, pit and spall.
• YELLOWING: There are several reasons for a stone to turn yellow.  Embedded grime and dirt, waxes and other coatings may be the cause. Oxidation of the iron in the stone also causes yellowing of the stone. Only professional stone restoration specialists can set right this problem perfectly.
• LIPPAGE OR UNEVEN TILES: Lippage occurs when the edge of a tile is in higher level than that of the next one due to poor installation. The restoration professionals ground the tiles to flatten the floor.
• CRACKS AND CHIPS: Cracks and chips can occur because of poor installation and due to fall of heavy objects on the vulnerable corners. This can be restored by The Marble Man professionals using epoxy or color matched polyester.

Stone Restoration

Generally speaking, it is the process of restoring the worn out stone to its newly installed state. Stone restoration is a delicate process that can be done perfectly only by well experienced stone restoration company like The Marble Man.  It involves removal of any damages, scratches, cracks etc. from the stone surface using various processes such as stone grinding, honing, polishing and sealing as per the type of damage.   

The Marble Man is Australia's leading Marble, Granite, Travertine and other stone bench top and tiles restoration specialist. The team of professionals will provide you 5 star stone restoration services at affordable price. Call now: 1300 627 626.

Marble, Granite and Other Natural Stone Maintenance Procedures

Natural stone is one of the most sought-after upgrades in a home as well as an office. Providing both versatility and timeless beauty, it’s no surprise that marble and granite are the most popular natural stone option. They stand up well indoors and outdoors. These natural stones are are used in high traffic areas thus requiring regular care and maintenance.

Natural stone care and repair experts always recommend a three step process for proper care and maintenance of stone surfaces. This includes cleaning, sealing and polishing. Experts say that we need to clean our stone surfaces often. Even if your surface appears clean, the safest bet is to clean it daily and after every meal preparation for kitchen countertops. The most minuscule particle could have a detrimental effect on your natural stone.

The next step in stone care is to seal the stone surface frequently. Sealing stones such as granite frequently provides effective and maximum surface protection. On using a proper sealer, it will penetrate the stone surface and provide a long-lasting resistance against scratches and etches. The ultimate step is polishing which has dual advantages to offer. Firstly, polishing restores the beauty of a natural stone. Secondly, it reinforces the protectiveness of the seal and also prevents soap-scum build-up in case of shower walls and tub surrounds.

When is to apply a granite sealer and how often to re-seal granite & marble countertops are common questions. No wonder homeowners want to protect their beautiful and expensive property from unwanted stains. Not all granite or marble need to be sealed. If a stone cannot absorb anything, even an impregnating sealer won’t sink in. But the good news is if a sealer doesn't penetrate a particular stone surface, neither will a stain. Frequency of sealing and re-sealing depends on the type of stone and the quality of the sealer.

Many homeowners are tempted to use all-purpose cleaners or bleach to keep stone surfaces clean, but these types of cleaners may actually damage your stone permanently. Cleaning products that contain vinegar, lemon, alcohol or other acidic ingredients can dull the surface, reducing the stone’s luster and reducing the effectiveness of the sealer. Ammonia-based cleaners should also be avoided as they can cause the stone’s surface to get etched and scratched over time thus leaving stone resurfacing as the only viable option.

The Marble Man’s stone experts are specialized in the treatment of various stone related problems and provide 100% satisfaction though dedicated service. From granite repair, stone benchtop maintenance to marble floor restoration, you will find here all the top stone works under one roof. For more information, contact The Marble Man stone restoration team today. 

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