Quick and Easy Tips for Marble and Other Natural Stone Restoration

 

We always want the best things for our homes and workplaces, but selection of the best marble for the floor, bathroom or kitchen often leads us to a state of utter confusion. This is mostly because we are unaware of the types of stones and marbles that would suit our home or even workplace as well as the way it needs to be maintained and restored. The Marble Man, Australia’s top Marble and Stone Restoration Company, provide natural stone maintenance and restoration services which are class apart and would definitely bring back the wow factor in your home and office. 

Marble, no doubt, is the best option for beautification as it is available in different attractive colors and wears an elegant look. But, it is far more brittle and sensitive towards chemicals compared to granite. It gets stained easily due to use of oil, acids or juices. Therefore, it is advisable not to use marble in bathroom or kitchen. If acid or other beverages are spilled, then such acidic materials should be immediately removed from the stone surface. In case the surface already gets imprinted or stained, polishing needs to be done. However, it definitely gives a feel good effect when marble is used for table tops, floor, shower or the surrounding of fireplaces though marble floor restoration should be done at regular interval.

Natural stone also absorbs unwanted chemicals and so it’s advisable to use a protective sealer which seals the pores and prevents any form of chemical or acid from entering into the inner layers of the stone.

Given below are some useful tips for protecting your marble and other natural stones:

• Immediately clean any form of spill to prevent damage to the surface.
• Use coasters under glasses carrying beverages or citric juices.
• Don’t apply cleaners that contain acid.
• Don’t use vinegar, ammonia or any kind of bleach. 
• Dust the marble floor regularly.
• Don’t put any abrasive product on the stone.
• Don’t place boiling pot or anything hot directly on the stone surface as it might crack the stone.

Coming to stone benchtops, they should not be used as a work bench. Clean the surface as soon as any mess occurs. If proper care is taken, the benchtops will look bright and beautiful for a life time.

The main reason why stone surfaces get spoiled is their improper use and lack of maintenance. But with The Marble Man at your disposal, easy and affordable stone repair and restoration is just a phone call away- Ph: 1300 627 626. Their expert technicians will not only provide useful advice for removing stains, but also deliver professional help whenever it’s required. 

Hiring The Marble Man to Restore Your Natural Stone Surface Is a Sure-Fire Investment

Great result obtained for The Marble Man's latest Cleaning Test on Travertine look porcelain tile. They regularly conduct new renovation methods and their technical team is kept up to date with the latest techniques and technology in the stone restoration sector.

It is a frequently asked question whether calcereous stones such as marble, limestone, travertine, or onyx are porous, and susceptible to staining from food stuff, or cosmetics. Irrespective of the finish given to the marble or other natural stone, there will be space between the crystal formations where water and oils can penetrate and cause staining.

All stones are vulnerable to scratching, but can be rectified if properly maintained. The Marble Man’s renovation and polishing works will maximize the natural beauty of the veining pattern of marble or other natural stones.

Normally after 2 or 3 years of installation, the stone’s surface shine will wear away with daily use (acidic spills such as citric juices and wine which stain or etch the stone surface) and require Cleaning/Resurfacing by Australia's number one stone restorers, The Marble Man.

When you hire The Marble Man stone restorers to maintain you stone surface, it becomes a sure-fire investment. You’ll get great dividends in the form of peace of mind and excellent home decor in return. Contact us for scheduling the cleaning, polishing, sealing, and general maintenance of your marble or other natural stone to keep it looking its optimum best. An experienced team member will visit at a time convenient to you and provide a no obligation, free quote.

We Polish, Seal and Repair marble or other natural stone surfaces and our cutting edge stone care solutions effectively enhance the richness of the stone surfaces and restore its texture to the original colour and glamour.

The Marble Man stone restorers provide  stone care services to the following areas: Gold Coast | Brisbane | Sunshine Coast | Northern NSW | Toowoomba | Sydney | Canberra. Call our office today on 1300 627 626 or Email us to book your onsite evaluation.

Know Your Natural Stone Surface and Its Maintenance Needs

Natural stone symbolises gorgeousness that has existed since time immemorial and your home or office decor can be enhanced with the same lustrous beauty if you look after your stone well. Occasional cleaning and restoration by stone care professionals in Australia will keep their natural shine intact.

Types of Natural Stones

Siliceous stone is a type of natural stone that includes granite, slate, sandstone, brownstone and quartzite. marble, travertine, limestone and onyx are calcareous natural stones and are different from siliceous stones. 

If you happen to be living in the house since a long time you already know what kind of stone is laid on your floor or kitchen countertop.  However, if you have just acquired a new home or office space you should get in a professional natural stone restoration specialist or supplier to help you recognize the stone type as each stone surface requires different cleaning agents and measures to maintain the glossy look. 

Characteristics of Different Stone Surfaces

Each type of stone has its own porosity level which makes some stones more sensitive than others. Siliceous stones are easier to maintain as they are more durable and are not easily scratched as compared to calcareous natural stones. The former will tolerate cleaning with an acidic cleaner but the latter will be ruined even if lemon juice, vinegar or other acids come in touch with it even briefly.  

Check for these clear signs that hint to the poor condition of your natural stone

• Uneven or cracked tiles
• Staining
• Worn off topical sealer
• Fading of gloss and shine

These important signs are pointers to the health of your natural stone and indicators that tell you why they are losing their brilliance and what needs to be done to restore their beauty. 

Uneven tiles mean that the floor below could need leveling, grounding or even honing. Sand, dust, grit and dirt that accumulate in the cracks on natural stones are its worst enemies as these cause abrasions on the surfaces making the stone lose its natural sheen. Stains and spills on floors and countertops are an indication which could point to topical sealing wearing off on the stone making it look dull and lifeless. Resealing could be required to effectively restore the spill and stain resistant potential of natural stone and give it back its glossy looks. 

Check for any loose and cracked caulk (sealant) in bathrooms or swimming pools as water seeping into the natural stone can change its colour and texture.  

If natural stone has given your homes and offices the perfect finish, it follows that the responsibility to maintain that finesse falls on you so you can enjoy the compliments and feel proud of those beautiful spaces.

Contact today Australia's No.1 stone repair and restoration specialist for professional stone care and maintenance. Dial now for a free call: 1300 627 626.

Spills and Stain on Your Stone Surface and Preventative Stone Maintenance Tips

Red wine and citrus-based mixed drinks when spilled can damage your marble and other stone surfaces. In such a situation, the stone floor tiles and countertops have to be re-polished so as to remove the stain and texturing caused by the spills. When called to solve such problems, The Marble Man first checks the type and depth of the stain using drip test and other latest techniques. If the spill has penetrated deep into the marble surface, a poultice must be used before doing the polishing.

However, prevention of this kind of damage to marble surfaces is not that easy. Application of penetrating sealers, topical sealers and Crystallization processes are not 100% fool proof. If the spill occurs frequently, the marble surface can be spoiled again unless proper care and maintenance are given periodically by stone restoration specialists like The Marble Man.

In areas where there are more instances of spilling of red wine, citrus based liquids, soda and coffee, it’s better to go for polished granite surfaces that will still provide a highly reflective appearance while being much more resistant to etching. Casinos and restaurants are specimen examples. Moreover, granite has a greater breaking strength and scratch resistance than marble and other natural stones.

Precautionary measures such as quick reaction to wipe out spills and keeping the cleaning materials handy are a must to avoid heavy damage to stone surface. Routine maintenance practices (such as the use of diamond impregnated pads for polishing, and specialized periodic maintenance by The Marble Man) are always helpful to extend the life of your beautiful marble or other natural stone surfaces.  

Help prevent the occurrence of scratching and fading on stone surfaces by attaching pads on your furniture legs. Special attention must be given to those made of metal as they might rust and cause stains too. Try to put mats on areas with heavy traffic to prevent dust, oil, and other contaminants from being in close contact with your marble or other natural stone flooring. 

Visit our Website today or CALL us on 1300 627 626 to get detailed information about our stone care solutions - polishing, sealing, repairing, stone surface cleaning etc.We will answer your questions about the care, maintenance and restoration of your stone surfaces drawing from our 29-years of combined experience.

If you would like us to inspect your stone surface 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.

Reference keywords: Preventative stone care QLD, stone care & maintenance Sydney, how to remove stain on stone, marble stain removal Gold Coast.

Stone Restoration Can Transform Your Old Stone Surfaces into Brand New Ones

Do you own a commercial or residential building? Are you planning to renovate your home? -

If yes, then you need to search for specific natural stones for floors, walls, benchtops etc. Selecting the material is indeed a tedious job, because there are several types of tiles and stones available in the market. Choosing one which suits your budget and purpose is confusing and overwhelming too. It’s better to take useful tips from experts in the stone care industry.

How can stone restoration make your home impressive?

We all know that things become dull and worn out as years pass by. Floors and tiles also undergo wear and tear after some years. Floor tiles, table tops, bathroom tiles etc. may start cracking when they are used repeatedly. Stone restoration is the process of restoring or repairing the worn out tiles, marbles, and limestone to a brand new condition. The result of stone restoration will be awesome! After stone repair or restoration, your old surface will look like a brand new one.

Stone restoration services require proper equipment, training and qualified professionals. If you are going for polishing or stone repair work for your home, you should choose the right company which has the latest equipment and specialist stone restoration personnel too. 

Usually a natural stone restoration involves any of the following processes:

• Tile repairs
• Stone resurfacing
• Polishing
• Cleaning using chemicals or steam
• Repairing the grouts and washing
• Chip repairing
• Sealing the tiles to prevent them from further damage

How is Stone restoration done?

Restoration of natural stone including marble involves the removal of scratches or damages to the surface by means of mechanical abrasion. It is popularly known as diamond grinding.

Restoration process may differ from surface to surface. Normally, natural stones reflect light and do not need much coating to achieve the desired finish. After restoration, polishing is done to give the surface the desired look.

Stone resurfacing ­­­­­

Stone floors may become damaged after years of repeated use. If you want to rejuvenate your floor tiles, stone resurfacing can give you the desired result. In this process, an epoxy stone coat is applied over the damaged concrete surface or the stone surface. One of the biggest advantages of natural stone resurfacing is that you can get a beautiful surface without removing the existing one.

How important is stone sealing in your home renovation?

Just like we use a band aid to protect our wounds from infection, sealing protects the stone surface from further damage. A sealer can prevent spills or dirt entering the porous surfaces which may lead to further discoloration.

Polishing

Stone surfaces like countertops and floors may start looking ugly after years of regular use. Polishing can give back their original, beautiful shine. A combination of abrasive powders and diamonds are used for polishing.

If you are on the lookout for natural stone restoration, you should always choose a reliable company that offers affordable, high tech stone repair services. You can call The Marble Man now on 1300 627 626 for a free stone restoration quote. They service: GOLD COAST | BRISBANE | SUNSHINE COAST | NORTHERN NSW | TOOWOOMBA | SYDNEY | & CANBERRA.

Natural Stone Production and Its Important Installation Tips

The beauty of natural stone tile adds timeless elegance to any home decor. Do you know where these stones come from?!

Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) has listed a total of around 90 stone quarries in Australia in the Discovering Stone Buyer’s Guide. However the actual number of quarries in Australia and the total volume of tile manufactured will vary from ASAA's data. The then ASAA director Jim Mann had said that he knew of a couple of operators (not in the ASAA list) there in South Australia that quarry stone on farms, most of which got sold to local builders and property owners. He added that in Queensland, operators were producing half a dozen different types of marble which hardly see the light of day in Australia, as virtually everything they produce as raw blocks was exported to China.

From the stone tiles manufactured in quarries, slabs are cut into standard tile sizes and thicknesses (usually minimum of 10mm for floors), polished or honed and sold to a distributor who sells the tiles to the end user. The end users normally don’t purchase tiles directly from the manufacturer or wholesaler.

Tiled Floor and Bathrooms (Marble & Granite)

A good tiler will:

• Check quality of the stone tiles for polish, squareness, flatness, Arris-edges and colour variation
• Where to place the stone tiles so the grout joints are in the correct place
• Check for the levelness of the concrete substrate to determine if a sand and cement screed is required or self leveling compound required to ensure a level stone tile floor is achieved
• Use tiles from different boxes when laying the stone tiles so that the different colours a mixed into the floor
• Ensure that a good water proofing membrane is used
• What type of tile glue should be used on the stone tiles
• What type of tile grout should be used on the stone tiles
• Thickness of the grout joints between the stone tiles
•  Ensure that a GOOD fall in the stone tile shower is achieved
•  Ensure sealing of the tiles with a high quality professional sealer. This is essential to keep them clean and stop unsightly staining. Check out our recommended sealing range  

Marble, Granite, Limestone, Travertine Showers

When installing tiles in a shower there are several considerations:

• The floor has a good fall towards the drain so water does not pool around the sides and seep into and behind the tiles. This is especially important where the glass meets the floor and there is no hob (step)
• Adequate waterproofing - best results are achieved if 2 membranes are applied – one below the tile to prevent leakage and one below the sand cement bedding as a back up
• Plumbing and fittings are installed before tiles are laid
• Floor tiles are laid before wall tiles so that the wall tiles sit on top of the floor tiles – this prevents water from flowing down the wall and under the floor tile
•  Edges and corners are polished and not sharp on shower steps or shelves.

Once the stone benchtop or vanity has been prepared to specifications by the manufacturer, the installer will fix the stone in position with special glues and resins. The end user must choose the colour of the epoxy resin used to fill the joints with the installer, so it matches perfectly with the stone. The wrong colour can change the look of the stone.

The Role of Stone Restoration Specialists

The natural stone surfaces not only add elegance to your home or property but also make it stand apart from the rest by adding to its resale value.

The dull, stained or worn out marble and other natural stone surfaces can be restored to their newly purchased condition by stone care professionals. Get a FREE Stone Care Evaluation today. Call now: 1300 627 626. 

Avail Marble Man's 8-Point Guarantee on Natural Stone Restoration Works

With over 30 years of combined experience in the field of natural stone repair and restoration, we’re proud to give you an 8-point guarantee on stone care. This way it’s assured that your marble, granite and other natural stone surfaces get the best Polishing, Sealing, Professional Cleaning, Repair and Refinishing when our technicians take up the stone restoration works.

The following are the summary of eight points in our natural stone maintenance guarantee agreement to our customers:

• We will improve your stone surface or your money back.
• You will not be left waiting around, as we will arrive on time.
• Our tradesmen will be tidy and clean up after themselves.
• Your stone surface will be easier to clean and maintain.
• You will get the right advice for the long-term enjoyment of your stone surfaces.
• We will provide you with a complete service, and offer you a full range of products for maintaining your stone surfaces.
• You will have a finished product that you will love to look at, walk on and use.
• We will answer your questions about the care maintenance and restoration or your stone surfaces drawing from our 30-years of combined experience.

Do you have dull, stained or worn marble or other stone floors in your home or business? No more frustrations – our stone care experts can regain the original beauty of your stone floors. Call us now on 1300 627 626 to get an obligation free stone care evaluation.

Our stone restoration team has the expertise to polish your marble or other natural stone Floor, Counters or Bathroom tiles so that all the stain spots and traces of stubborn dirt are removed and your stone surface will look like new again. Timely maintenance of your costly stone surfaces will preserve their beauty for many years to come.

Natural stone surfaces, especially Marble, are delicate and porous too. They can be affected by staining when come in contact with acidic materials you handle in your kitchen like wine, lemon and other citric juices. You can protect your stone surfaces from staining by professional Sealing which helps to protect their natural beauty and elegance.

The Marble Man stone care technicians are given adequate training as per latest stone restoration techniques available in the world. They can Repair almost all damages occurred on your marble, granite or other natural stone surfaces such as floor tiles, counter tops, and pillars or any other stone structure. Many people think repair is not possible and go for replacement which is costlier. So next time when you see cracked, broken or torn out natural stone surface in your home or business establishment, contact the Marble Man to see if they can be repaired.

We’ll discuss the appropriate stone restoration method such as polishing, sealing, or repairing for your marble or other natural stone floors. You may also visit The Marble Man website to get all the stone care and maintenance information.

Stone Care & Maintenance – How to Beautify Your Home with Stone Surfaces

Natural stone, previously, had several formal applications such as construction of churches, government buildings, monuments and even roads. Its application in residential construction for structural as well as decorative purposes has been recognized very recently. Now-a-days we prefer various types of natural stones such as marble, granite, slate, quartz for our homes not only for giving them a luxurious look but also because of the practical benefits it offers.

Real natural stones, unlike the artificial ones, are far more durable and last long with very little maintenance. Moreover they are resistant to heat and light, and can resist chemicals to a certain extent. In our previous articles we have learnt about the uses of various stones and the procedure of its maintenance. Now, we shall know more about natural stones and the ways it can beautify our homes.

Granite- The Most Preferred Natural Stone for Kitchen Countertop

One of the most preferred natural stones is granite, particularly because of its beauty and durability. It would be interesting to note that it is formed from one of the most common types of minerals and is found all over the world. Granite is second only to diamond in terms of hardness and hence it is highly preferred for countertops. Granite is available in some special colour patterns, which give it a unique look.

Get Rid of False Assurances on Stone Maintenance

We are often forced to believe a notion that a particular stone “doesn't require maintenance”. This can never be true. Everything that is created will undergo wear and tear, however minor it may be. So even if any company, supplying the stone, boasts of the stone as maintenance free, never pay heed to it and consult an expert for periodic stone care and maintenance.

Types of Stone Finishes

The most important benefit of natural stone is that it is available in various forms and colours. Your floors, walls and countertops can be given various stone finishes as per your choice. The various stone finishes for different areas of your house include:

Polished- This gives the surface a glossy and mirror-like effect after undergoing grinding, sanding and buffing.

Honed- Grinding and sanding makes the surface a little shiny and smooth. Instead of fine powder, coarse material such as diamond is used for this purpose.

Tumbled- The surface is given a rough and withered look with the help of chips and scratches.

Flamed- The stone is subjected to a very high temperature flame which makes it very rough with no sheen at all. The maintenance cost of such finish is low.

Sand blasted- Application of high pressure blast of sand gives the stone a rough yet tidy look with no sheen at all.

River Wash- Mostly applied to granite, it gives a non-slippery surface, yet maintains the coloration and structure of granite. 

Beautifying your home with expensive stone should be accompanied by expert stone care and maintenance practices. The Marble Man is Australia’s best natural stone repair and restoration specialist. For any matter relating to stone care such as marble floor restoration, stone polishing, sealing etc. or the choice of right stone for your home, consult them to get the best advice – Free call: 1300 627 626.