Stone Care Services as Advised by Australian Stone Advisory Association

 

The Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) is a not-for-profit organisation constituted for the ‘benefit of the public by the promotion of Australian Natural Stone and the coordination and sponsorship of events and ventures and endeavours in the Stone Industry in Australia.’

The main aim of ASAA is to provide detailed information about the generic characteristics of every type of natural stone which will be of great help to consumers and stone specifiers. It also intends to educate the consumers regarding the installation, care and maintenance of natural stone surfaces.

The ASAA conducted two seminars in Sydney in November 2016 delivering significant presentations at Rydges Hotel, Camperdown.

Colin Cass, Techtile Consulting, had done a presentation on the Stone Industry & Consumer Law which addressed the following points:

• An overview of consumer law and supplier obligations.
• ​What is different about the natural and engineered stone industries.
• ​How to minimise consumer complaints.
• ​What to do if a matter is heading to the Tribunal.

In the second presentation, Ron Powell, Architect Former manager, Minister’s Stone Conservation Program & Advisor to the Barangaroo Delivery Authority provided an overview of the project of the World’s Newest Barangaroo Headland.  The project plans to convert this former container terminal into a sandstone foreshore.

In this context, The Marble Man technical team wants to inform you that its Website has a treasure trove of natural stone care and maintenance information. The Marble Man was established in 1992 by Shaun Roberts, current owner and Managing Director.

The Marble Man has continued to grow since its formation and has now over 25 years of combined experience in the stone restoration service sector. It now has a team of stone repair and restoration specialists servicing, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Northern NSW and other areas throughout Qld, NSW and Victoria.

The Marble Man in Australia uses cutting edge technology and continues to update its equipment and services so as to provide quality service in the marble and other natural stone maintenance industry. You can call them now on 1300 627 626 for all your stone care needs such as stone repair, stone polishing & sealing, and stone cleaning etc.

Stone Care Services of Australian Stone Advisory Association and The Marble Man

The Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) is a not-for-profit organisation constituted for the ‘benefit of the public by the promotion of Australian Natural Stone and the coordination and sponsorship of events and ventures and endeavours in the Stone Industry in Australia.’

The main aim of ASAA is to provide detailed information about the generic characteristics of every type of natural stone which will be of great help to consumers and stone specifiers. It also intends to educate the consumers regarding the installation, care and maintenance of natural stone surfaces.

The ASAA conducted two seminars in Sydney in November 2016 delivering significant presentations at Rydges Hotel, Camperdown.

Colin Cass, Techtile Consulting, had done a presentation on the Stone Industry & Consumer Law which addressed the following points:

• An overview of consumer law and supplier obligations.
• ​What is different about the natural and engineered stone industries.
• ​How to minimise consumer complaints.
• ​What to do if a matter is heading to the Tribunal.

In the second presentation, Ron Powell, Architect Former manager, Minister’s Stone Conservation Program & Advisor to the Barangaroo Delivery Authority provided an overview of the project of the World’s Newest Barangaroo Headland.  The project plans to convert this former container terminal into a sandstone foreshore.

In this context, The Marble Man technical team wants to inform you that its Website has a treasure trove of natural stone care and maintenance information. The Marble Man was established in 1992 by Shaun Roberts, current owner and Managing Director.

The Marble Man has continued to grow since its formation and has now over 25 years of combined experience in the stone restoration service sector. It now has a team of stone repair and restoration specialists servicing, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Northern NSW and other areas throughout Qld, NSW and Victoria.

The Marble Man in Australia uses cutting edge technology and continues to update its equipment and services so as to provide quality service in the marble and other natural stone maintenance industry. You can call them now on 1300 627 626 for all your stone care needs such as stone repair, stone polishing & sealing, and stone cleaning etc. 

How to Choose the Right Natural Stone for Your Home

Get to know the qualities of different natural stones for using them at specific areas in your home. Stones have become an unavoidable component in modern home architecture.

Granite comes in very many different colors because of the varieties of composition and minerals within the rock. The granite at home is used mostly in kitchen and bathroom for making the countertops. They are preferred in the kitchen and bathroom due to the shiny finish and stain resistant qualities. The granite countertops are durable and need only minimum maintenance. Black or blue granite is the most commonly used material for kitchen countertops.

Another material used as kitchen countertop is Quartz. It is the second-most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar, and the third-hardest material.

Marble is generally more porous than granite and so more prone to staining. It is essential to frequently seal your stone to maintain maximum surface protection against spills, stains and etching.However, marble has such elegant beauty traits that it's widely used in Australian home designs.Marble is used on all surfaces and almost in any room in the house.

Another rock formation is Slate. Slate is a term applied to many paving stones, and it is the lowest grade of metamorphic rock, with a dull luster and strong cleavage. Slate’s natural form is thin planar slabs. Slate is also used for tile flooring in kitchen.

Similar to most other sedimentary rocks, the limestone is also made up of grains. It is found that the grains in limestone are mostly skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera. Limestone is ideal for making durable fireplace.

Get the TOP 10 TIPS for keeping your marble and other natural stone beautiful and durable. Call Australia's No.1 stone restoration specialists, The Marble Man, now on 1300 627 626 for a free quote. Their stone restorers service: BRISBANE | GOLD COAST | SUNSHINE COAST | NORTHERN NSW | TOOWOOMBA. 

Natural Stone Care and Maintenance Guidelines

Natural stones can be broadly classified into two categories according to differences in hardness. Marble, limestone and travertines types of natural stones are softer stones sensitive to acidic materials and vulnerable to scratches. Granite, quartzite and bluestones on the other hand are harder stones and not as sensitive as the limestone categories.

Stone care and maintenance

Harder or softer in nature, all stone surfaces need regular cleaning and maintenance practices to keep their natural beauty.

Limestone and marble requires a honed finish when used in the vicinity of acidic products, as acids can etch into the polish and leave dull marks. To avoid this, The Marble Man uses penetrating sealers which will protect the stone surface from acidic spills (lemon, wine etc.) that can enter deep into the stone through the slightly porous surface. The sealers thus help to preserve the natural look and feel of marble, limestone or sandstone.

Keeping the stone surface free of dust and dry sandy soil is the best way to reduce scratches and wear that occur from everyday use. Occasionally wash the stone surface with warm water and dry off with a clean, non-abrasive cloth, sponge or mop. Stone cleaning products can be used daily or weekly according to their strength. If proper cleaning materials are not used, your beautiful stone surfaces can get badly affected. Never use a cleaning agent that contains acidic ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice etc. or detergents that contain acid/alkaline chemicals that will etch or spoil the natural shine of the stone surface. 

Natural stone surfaces such as marble benchtops and floors need polishing to bring back their sheen - the floor machine, special polishing pads and polishing compounds can do the wonder to get a very natural finish. Newly polished marble or other natural stone surface needs to be treated with a solvent or water based impregnating sealer to minimise potential staining. A good quality impregnating sealer renders an invisible subsurface seal, penetrating deep into the stone and thus preventing staining from accidental spills or other causes.

Simple but important points to remember regarding natural stone maintenance:

• Remember to place small rug at entryways to trap dirt and sand from normal foot traffic that otherwise will scratch costly stone surfaces.
• Always wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining and to avoid permanent damage to the stone. Thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing. 
• Heat can damage your stones. Use coasters, trivets or mats under hot plates, and also under glasses, if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.

   
The Marble Man Advantage   

   Get advice from our stone restoration specialists by calling them on 1300 627 626 or visit our website to know what type of cleaning materials are to be used for a particular type of natural stone surface, and how to keep your stone in a spick-and-span condition.

More Stone Care Tips and Professional Help

 Marble and other natural stone surfaces that are regularly and professionally maintained will retain their magnificent look and feel for a very long time. This is mostly applicable for people who always care about aesthetic qualities and orderliness.

Stone Care Tips

Benchtops

Clean the stone surface with a recommended product such as S-P Cleaner and a soft damp cloth after use to avoid the build up of bacteria and substances that may scratch or etch the surface. Read more...

Floors

Sweep floors on a daily basis to prevent dirt from scratching the surface under foot and accumulating in the grout. Mop on a regular basis after sweeping or vacuuming. Regular attention is a must for proper stone care.

Showers

Remove soap scum from marble or stone surfaces effectively by using a recommended product such as Stone Deep Clean and a recommended white pad scourer only such as the  Scrub-a-dub. Dry the area as thoroughly as possible after cleaning to prevent the growth of mould and mildew. Stone care is to be taken seriously.

Outdoor areas

Sweep outdoor areas weekly with a medium bristled brush, as dirt can accumulate quickly and settle in the grooves of textured surfaces. Read more... 

The team at The Marble Man will do its very best to provide you with professional, 5 star service and effective stone care solutions. Our administration and sales team are trained and available on line and on the phone to answer your questions. 

Natural stones have different kinds of surface finishes offering different aesthetic and tactile properties. So these stones can be used for a wider range of applications such as kitchen countertops, bathrooms in your home, office or other commercial buildings. To know which type of stone finish is most applicable for you, and what are its repair and restoration requirements, call us today on 1300 627 626, or visit the website of Marble Man.