How to Preserve the Beauty of Natural Stone Tiles: Must-Know Maintenance Tips

Installation of natural stone comes with an even greater responsibility to maintain it regularly and restore it whenever necessary. Routine cleaning of marble, granite and other natural stones prevents damage and keep the stones in beautiful shape. The Marble Man, Australia’s top marble floor restoration company, specializes in restoring the natural beauty of stones through various processes and thus provides immediate solution to any stone surface problem so encountered. Besides, the Marble Man experts also offer valuable advice to the clients concerning protection of their natural stones from all possible damages. In order to maintain the natural stone, homeowners need to emphasize on three most important things, namely: prevention of damage, cleaning without causing damage and removing stains on stone surfaces. 

To prevent damage to natural stone, daily cleaning is must, though it is not enough to ensure future protection. Regular cleaning along with routine maintenance by stone repair and natural stone restoration professionals will enhance the value and longevity of your stone. Most importantly, try to prevent stain causing materials coming in contact with the stone surface. Put large mats at the entrance of the house to collect the dirt and soil from your shoes. These mats must be shaken and vacuumed frequently. Also, vacuum the stone surface regularly and ensure that the dirt and soil is removed.

Stone sealers must be applied professionally to prevent stains from penetrating into the stone surface. Resurfacing the stone surface will replace the dull, worn out stone by a smoother and harder finish that prevents staining. Also, it is easier to clean a smooth surface as dirt and grime do not get trapped into the uneven spots.

Another most important part of stone maintenance is cleaning it without damaging the floor. The best method is to use the right cleaning material which is a pH neutral cleaner specially recommended for cleaning natural stone. Remember not to use abrasive cleaners on the stone surface and nylon scrubbing pads as they are harder than marble and will eventually scratch it. Stone restoration professionals recommend the use of soft cleaners and sponges instead of thick cleaners as the latter will stick to the stone.

Wipe up spills immediately so as to avoid stains on marble, granite and other stone surfaces. In case stain has already appeared, try to determine whether it is water-based or oil-based and clean it accordingly. You may not be able to do this without the assistance of the expert stone restorers in Gold Coast. Take a snap shot and send it to The Marble Man specialists who’ll advise you what to do. Their professional team will examine the damage caused and will treat it effectively so that your stone is protected from future damage. In case damage has already occurred, it’s time to turn up to The Marble Man as their cutting edge techniques will bring back the old shine to your costly stone surfaces. Contact them today on 1300 627 626 for stone restoration and marble repair in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and several places in the NSW and QLD regions.

Things to Know Before Sealing Your Natural Stone Surface

Installing natural stone as a means for decorating your home and giving it a rich and elegant look is very common but, it comes with a price. Natural stones namely marble, granite, limestone or travertine are so delicate that there is a huge risk of them getting stained, scratched and etched unless regular maintenance procedures are adopted. Besides, once you install natural stone in your house, you have to be very particular as to how fast it undergoes wear and how and when exactly you need to seal or reseal it. To ensure your natural stone products will provide you with a lifetime of aesthetics and utility, a suitable maintenance program is vital.

Before we approach the issue of sealing, it is very important to note the exact function of a sealer or why we need it at all. Sealers for stone are all below-surface products and will not change in any way, the shape or form of the original finish of the stone surface. Nor will they protect the surface of the stone. They will only go inside the stone by being absorbed by it provided that the stone is porous enough to allow this to happen and will block its pores, thus reducing its natural absorbency rate. This will help prevent the stone from absorbing the accidental spills of the staining substances like tea, wine, lemon juice etc.

You might be unaware of the fact that mercantile type marble, original quality granite and travertine are not very porous and therefore should be inspected by a stone restoration specialist to decide about their sealing requirements. However, many versions of marble and the lighter varieties of granite are more porous and are sure to get stained if not protected with a good-quality impregnator-type stone sealer. In this instance it should also be kept in mind that a vast majority of stones marketed as granite are not original granite. Stones, which are being sold as granite are denser than real granite and hence might not need sealing. Some may even develop problems related to the sealer once you seal it.

In case you have a doubt as to how many applications are needed, you may have to consult an expert stone restoration professional. For some stones that are more porous than others, one application of sealer/impregnator may not be enough. In case of mercantile granite, two applications are recommended. To find out if your stone is perfectly sealed, spill some water on it and wait for approximately half an hour, then wipe it dry. If the surface of the stone does not darken it means that the stone is perfectly sealed. You may use this same test to determine when it is time to reseal.

The Marble Man, Australia’s best natural stone restoration specialist, offers its esteemed clients expert advice on the choice of stones and the most appropriate stone maintenance and restoration procedures.

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The Marble Man- Should Marble and Natural Stone Be Sealed?

If you are looking for ways to prolong the life of marble and natural stone, you can do so with the aid of professional sealing or coating techniques. Sealing/coating reduces the porosity of the material and makes it repellant to water, oil and stains. 

When you are looking for sealing professionals of natural stone, you will see that they will inform you on both the pros and cons of acrylic and topical sealers.  The right kind of sealant for your natural stone and marble will be determined by these professionals only after inspection of the stone surface. They will be the right guides to recommend the ideal sealant for your natural stone or marble surface.

Major Concerns with sealants

Some home owners have concerns about marble and natural stone sealants. Their concerns are obvious and the right professionals will address them effectively. Let us take a look at the major concerns that they face and how professionals handle them-

• Removal of coating- It is simple to coat a marble or a natural stone surface. However, the removal of the coating is very challenging.  It is important for all type of coating sealants to be removed and later replaced.  When you are replacing the sealant completely from the stone, it is very important that stripping should be thorough.

• Slips- Here professionals are called in to fix the problem. This slip issue in natural stone and marble is found mostly in flooring, bathrooms and pool decks.  When this issue is being rectified, professionals look into water features, climate and irrigation.

• Damage- There is cases where the marble or natural stone flooring is damaged and starts to flake and thin.  Here, you need to call in professionals to strip and replace the sealer on the whole floor.  This is a time consuming and costly affair most of the time.  There may be a possibility of a partial or localized replacement but most of the time it is not possible.

• Breathability- If the marble or natural stone has to be replaced, it is always prudent for you to call in a stone professional to check whether the stone is breathable or not. The stone should be able to permeate gas.

Protective Marble & Natural Stone Sealing with The Marble Man

It is very important for you to call in professional aid when you are considering natural stone or marble sealing.  Expert advice is needed to determine the time and the costs of sealing.  

In Australia, The Marble Man is the most reliable stone sealing expert that ensures your natural stone and marble surfaces are sealed in a professional way.  The Company takes into consideration the long term benefits and advises you on the costs involved. The Marble Man is a trusted name in and around Queensland and New South Wales and its professionals are friendly and customer-oriented. To contact them today, please visit (website) or call them on phone at 1300-627-626.