Monday, 4 April 2016

Stain Removal and Other Cleaning Procedures for Marble and Stone Surfaces


Marble, granite or other natural stones in your home, office, or commercial building help to improve the look and feel of the place. Natural stone floors, stone worktops and other stone tiles don’t need sophisticated maintenance procedures if they are properly looked after on a regular basis.  

Stains that occur on your precious stone surfaces can be broadly classified as oil-based stains (from grease, tar, cooking oil, cosmetics etc.), organic stains (caused by coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings etc.), inorganic metal stains (from iron, rust, copper, bronze equipment or appliances), biological stains (by algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi) and ink stains (from magic marker, pen, ink etc.). 

If you want to remove stains from the stone tiles by your own means but are not able to identify the stains, call The Marble Man on 1300 627 626 or send them some snap shots of the stained surface. An expert technician will guide you whether you will be able to remove the stain by DIY method or it needs professional help to do the same.

As said in some previous blog articles, here are some common points to keep in mind to safeguard your stone bechtops or countertops. Ensure that you put coasters under glasses, which carry alcohol or citrus juices. Trivets or mats are to be placed under hot dishes, and placemats underneath ceramics, silver, or other objects which will scratch the surface. Use non-slip mats or area rugs at door entrances and frequently used stone floor areas so that dust and dirt may not come directly in contact with the stone. Never use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners that contain acids on calcareous stones like marble, travertine, limestone, and onyx.

Visit The Marble Man website regularly to get updated about cleaning procedures and recommendations for your marble or granite countertop, marble floors, stone floors, bathroom tiles and stone surfaces in the exterior of the house.

There are different cleaning materials for siliceous stones (such as granite, slate, sandstone, quartzite, brownstone, and bluestone) and calcareous stones (such as marble, travertine, limestone, and onyx) because their crystal structures and chemical combinations are quite dissimilar.

The Marble Man is not only the No.1 stone restoration specialist in Australia, but they are also the authoritative source of information on standards of workmanship and natural stone maintenance practices. They also market a wide range of stone care products and have certain guidelines for their application.

Monday, 28 March 2016

Get Your Stone Surfaces Restored to Look As Good As New with Professional Restoration


“We are absolutely delighted with the results you were able to achieve repairing the travertine crack and the final finish.” - P Tucker, Noosa

“I just wanted to write to tell you how fantastic it has been to deal with your team. I have dealt with many people in the seemingly never ending saga of building our house and your company has been by far the most friendly and professional, your "nothing is too much trouble" attitude has been greatly appreciated... Your professionalism, timely advice, constant communication and care are to be thoroughly commended. The house was always left tidy each day, I was told what was happening and you took the greatest care with all our belongings. Thanks for an incredibly fabulous result and expert customer service.”- J Masci, Gold Coast

These are some of the mails we get daily from satisfied customers after exceptional stone restoration jobs done for them. For us, natural stone repair and restoration is a way of life and we get energised to do it with state of the art technology and nature friendly products.

When there is a repair or polishing work on your costly stone, never go for cheap contractors; call a professional instead. We’re telling this from our experience where we had been contacted many times to rectify the damage caused by unskilled people who initially tried to restore the stone. Stone restoration or repair is a very skilled process which can be efficiently managed by experts only. While attempting a repair, all areas around the work spot are to be protected to prevent any further damage. Also, the work areas are to be kept clean, tidy, and stress free.

If you want to look into more such remarks before making a decision on selecting The Marble Man for your stone restoration job, please read these testimonials. If you need to directly talk to us, this our FREE Call No. 1300 627 626. Our administration and sales team are trained and available online and on the phone to answer your questions. We can also send an experienced team member to inspect your stone and advise on its repair or restoration, providing a no obligation, free quote.

We’re proficient to handle Travertine, Marble, Limestone, Onyx and Terrazzo types of stones and can carry out a wide range of stone and marble repair and restoration work. Because of the range of products that we use, we prefer to complete tests on the particular material you have and inform you about the results possible.

Always remember that a regular maintenance routine is required to keep the natural stone in your home or business place looking its best. 

If you have some doubts about what are the products to be used for bathroom cleaning, visit our website to read some professional bathroom cleaning tips. Similarly you can find information on the website about DIY techniques and professional methods to keep the sheen and shine on your marble and stone countertops, floor tiles etc. Be in touch with our blog and social media posts to get updates on marble, granite and other natural stone restoration.

Monday, 21 March 2016

Preserve the Beauty of Your Natural Stone Surfaces with Simple Maintenance Procedures


The Marble Man, Australia’s No.1 Marble, Granite and other Natural Stone Restoration Company, provides natural stone maintenance and restoration services across the country. Their stone care and repair works are a class apart and would definitely bring back the wow factor in the residential apartments, offices, homes and hotel rooms.
  Proper care and maintenance will ensure that your natural stone surfaces will last its lifespan keeping its elegance all the way.

With over 24 years of experience, The Marble Man will provide reliable and affordable stone repair and restoration service so that your stone surfaces will always be looking like new. Contact them now to get Easter discounts on marble repair, granite restoration, stone cleaning works etc.

Marble, no doubt, is the best option for beautification as it is available in different attractive colours and wears an elegant look. But, it is far more brittle and sensitive towards chemicals compared to granite. It gets stained easily when getting in contact with oil and acidic juices. Therefore, it is advisable not to use marble in bathroom or kitchen. Marble can be generally used for flooring and for table tops and ensure that marble floor restoration is done occasionally.

Using innovative products and sophisticated machines, The Marble Man will get all stains permanently removed from your natural stone and restore its newness and beauty. If you have any difficulty in identifying the type of stain or finding its removal method, you can contact these stone care experts for the correct procedure. Natural stone also absorbs unwanted chemicals and so it’s recommended 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.

Always give attention to safeguard your natural stone surfaces. Accidental spills have to be immediately cleaned. You may take guidelines from The Marble Man team on the Dos and Don’ts of spillage cleaning. For hot cooking items, use hot pad, trivets, chopping boards etc. and for glasses carrying alcohol or citrus juices, use coasters under them. Never use vinegar, ammonia or any kind of bleach on the stone surface.

Coming to stone table tops or benchtops, they should not be used as a work bench. Clean the stone surfaces as soon as any mess occurs, and also regularly clean them with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. If proper care is taken, marble or granite benchtops will look stunning and last for a life time. 

Natural stone surfaces lose their beauty and get damaged due to their improper use and lack of maintenance. For stone cleaning, sealing, polishing or repair, contact The Marble Man who provides state of the art marble restoration and other stone repair works on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and Central Coast. Visit their Website or get an obligation free stone restoration quote today by dialling 1300 627 626.

Monday, 14 March 2016

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.

Monday, 7 March 2016

How to Preserve Your Natural Stone Surfaces Polished & Shining for a Lifetime


Does your marble, granite or other natural stone Kitchen Bench top or Vanity look dull, stained, dirty and etched from acidic substances? You should go for marble and stone floor or benchtop polishing, sealing and restoration. If you follow the stone care tips provided by stone restoration technicians, and also call them for occasional natural stone stone cleaning, polishing and repair works, then you can preserve your stone becnhtops, floor tiles, marble vanity etc. for a lifetime in excellent condition.

The fine pores in the surface of the stone overtime accumulate dust, dirt and other liquids necessitating cleaning of natural stone by professional stone cleaners. If you clean the stone yourself or call unskilled service providers, you won’t get the desired result as the work requires cleaning with stronger cleaners and specialty scrubbing machines.

Marble, granite and other natural stone surfaces are subjected several instances of wear and tear and exposed to other damages.

Smoke & Fire Damage: It requires thorough cleaning to remove the smoke marks. Only trained stone restoration specialists can use commercial smoke removers effectively.

Acid Spills on Granite and Marble: They cause etches or both etch and stain. After removing the stain, use clear water, wet the stone surface, sprinkle marble polishing powder, and rub with damp cloth or buffing pad attached with slow speed drill. Continue the process till the etch marks get disappear and the surface shines. It is better to contact the restoring company for removing the stains and etches.

Natural Stone and Efflorescence: It is the formation of powder on the stone surface caused by minerals in water. Use vacuum or dust mop the powder. Do not use water to remove as it may reappear. Contact the stone service people to restore it. The nicks and scratched on the surface may be buffed with dry steel wool and should be repaired and restored by professionals like The Marble Man who are experts in marble floor restoration.
                                                                                                                              
Contact The Marble Man stone restorers for top class marble restoration and repair, granite restoration and repair, limestone restoration and repair, travertine restoration and repair, and also the restoration and repair of onyx and terrazzo benchtops, bar tops and vanities. Their skilled and experienced technicians receive hands on, practical training on marble and granite polishing, stone cleaning and repair processes and are kept up to date with the latest techniques and technology.

Today The Marble Man team carry out more natural stone restoration and repair works in the QLD and NSW regions than any other stone care company in Australia. Once The Marble Man has finished the marble, granite and other natural stone restoration and repair processes, you’ll be excited to find that your stone surface has returned to its original beautiful condition. Call us for a free quote on 1300 627 626.  

Monday, 29 February 2016

Fixing Chips, Cracks, Scratches and Grout on Natural Stone Floors and Benchtops


How to Repair Chipped Stone Floors
The latest technology to fix chipped stone floors uses UV epoxy glue, which is similar to an ingredient in dentists’ tooth fillings. The advantage here is that you get better results with the hardest materials.

After a perfect repair by the Marble Man technicians, the chipped area won’t be easily recognizable as it will be colour matched, levelled & polished.

Benefits:
  • The repaired floor tiles become stronger than its original state because of the presence of high quality UV epoxy glue used in the repair process.
  • The menace of dirt entering the chip is completely stopped.
  • Epoxy’s colour matches with that of the stone tiles, making the repair unnoticeable.

Scratches and Cracks in the Floor
High-quality resin bond diamond pads and special wet polishing machines are used for repairing scratches. The work involves grinding the scratched surface and then using 1500 grit polish to further refine the surface. Next, a diamond polishing compound is used to bring back the original shine. This way, you get the best result without replacing the tiles.

Where there are cracks in the floor, we first apply a special coloured epoxy resin to the crack. Wait 5 minutes for the epoxy to dry, then it’s ground back to the level of the stone surface. The area is then polished to perfection and you get back the initial glossy surface. We use the epoxy with a similar colour to the stone, so the cracks won’t be visible at a glance.

How to Repair Chips, Scratches, Cracks or Stains on Marble & other Stone Benchtops
The Marble Man stone restorers in Australia have been given classes on new technology on stone repair whenever it’s released. The latest UV glues, epoxy adhesives and resins give the best result for stone chip repair. Chips on Caesarstone, Essastone and other natural stone benchtops can be repaired in a perfect manner.

Fixing cracked marble, limestone, travertine, Caesar stone or granite benchtops using top quality material and newest technology means you get awesome result for the money spent.

You can normally find chips in the edges of granite or stone benchtop in front of the sink and dishwasher. With The Marble Man, it can be rest assured that all your stone repair issues are solved with guaranteed result.   

Same way, cracks on natural stone bench top like granite can be seen in its edges in front of the sink and hotplate. However with Caesar stone and manmade stone, cracks occur from corners or joints also. We first add a support under the cracked stone benchtop in order to strengthen it and then use the filler to fix the crack.   

See some cracked stone benchtop repair works by The Marble Man. They service: SYDNEY | CANBERRA | NEWCASTLE | CENTRAL COAST | BRISBANE | GOLD COAST | and SUNSHINE COAST. 

Call now on 1300 627 626 to arrange an obligation FREE stone restoration quote or email us to book your onsite evaluation.

Monday, 22 February 2016

How to Deal with the Maintenance Needs of Your Granite Countertops


With increasing number of people turning to use natural stone in their home and commercial building, granite has proved to be the most preferred natural stone for its beauty as well as durability. Synthetic solid surface materials are no match for the richness and depth offered by real granite. However, people using granite as kitchen countertops, showers or flooring material are very much concerned about its maintenance.

Dealing with Granite Countertops
The diamond-like hardness of granite makes it virtually impervious to abrasions, stains and heat. It is not easily inclined to scratch or burn. However, it is very usual for any stone countertop to develop wear and tear after prolonged use. Due to daily use in the kitchen, chips, stains, cracks, or loss of luster may be caused. One may wonder if money needs to be spent again to replace the stone, or is there any other viable solution. Professionals dealing with natural stone restoration in Sydney suggest that no matter how big the damage, it is always cheaper to repair and restore granite counter-tops, rather than replacing them.

It is advised to avoid applying cleaners having any kind of acid or abrasive substance or placing hot objects directly on the stone countertop as it might cause discoloration. It should also be kept in mind that sitting or standing on the countertop can sometimes crack or break it.

Removal of Cracks on Granite
People using granite in their homes often encounter cracks on the stone surface and are more concerned whether it will cause greater damage in future. It is very important to note that calling a stone installer for the purpose of removing crack will not be a good idea. An experienced granite repair specialist in Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast is preferred for mending cracks. A person who has made such repairs before knows the products and methods required and won't be experimenting with them. A crack is generally repaired by filling with an acrylic or using a colour-matched epoxy to stick the pieces back together, which obviously depends on the nature of crack. However, the crack will still remain visible unless it is re-polished. Though you can stick the pieces back together yourself, the re-polishing task has to be taken up by a stone restoration specialist in the QLD and NSW region.

You’ll find that caring for your natural stone regularly is easy. All you need are some warm water, soft cloth and a mild dish-washing liquid to maintain your granite countertop. The best thing you can do for your granite countertop is to follow certain preventive measures by which your countertops will last a lifetime while maintaining a brand-new appearance. The Marble Man, Australia’s most specialized stone repair/restoration company, offers expert services related to installation, maintenance and restoration of your natural stones in the QLD and NSW regions, and many more places. For more information regarding granite or marble floor restoration, call their experts now on 1300 627 626.