Never Let Inexperienced People Handle and Spoil Your Costly Stone Surfaces

Marble, granite and other stones are natural, elegant and have a timelessness that is hard to surpass with other flooring options. Choosing to use natural stone in your home is an easy decision, but adopting the proper stone maintenance practice can be a little bit trickier.

Described below, read what happened to a person who had first appointed an inexperienced stone cleaning contractor and later had to call The Marble Man to restore the damaged marble floor:

"The Marble Man rescued my marble floor and restored its beautiful, natural, glossy finish…..," Ms Rita Fletcher wrote in a testimonial expressing her happiness.

“The Marble Man returned the glossy, beautiful, clean reflection I was hoping for. These guys knew what they were doing, arrived on time and even cleaned up after themselves.  I am so happy with my marble floor now that I’m going ahead restoring my marble bathrooms. Please read my experience as I used a cleaning contractor first and then The Marble Man to fix their mess,” said Rita.

Read further the full story behind Rita’s experience:

Rita recently appointed The Marble Man to polish a marble floor that had been polished earlier by a cleaning contractor.  The contractor was unskilled in stone restoration and used inappropriate pads under a machine and abraded the high points in the lippy floor and did not touched the low points.  This left the floor patchy and dull and in worse condition than before they started.

After 4 attempts to correct the damage, 4 weeks later, Rita finally gave up on the contractor and called The Marble Man. She had to endure arguments with the inexperienced cleaner over payment of the rectification and the original bill, which she insisted on being paid for.  Rita ended up paying more for the rectification of the poor work, than they originally would have paid us to complete the job professionally.

We are finding more and more such issues every day.  Please don’t let this happen to you.  Your stone surface is precious. The Marble Man’s 8 Point Satisfaction Guarantee makes the right choice for your restoration the first time.  When you choose The Marble Man you are choosing a contractor that has a solid reputation for over 24 years now in the stone restoration field.

Before you start decorating your home for any occasion, it is good to have a close look at the stone surfaces in the house – the floors, walls, benchtops, countertops, vanity, bathrooms etc. If you think they need a facelift, don’t worry about the time or cost. The Marble Man can do it pretty fast and quite affordably in a professional way. Give them a call today on 1300 627 626 for a free stone care evaluation and to discuss polishing your natural stone floors, benchtops, showers or walls.

Headquartered on the Gold Coast, The Marble Man stone care professionals service several places in the QLD and NSW region, including Sydney.

Kitchen Benchtop Selection- Important Guidelines

Selecting kitchen bench tops is one of the most crucial decisions that homeowners have to make as the choice has to pass the durability test for at least 10-15 years before the homeowner can think of its replacement. Natural stone has been flawless in passing the test of durability and reliability. 

Architects have been choosing stone as a superior kitchen bench top option for years now. Even today, the grace of stone is still continuing and with an increased momentum of adoption.

What are the Stone Options that You Can Use for Your Kitchen?

Today, there are wide varieties of natural stones that people are choosing for giving their kitchen tops an awe-striking look. Some of them are:

• Granite
• Marble
• Limestone
• Slate
• Onyx
• Sandstone
• Travertine

Most of these stones, especially Granite and Marble are available in a number of colours and patterns which give homeowners a good number of choices for making this long-timed decision.

Size is Important

Get the Perfect Fit Size: Generally, the kitchen tops run from 600 to 900 meters in size. However, if your kitchen top requires greater length or width, it doesn't look good if you have some joints in the middle. It is thus better to ask the stone surface provider to measure your kitchen top size and provide you with a single stone piece custom-made for your needs.

Material, Pattern and Colour

For making this decision, keep aside your biasing a little and think about the perfect colour and material that can go well with the look of rest of your house. First decide what stone would be perfect depending upon the type of usage. Don’t think about maintenance at this time since every stone requires the same amount of maintenance to preserve its lustre. 

Next, look for the colour. Try to imagine the fit with the rest of your home including floor, wall paint and furniture and then make a choice. In the end, make the choice of pattern. Striped pattern with varying shades of the chosen colour is quite in trend.

Why Stone Surfaces Last Longer?

Here are 3 reasons as to why stone surfaces last longer and better in comparison to other options: 

• Robustness

As compared to the other surfaces like timber, concrete and stainless steel, stone surfaces are quite robust. This property makes them last longer with grace when compared to other options.

• Trendiness

Stone has been in trend since ages, and now with new patterns and colours, it is becoming an elegant choice found in most of the households.

• Easy Maintenance & Longevity

Maintenance of stone surfaces is quite easy. Regular cleaning of deposited grime along with time-to-time polishing is sure to give your kitchen top a new look. With any other material, cleaning can only make the surface last but not with the same grace as new. Stone surfaces do require some pampering time with regular cleanup and polishing but they sure look wonderfully new when maintained properly. 

For natural stone polishing, sealing, cleaning and repair, you can contact the most experienced professionals in the town: The Marble Man. Headquartered on the Gold Coast, they service: SYDNEY | CANBERRA | NEWCASTLE | CENTRAL COAST | BRISBANE | GOLD COAST | SUNSHINE COAST. Contact their technicians today on 1300 627 626 to have your stone inspected and get a FREE Quote.

How to Select Natural Stone Tiles for Your Kitchen?

Natural stone tiles are an integral part of any home’s decoration. In fact, you will find natural stone the favourite of many interior designers. Stone tiles are mostly used in the kitchen and bathroom. Marble tiles are very popular to use in the kitchen as they are pleasing to the eyes.

Marble Tiles for Your Kitchen

You will find many different types and sizes of marble tiles. They range from small to large sized tiles. There are several styles and patterns for you to choose from. Mosaic and Teakwood designs of marble are the most used tiles in the kitchen. These tiles are often used for floors but you can also find them on the walls of the kitchen, oven vanities and kitchen sinks.

Influential Factors

The choice of tiles for use in the kitchen depends on many factors like the size of the room, your preferences for its interior design and how frequently you would like to use the kitchen. There are many options available for you. You can hire professional interior designers to help you with the marble tile layout and style. If you have a good aesthetic sense, you can also do it yourself.

Popular Kitchen Tiles

Popular marble tile types for the kitchen are teakwood marble tile that gives the walls and floors of your kitchen a natural look. This type of marble is ideal for busy kitchens. It can be fixed on floors or walls.  The ideal colours for a kitchen are grey or beige or a mix of both.

The teakwood polished marble tile is another type of marble stone that gives your kitchen a slick natural appeal. It is very strong and durable. If your kitchen has heavy traffic, you can opt for these tiles. They can be used for both walls and floors.

If you wish to give your kitchen a modern and luxurious look, you should opt for the mosaic marble tile. This type of tile can be used with porcelain or on its own. The sunset marble tile also gives your kitchen a luxurious and polished look. When you fix these tiles on the walls or the floors of your kitchen, you get a warm and modern look.

Maintain the Looks and Durability of Your Kitchen Marble Tiles with The Marble Man

Marble is a natural stone that has its own unique charm and appeal. However, it is very soft and can be damaged if not cared for properly. You should maintain it well with the aid of trusted stone maintenance professionals like The Marble Man- a leading marble and natural stone restoration company in the QLD and NSW regions. The skilled professionals there will come over and give you priceless tips and service to ensure your tiles gleam and look their best. 

The Marble Man can also be called for affordable granite and marble repair and restoration services and stone sealing whenever needed. Contact them today on 1300 627 626 for your needs and give your kitchen marble tiles the care and long life they deserve!

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.

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.

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.

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.