Best Repairing Options for Chips, Scratches, Stains, and Unnecessary Joints & Cutouts on Natural Stone Surfaces

The Marble Man team follows cutting edge technology in the repairing of granite benchtops. We use the latest UV glues / epoxies and multiple types of resins to produce excellent chip repair results. These are especially applicable for repairing chips to Caesar Stone, Essa Stone and any other natural stone benchtops.

There is a huge difference between the results achieved by a Marble Man chip repair and common epoxy chip repairs. Check out our comparison chip repair to see for yourself. No matter what type of repair, large or small we have a product that will work for you.  All our repairs are coloured to match the particular granite, marble, caesar stone or other and in some cases the use of multiple colours and or the addition of crystals added to complete the best repair possible.

The main advantages here are that the repair stops dirt entering the chip and there will not be any trace of the repair work as the epoxy is filled to a similar colour to the stone.

Applying a Poultice to a Stain on a Granite Top

Applying a poultice to a stain is a method of attempting to remove deep stains from granite surfaces. This method involves applying a poultice paste to the stain and covering it with plastic wrap to seal the moisture in the paste. The paste allows the mixture of detergents in the mix to absorb into the bench, and when it dries back into the mix, it attempts to draw the substance of the stain with it. It should be noted that this method is only sometimes successful, depending upon the type and age of the stain, as well as the type of stone surface. Unfortunately because of the unknown nature of these types of stains no guarantees can be made as to the poultice’s success. It is normally possible after 2 applications to know whether the method will be a success.

Scratched Benchtops

Depending on the type of stone you have will depend on the method of repair. With granite and reconstituded benchtops, the repair can be quite difficult and a 100% result may not be possible at all the cases. With other stones like marbles and travertines, the scratch can be repaired by resurfacing or repolishing.

At The Marble Man, we Polish, Seal and Repair marble or other natural stone surfaces and our state-of-the-art stone restoration methods effectively enhance the richness of the stone surfaces and restore its texture to the original colour and glamour. Call our office today on 1300 627 626 or Email us to book your onsite evaluation and get your stone repaired or restored to its pristine condition.

Stone Care: Cleaning and Maintenance Needs of Marble and Granite

Marble, granite and other natural stones have been extensively used from floor to ceiling in building construction in many European countries from the olden days. Soapstone, travertine, sandstone, slate, terrazzo and onyx are some of the other popular stones available in the market these days.

Natural stone can be said to be a timeless attraction as it lasts for generations without losing its beauty. There are centuries old monuments, forts, and cathedrals etc. still in good shape in the world, which were made mainly out of natural stone.

Stone has a unique inherent beauty which lasts almost forever! It can be very effectively used in a variety of ways in all areas of your home. Because of its durability, stone is also utilised in commercial applications. Stone is mainly used on floors, walls and steps. 

Marble is typically used for room flooring, bathroom vanity tops, Jacuzzi tops and fireplaces. It is not generally used in kitchen countertops or worktops because it is easy to scratch and is acidic sensitive – we can’t think of a kitchen without ketchups, mustards, vinegars, etc. Also, the high gloss of marble countertop can get dimmed as many chemicals tend to etch its surface. In this scenario, granite, which is the 2nd hardest stone next to diamonds, is a better option for use in the kitchen. The advantages of granite countertops are that its polish is not subject to etching by household acids, scratching by knives, and could take a hot pots and pans.

However, as time passes, the marble or natural stone surfaces can get damaged in some way. Stains, cracks, and etch marks etc. can gradually spoil the beauty of your stone, if not periodically maintained. The Marble Man has a highly qualified professional team to repair and maintain your Marble and Stone Benchtops, Floors and Bathrooms. Our Services include: Polishing, Sealing, Cleaning and Repairs.

If you would like The Marble Man to inspect your stone 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. Call our office today on 1300 627 626 or Email us to book your onsite evaluation.

The Marble Man has a team of experienced technicians who receive hands on, practical training on stone care processes and are kept up to date with the latest techniques and technology. We provide service at: BRISBANE| GOLD COAST | SUNSHINE COAST | NORTHERN NSW | and TOOWOOMBA |

Marble Sealing and More Stone Care Ideas

The Marble Man is a leading service provider for the maintenance of marble and other natural stone surfaces in your home, office, or commercial building. Your stone tiles need special care and regular maintenance to preserve its beauty for years to come.

If you have installed beautiful marble or natural stone tiles as flooring or for utility structures at home, you need to take a little extra care to maintain the natural elegance of these stones. 

Marble and other stone surfaces are porous and require sealing to prevent staining. Staining occurs when liquid or food containing acid is spilled on the stone surface. The dull mark or stain could have affected a single tile or spread in to several adjacent tiles. Knowing the type of stain (organic, oil-based, etc.) will help identify the proper stain removal technique needed.

If you happened to spill any fruit juices, carbonated beverages, wine and even tea on the marble surface, gently rub the marble with a cloth piece dipped in a solution of hydrogen peroxide mixed with ammonia. If the stone surface is already sealed by a professional sealing service provider such as The Marble Man, be rest assured that it won’t get stained!

When you use vinegar or cleaning detergents which contain acid, it can also cause etch marks and stains on marble surfaces. Marble is delicate and should only be cleaned with PH neutral, gentle cleaners. It is advisable not to use locally available cheap quality cleaner which may result permanent loss of shining. At The Marble Man, we use several different sealers to protect your marble or stone floors, benchtops and bathrooms.

Natural stone is generally classified into two categories according to its composition; they are siliceous stone and calcareous stone. Knowing the difference is critical when selecting a suitable cleaning product. Consult with a stone restoration specialist to help identify whether your stone is siliceous or calcareous.

If you would like us to inspect your stone and advise on its repair or restoration, an experienced technician will visit at a time convenient to you and provide a no obligation, FREE quote. Call our office today on 1300 627 626 or email us to book your onsite evaluation.

At The Marble Man, our stone restoration specialists receive latest training classes on stone care processes and given on-job training on all the equipment and techniques available in the industry. We service BRISBANE | GOLD COAST | SUNSHINE COAST | NORTHERN NSW | TOOWOOMBA

Stubborn Stains Spoiling the Beauty of Your Natural Stone? Call The Marble Man Today

Marble, granite and many other natural stone surfaces are porous and can stain if they are not sealed and maintained in a professional manner. However, The Marble Man stone restorers can remove all traces of stains and other damages due to negligence. Get a free stone care evaluation of all natural stone surfaces used in your home or office. 

Natural Stone Stain Removal Guidelines

STAIN DOs

1. Identify the stain if possible as this will determine the treatment. It could be water based (some paints), alcohol based (wine, spirits, marker pen), oil based (grease, cooking oil), metal based (rust), organic (coffee, tea, milk, food, bird droppings, make-up, tobacco), or biological (mould, mildew, lichen).

2. Consult your stone care professional and tell them as much as you can about the stain. If you would like us to inspect your stone and advise on proper stone repair or restoration, call our office on 1300 627 626 and an experienced team member will visit at a time convenient to you and provide a no obligation, free quote. Or else, you may email us to book your onsite evaluation. Contacting The Marble Man is the safest way to avoid damaging your stone and to ensure that the stain is completely removed.

STAIN DONT’S

1. Avoid using chemicals unless recommended, as these may damage the stone or set the stain if not appropriate.

2. Avoid using heat especially on albumin based stains (containing protein) such as blood or milk as it may cook and set the stain.

What The Marble Man can do to remove stains on stone surfaces

The most effective and common method used by our stone care professionals to remove a stain from natural stone is to apply a poultice. A poultice is made with a powder and a special treatment product, which is determined by the type of stain.

The powder is mixed with the treatment product to form a paste, which is then thickly applied to only the affected area. It is covered with plastic wrap, the edges sealed and small holes made to allow the powder to dry. As the mixture dries it draws the stain from the stone and absorbs it.

After removing the poultice the area is washed with pure water and polished with a soft cloth and a cleaning product suited to the stone.

The poultice method is effective for removing common stains such as coffee, iodine, blood, chewing gum, ink, paint, rust, acidic liquids, efflorescence (a white substance which can develop on some stone), graffiti, water, mould, mildew, lichen, dull and coloured spots.

At The Marble Man in Australia, our team members receive hands on, practical training on stone care (stain removal, stone polishing, natural stone repair, restoration etc.) processes and are kept up to date with the latest stone restoration techniques and technology.

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. 

In Addition to Stone Care for Homes, Marble Man Also Manages Large-scale Commercial Stone Maintenance Projects

The Marble Man remains your favourite Marble, Granite, Travertine, Stone Benchtop and Tile Restoration Specialist. The team at The Marble Man will do their very best to provide you with professional, 5-star stone care services, including stone repair, polishing, sealing, and professional cleaning.

In addition to carrying out stone care works for individual homes, we specialise in large and small commercial type restoration jobs too. These also include large scale clean and seals at 300-room hotels. The Marble Man ensures that the best long term and most economical result is achieved for the stone surfaces it services. Over the past 24 years, we have completed many large scale stone care projects across Australia.

Palazzo Versace Hotel - Gold Coast

Some of the major stone restoration works carried out by The Marble Man are:

Palazzo Versace Hotel - Gold Coast -> Restoration of 154 Hotel Rooms

Gold Coast International -> Restoration of Foyer floor and 254 bathrooms in rooms

Sheraton Mirage – Gold Coast -> Restoration of around 154 bathrooms in rooms

Mariott Resort Brisbane -> Restoration of around 255 bathrooms in rooms

Varcity Lakes Train Station -> Final Clean and seal of 3,400m2 concrete paving

China Town Mall Brisbane -> Clean and seal of 3,300m2 of flamed granite

Sofitel Brisbane -> Restoration of over 250 bathrooms in room

Mariott Resort Brisbane: bathroom

We have a team of experienced technicians who receive hands on, practical training on stone care processes and are kept up to date with the latest techniques and technology. We provide natural stone Repair and Restoration service at: Gold Coast|Brisbane|Sunshine Coast|Byron Bay|Sydney|Canberra|Newcastle|Central Coast. 

If you would like us to inspect your stone 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. Call our office today on 1300 627 626 or E-Mail us to book your onsite evaluation.

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.