The same rings true with stone. In most cases your stone will soil with use, wear from frequent patterns, and will need professional cleaning, sealing, and polishing. Furthermore, if you properly address future issues at the beginning, you will save yourself from headaches not to mention spending money later.
Differences in the Stone Family
Historically the practice to group stones together has been based on their behavior as opposed to their true scientific definition. Although there are typically 9 groups of stone, most are classified into two groups: marbles and granites. Most of us are familiar with Granite and Marble and have it in our homes. But there are other commonly used stones, such as Travertine and Limestone, which in the past 10 or so years have been used more frequently. Understanding of these two basic groups is extremely important when polishing. No company can begin to polish stone without understanding how the stone appears, behaves and performs in its group. For example, Granite offers completely different properties than marble. The key to successful Granite or Marble polishing is a company’s skilled performance. If a stone is calcium based, like Limestone, Travertine or Marble, then polishing performing will be similar to other stones but still not always exactly the same.
Granite is chiefly composed of minerals nearly twice as hard as a calcium stone like Marble. For this reason granite is usually more likely to resist scratches. In addition, marble, because of its main component calcium, is susceptible to acid cleaners, acidic foods, and some home cleaning products that etch marble. Granite is highly resistant to acids and it makes Granite an excellent choice for countertops in kitchens.
Some unknown reasons you may require stone polishing
Although most people choose granite over marble in kitchens, many prefer marble in their bathrooms. With some exceptions, foods and acids are generally non-existents in bathrooms. Surprisingly, some women’s make-up products carry acid properties. These acidic products chemically burn marble and will etch, or remove, the polished finish in seconds. Etching can be repaired by repolishing the stone. In case of etching, the entire stone may need polishing. In some cases only a professional can polish the etched area.
Causes of accidental stone polish damage
Common reason for our visits to clients’ homes is improper household cleaners’ usage. All forms of household cleaners are cream, powder, or liquid based. Many of these cleaners have harmful effects to stone, particularly Marble. Popular products like Softscrub and Baking Soda have abrasives that will scratch softer stones like Marble, Travertine, and Limestone. Other household cleaners for toilets, dishwashers, tubs, and tile carry acids which in contact with marble will etch it. While Marble will show harmful effects of cleaner’s acids, granite sealers are damaged by cleaners with high alkalinity. Correct household cleaners usage, especially when cleaning your stone, is a must.
Normal Wear and Tear
Wear is inevitable. Stone is no exception. Wear patterns will show in places used mostly often. For example, if you enter the house through the garage door day after day, over time the floor will show wear patterns. This will happen quicker if shoes are worn in the house. The soil you carry inside on your shoes has sand which is harder than most stone floors and will in effect scratch the stone. There are many ways to alleviate or reduce wear on floors: walk off mats in and outside every door is a great start. Taking some correct precautions will allow for longer lasting floors.
