Everyone loves the look of natural stone, but no one wants to deal with the maintenance. Luckily, knowing a little bit about how to care for your surfaces will help you to extend the longevity of your surfaces.
Here are a few simple guides you can follow to ensure that your natural stone always looks as beautiful as the day you installed it.
DAILY, WEEKLY, BI-WEEKLY MAINTENANCE
Water is the enemy of natural stone. Having surfaces professionally sealed regularly will help wick away moisture from the stone. As a result, moisture will not easily pool or sit on the stone. It certainly will not be absorbed easily into the pores either.
Even if the surface is sealed, you must wipe kitchen and bathroom countertops after each use and do not allow water to sit or air dry whenever possible. If left to dry on their own, mineral deposits from water can break down the surface of natural stone causing pitting and degradation. This is a phenomenon most prominent in limestone and granite.
Dust mop floor surfaces daily to remove residues from dust as well as pet hair and dander. If you have no pets, your dust mopping can be less frequent. This will help prevent soiling from accumulating into the pores of the stone.
Textured surfaces must be vacuumed regularly to remove debris from the grout lines and lower parts of the stone that a dust mop may not reach. Travertine in particular is constructed like Swiss cheese. Since the pores are so large, dust can trap easily. Regular vacuuming helps keep travertine clean over time.
Spot clean areas that get frequent use with the appropriate neutral stone cleaner and remove residues completely with a towel.
When wet mopping is necessary, use a correctly diluted neutral stone cleaner. Be diligent to wipe it up before it dries using a large towel under your dust mop head. When mop water is allowed to dry on the surface, dirt and soiling is pulled by gravity into the tiny holes and grout, and builds up over time causing the need for more expensive cleaning or restoration services.
Use felt pads under all furniture to prevent scratching. Protect your floors from wheeled chairs to prevent scratches and compacting holes. Light and medium scratches can be buffed out with stone restoration services. Deep scratches are harder to remove because they require excessive grinding. If you have a deep scratch to remove, show the experienced technicians at CATA to help determine what the outcome might be.
Avoid dropping heavy objects onto your natural stone surfaces. This can cause stun marks which occur when a heavy force crushes the crystals in the stone. Unfortunately, there is no way to remove stun marks.
HOW SHOULD I CLEAN MY STONE?
We recommend a pH neutral stone cleaner since it will not leave residue which can otherwise dull the surface. Avoid using any cleaners that could be acidic (such as those with a lemon scent) since they may damage your stone. Most importantly, a regular clean and seal by a stone restoration professional will keep your surfaces looking their very best.
EVERY SIX TO TWELVE MONTHS
Check your floor for holes and scratches and address the causes if necessary. Fix felt pads and prevent wheeled chairs from damaging the surface. The more damage that is caused, the more expensive the repair might be.
Check your surfaces periodically to ensure they are sealed so you have adequate protection. Many limestone surfaces are soft and can be very absorbent. If you notice dirt building up, call a professional to clean and seal before the surface suffers extensive damage.
Do you notice cracking near a sink or darkening of the stone? These could indicate moisture issues. The longer you wait to repair them, the more expensive and invasive the repair will become. Be sure to contact Cata as soon as you see issues like this.
When major spills, scratches, and other damage occurs, it will be time for stone restoration. Our restoration process removes blemishes and damages to make your stone look like new. We restore the stone to the desired finish and seal it to ensure it is protected.
CONCLUSION
Call CATA Stone Care and Restoration. We are here to help you get the most out of your investment long term by keeping your surfaces looking like new.