Are the most common of the natural stones to be used in domestic and commercial situations. Looking after these correctly will preserve their finish and prevent the need for expensive refurbishment of the stone. For more information on our stone cleaning and refurbishment services you may like to visit this page , or if you would like to read more about natural stone you may like to visit our sister site - Stonecare UK
We specialise in cleaning and polishing marble, granite, limestone and terrazzo floors or tiles and units made of these stones. We also operate a full care and maintenance programme for maintaining these stone types.
Do You Have Natural Stone Flooring or Surfaces already in place?
Are they in need of some care and attention?
Is your marble floor or surface looking dull?
Has your stone floor or surface been marked or stained?
If so then The Cleaning Services Group could be of help to you. We have specialists working on stone floors and surfaces who will not only restore your flooring/surface to its original colour and sheen but will develop with you a full care and maintenance programme for the future.
CALL US NOW ON 08443 940025 / 07901 592546
If you prefer you can email us your requirements or you can simply complete our online form
Our Natural Stone Care - Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair and Refurbishment Services are available to commercial and domestic customers throughout the UK.
Are You Considering Having marble, granite, limestone or terrazzo floors Laid? Or have you just had them installed? Then contact us for full details on their future care and maintenance.
CALL US NOW ON 08443 940025 / 07901 592546 or email us with your details of your enquiry
Starting of correctly will preserve your floors/surfaces for longer and prevent the need for expensive maintenance someway down the line. We can regrind your stone to return it to its 'new look' or in many cases simply repolish to achieve the same result at much less cost.
We provide our stone cleaning service throughout the UK but in particular to London and surrounding regions and the counties and regions of Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Essex, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Middlesex, Surrey, Suffolk, and South Wales.
If you have a floor or surface such as a tiled bathroom or worktop which is made of natural stone (marble, granite, terrazzo, limestone being the commonest) then we can offer a solution to your problem.
The problem may be;
Stains in the marble or limestone
Acidic 'burns' in the marble or limestone giving rise to dull spots.
Choosing the best type of stone for a particular location
Marble flooring losing its gloss
Marble becoming stained around sinks and toilets
Limescale build up on marble surfaces around taps etc.
How your stone should be looked after.
CALL US NOW ON 08443 940025 / 07901 592546 or E-Mail us your requirements.
Whatever the problem may be The Cleaning Services Group can find you a solution, and because of our expertise you can rest assured it will be the most cost effective solution for you and not the most expensive.
Stone does not always have to be reground which is the most expensive treatment simply because of the time involved and the expensive equipment that has to be used, namely diamonds, and these despite their hardness do get worn down and 'used up'. Their are many treatments in between that can be tried before this 'treatment of last resort', which are less expensive.
The most cost effective method of maintaining your stone in its good condition is a well thought out and practised care and maintenance programme. This can drastically increase the time your stone continues to look good. Ultimately all stones regardless will slowly deteriorate and require some form of refurbishment.
If you are considering having natural stone installed and require a care and maintenance programme or already have natural stone in situ then give us a call on 08443 940025 or 07901 592546 or e-mail us
For more informative writing on natural stone you can read some articles below, or visit our sister site - stonecare UK
Sealing Natural Stone (Marble, granite, limestone, terrazzo, slate)
The sealing of stone is quite different to sealing other floor types. When sealing wooden floors for example a protective coat is added to the outside. When sealing stone the pores in the rock , or the spaces between the crystals that make up the rock are filled with the sealant with no trace of the sealant on the outer surface.
The purpose of this process is to stop liquids seeping into the stone and staining it. A sealant does not protect the stone from physical damage as a sealant on another surface would..
So what is the best sealant to use?
Natural stone must be allowed to breathe. What does this mean, because stone does not breathe like we do. Stone is made up of a variety of crystals. Each crystal is made up of different minerals. The minerals that make up the crystallised structure of the stone determine whether it is marble, or limestone or granite. To maintain the integrity of these crystals they must interact with the air and the component parts of the air in particular the oxygen. Hence they must be allowed to breathe. It is also essential that any water that gets into the stone is able to evaporate by moving through these spaces until it reaches the surface and can evaporate.
Most importantly and a little considered aspect of stone structure is the interaction between the crystals of the stone and the many millions of bacteria that live in these pores. Very slowly research is demonstrating that bacteria would seem to play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the stone in ways that are as yet little understood. In order for these bacteria to survive and prosper the sealant used should be one that does not damage them but possibly promotes their activity.
Acrylic type sealants or impregnators should be avoided at all costs because they fill up the pores killing the bacteria and blocking completely the movement of water through the stone. This can ultimately lead to the stones cracking if the underside becomes wet for any reason. They are also very difficult to remove if excess sealant is applied and not properly removed whilst still wet. What you end up with is a covering of sealant on the surface of the stone which discolours and dulls it.
The best sealers to use are those based on natural products and made up of fatty acids such as soap. These can be applied in the normal cleaning process to top up the seal and clean at the same time. Any excess is washed off with pure water. Most importantly these fatty acids fill the spaces but not in a rock hard manner. Because fat is hydrophobic it repels water stopping it penetrating during any spillage so preventing absorption into the stone and subsequent staining. Being semi hard only it does not stop the natural movement of water through it so it can still escape by evaporation. Most importantly it encourages the bacterial population by providing another source of nutrient and a comfortable environment in which to live and reproduce.
Marble And Granite – What Produces The Shine
Many people make the assumption that marble, granite and other finely polished natural stones shine because a ‘polish’ has been added to them. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Natural stones are made of crystals. The crystals are made up of different minerals. Each mineral forms a different crystal shape. These different crystals interlock together to make up the stone. When stone is first quarried it has a very rough texture to its surface as it breaks along the crystal joints. By using a series of graduated grinders the stone is ground down. The grinders are normally made from industrial diamonds and to start the process a very rough one is used. It is the same principle as sanding down wood. You start with glass paper that is very coarse and gradually use finer and finer glass paper until you have a fine, smooth finish to the wood. With stone the glass paper is replaced with diamond studded pads and these get finer and finer.
What the grinding is doing is cutting the rough edges off the stone by scratching it and as the diamonds become smaller and smaller the scratches become finer and ultimately microscopic. What you end up with is a very smooth surface to the stone. The crystals have by a slow process of finer and finer grinding been worn down until on the surface they are all perfectly flat and smooth with each other. A perfectly flat surface will reflect the light uniformly and will look like glass.
Consider a mirror that reflects light uniformly giving you a clear sharp image. Make the glass curved or rippled and you get a less clear, less sharp image reflected back. The same applies to stone. If the crystals are flat then you get a perfect image reflected back and the stone looks incredibly shiny. Roughen the surface slightly and the reflected light ceases to give you a perfect reflection and the stone begins to dull. Any interference with the stones surface can cause this dulling to appear. It could be a series of minute scratches made by dirt or it could be caused by acid materials etching into the stone destroying its shine in that region.
To get the shine back the stone must be ground down again. Consequently the shine on a stone is not the product of adding some chemical to the stone but is a property of the stone itself.. The harder the stone the more difficult it is to grind but the greater degree of shine that can be achieved, which is why polished granite has the greatest degree of shine, followed by marble then limestone.
Natural Stone Flooring – Care And Maintenance
No other floor covering can surpass the beauty of stone flooring whether it is made from marble, granite, limestone, slate or the artificially made terrazzo. They all have a natural beauty that exudes richness. The alternatives; carpets, linoleum, laminates, wood and ceramic tiles are often cheaper and most people know how to care for them and maintain them. However they eventually wear out or otherwise become damaged and have to be replaced. Natural stone flooring should last for several lifetimes if properly cared for and maintained and provides you with that luxury feeling.
However few people know how to care for their natural stone surfaces in order to get the best out of them. The stone seller will give advice and the builder or tiler who lays your flooring will quite often know very little about the product. Some natural stone wholesalers will also lay the stones for you and if you can get one of these firms then you are in a better position, as these know how to treat the product they are installing for you.
Never use a chemical product to produce a shine on the stone. If you want to cover your stone in a polish then you are better of getting a man made product. Stone produces its own shine by being ground down until it is perfectly flat. Once the crystals in the stone are flat they reflect the maximum amount of light uniformly producing the high gloss finish associated with marble and granites. It is not an artificially applied polish that can periodically be buffed to restore the shine.
What removes the shine from the stone? Most stones except granite are relatively soft and can be easily scratched by small particles of dirt. The more the dirt builds up the more they scratch as they are walked over. These scratches disturb the flat surface of the stone and light reflection ceases to be uniform so the shine gradually disappears. The only way of restoring it is to have the stone reground flat a straightforward but time consuming process.
By following a good care and maintenance programme this situation can be delayed for many years. Dust mopping the floor regularly rather than vacuuming it. How regular this is done depends on the no of people going over the floor. In high usage entrances to buildings it should be done two or three times a day. In a domestic lounge once per week may be sufficient. It should also be wet mopped every so often using a neutral soap solution, stone soap being the best. Never use detergents of other chemical cleaners on the stone. The stone soap will help to maintain and enhance the natural colours of the stone. Every two or three years, again depending upon usage have the stones repolished. If this is done as the shine just begins to fade then regrinding becomes unnecessary. The repolishing can be done quite quickly and relatively cheaply.
If the flooring has spillage marks or deep scratches then get these attended to as quickly as possible. Regular maintenance using the correct techniques and products will ultimately preserve your flooring and reduce need for very costly refurbishment
Natural Stone Tiles – The Confusion Surrounding Sealing
There would seem based my own experience that there is a lot of confusion amongst the general public and some builders as to what sealing natural stone actually means.
When we talk about sealing a surface we normally mean that an impenetrable barrier is painted on or applied in some way. For example tiled floors are often sealed to give them added protection and make them shine. To do this a series of coats of emulsion polish are applied to the surface and allowed to dry. This seals the floor and gives it protection. Other surfaces such as wood are often sealed with a coating of a polyurethane product. This adds strength to the surface and protects it. Many other normally porous surfaces can be sealed with a layer that sits on the surface acting as a barrier to penetrative agents and gives protection also.
The sealing of natural stone such as marble, granite, limestone and slate is very different. Natural stone is made up of crystals that interlock together. The actual minerals that are present as crystals in the stone give it its colour and striations. However there are spaces between the crystal and the smaller these spaces are and the more the crystals have been compacted together the less porous the stone is. So these spaces will determine the porosity of the stone. A combination of pore size and mineral content of the stone will also determine its hardness and thus its durability. These spaces in the stone are air filled when the stone is dry and water filled when the stone is wet. Bacteria inhabit these spaces and these are often vital for the maintenance of the stone. Very little research has been carried out into these bacteria but what has been done would suggest that they are essential in maintaining the integrity of the stone.
Consequently we have the picture of stone as quite a complex mix of minerals, bacteria and spaces. You must imagine the stone to be something akin to a very hard sponge! If you drop a liquid onto the stone it will be absorbed and spread through the spaces. This is why what initially looked like a small spillage can end up as quite a large stain in the stone. To remove the stain it has to be flushed out of these spaces. All a stone sealer does it fill up these spaces. Many of the stone sealants in use are based on fatty acids rather than synthetic sealants. These natural sealants are better because they do not destroy the bacteria but often enhance them. Synthetic sealants will destroy these bacteria that has longer-term consequences on the stones makeup. Sealants based on fat however have a shorter lifespan and must be renewed periodically.
Whatever sealant is used it simply fills up the spaces between the crystals it does not cover the surface of the stone. Its purpose is simply to delay the penetration of liquids into the stone. So if corrosive materials get onto the stone then it will be damaged. Stone sealants do not form a protective ‘seal’ on the surface of the stone. Consequently stone is only protected from absorbing liquids. It is not protected from surface damage.
Characteristics of the common building stones
Below is a table showing some of the important characteristics of the common building stones.
Stone type
Porosity
Absorption
Effect of Acid
Hardness*
Composition
Colours
MARBLE
0.5 - 2%
Absorbs water and oils very easily
Very sensitive
3 - 5.5
Calcite plus veining minerals
From white through most colours with veining due to presence of coloured minerals
GRANITE
0.2 - 1.5%
Absorbs water very slowly
Resistant
5 - 7
Feldspar, quartz and mica
Many colours and patterns
LIMESTONE
0.6 - 31%
Absorbs water and oils readily
Very sensitive
2 - 5
Calcite
Generally pastel colours but can be quite dark
SANDSTONE
0.6 - 35%
Absorbs water and oils readily
Some can be sensitive
4 - 7.5
Quartz, feldspar and mica
White to earthy colours
SLATE
0.4 - 5%
Absorption depends upon hardness but does absorb water and oils
Hardly effected
2.5 - 5.5
Silicates plus other minerals
Most colours but commonly black or grey
*Hardness ..... this scale is based on Mohs scale of hardness, shown below;
HARDNESS
MINERAL
EVERYDAY MATERIALS
1
Talc
Baby powder
2
Gypsum
Fingernails
3
Calcite
Bronze
4
Fluorite
Iron
5
Apatite
Glass
6
Feldspar
Nail file
7
Quartz
Good quality Steel
8
Topaz
Sandpaper
9
Ruby
Emeralds
10
Diamond
Industrial diamonds
Importance of this hardness factor with regard to building stones is their resistance to scratching.
When for example marble is polished it is ground down using diamond cutters which are used in ever finer grinders similar in principle to grades of sandpaper. This is attempting to grind the surface and the crystals as flat as possible. A very flat surface will reflect the light uniformly and look glassy or highly polished. As this surface is scratched it reflects the light less uniformly and therefore loses its shine.
Dust has a hardness value of between 5 and 7 when it originates from other than skin! If we consider stone tiles laid as flooring then this will obviously be walked over. Shoes will deposit dirt on the surface. This dirt is made up of small particles of quartz plus other materials. As this is then moved around by the movement of other shoes it will scratch into the surface of the marble. (Quartz has a hardness of 7, marble only 5). As this process proceeds the floor will gradually lose its shine. The worst effects will be near the entrance gradually decreasing away from the entrance. Entrances suffer the fastest deterioration in their lustre but all areas that are walked on frequently will eventually decline. Even a simple process of dusting a surface will cause scratching which over time will reduce the shine.
Vacuuming marble and terrazzo floors can also cause scratching from the vacuum heads. As a result it is best to dust mop such floors.
Other problems with floors and surfaces made of natural stone other than granite is the effect of acids. Acids effectively dissolve the stone thus causing defects in the surface which will become dull and patchy. Many common household items are acidic, from lemon juice to coke. All of which if dropped on the surface even as small splashes will damage the surface and cause it to look stained. The only way of retrieving the situation is to regrind and polish. As a result marble, limestone and sandstone should not be used as kitchen worktops.
Because of the porous nature of stone, coloured liquids dropped onto stone will enter the pores, the liquid element will eventually evaporate leaving behind the colouring as a stain in the stone. If the stone is impregnated with a suitable sealer then the liquid cannot get into the pores as quickly thus no staining should result if cleared away reasonably quickly.
Origins of marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and slate
Rocks originate from three major sources and are thus classified as coming from one of the three rock types;
Igneous rocks
Sedimentary rocks
Metamorphic rocks
Igneous Rock
Igneous rock is formed when the Earth's magma cools and the minerals that make it up crystallize. The cooling can be quick if the magma has been extruded onto the earth's surface and this gives BASALT which contains very small crystals because of the speed of cooling which in many cases can be seconds if on the ocean floor. If cooling takes place low down in the earths crust then the crystals have much longer to form and grow so this rock has large crystals. Cooling times can be thousands and millions of years. GRANITE is formed this way.
Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary rock is formed when minerals and particles in water drop out and settle on the bottom. Over the course of time layers of sediment are built up and by the pressure of the layers above and the water rock is formed. The sediment can originate form three sources;
Weathering of rocks. Weathering or erosion of prexisting rocks on the earth's surface causes particles to be removed from the rocks surface. These particles are then removed by rain, rivers or wind and eventually end up in the sea where they sediment out forming the layers. The eroded particles can be of any size. Very small particles form clay and mud, slightly larger particles form silt and slightly larger still form sand. Particles larger than sand are called gravel. These particles are transported by rivers and the flow rate of the river will determine where and what is deposited. Fast flowing rivers can carry much larger particles further than slower flowing rivers. Flow rates therefore end up sorting particles out. The smallest particles will settle out of the water when the flow rates fall off to nearly zero which is often at the mouth of the river. This is where sand, silt and mud often accumulate blocking up the channels. If enough sediment is formed and the downward pressure is sufficient then the particles become cemented together to form a rock. Mud gives mudstone, sand gives sandstone, clay gives shale, and gravel gives conglomerate.
Organic sedimentation. Formed from the deposition of animal and plant material. Animal skeletons depositing on the seabed build up to form LIMESTONE. Plant remains compacting together form COAL.
Chemical sedimentation. Seawater is saturated with calcium carbonate which is constantly sedimentating out of the sea and settling to the bottom as conditions change. This builds up pure limestone deposits.
Metamorphic Rock
Metamorphic rocks are formed when any rock type is subjected to intense temperatures and pressures. This heat and pressure induces a change in the rock so it is transformed from one rock type to another. For example sandstone metamorphosis into quartzite and limestone becomes marble. One of the possible products of shale after metamorphosis is SLATE.
Home remodelers and builders have experienced a boom in the demand for granite countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal material for aesthetic appeal in home design, and the durability and easy care of granite countertops keeps them a favorite for homeowners who are looking into the future. Though adding granite countertops to any kitchen can be quite costly, they remain the premiere choice in upscale homes, as they retain their value better than most other improvements.
Granite, like marble and other popular stones, are as old as the earth. Granite is found all over the world. As a preferred material, granite was used in the construction of temples and other public buildings in ancient societies. In the recent past many builders continued to use granite for pillars and exterior finishes. Stone suppliers didn’t begin experimenting with polished granite until 1831. The preference for polished granite began in 1851, when a finished piece of granite was displayed in London at The Great Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations.
Granite makes an excellent medium for countertops, as it is the most durable of all stones. The hardness of granite is rivaled only by the hardness of diamonds. The durability and versatility of granite countertops makes it a favorite of professional and home chefs. Granite can withstand the placement of a hot pot and serves as an excellent surface for handling doughs and confectionery. The natural beauty of granite countertops complement any tone of wood or style of cabinetry, from French country to sleek modern styles. Granite is an attractive stone that adds color and warmth to any room.
A popular choice of designers for decades, granite countertops have now become popular with the public. There are literately hundreds of colors of granite, from variations of white through browns, reds, greens, blues, and black. Brown and beige tones are the most popular, as they work well with most any kitchen color scheme, allowing greater flexibility in redecorating over the years. Some of the granite colors exhibit "movement," or a design within the natural color. Movement from large patterns can carry the eye quickly over the surface of the countertop, while small patterns have a more sedate appearance. The combination of color and movement means that no two countertops are exactly the same.
While granite countertops are a favorite choice due to their beauty and durability, they are not impervious to damage. Regular care includes proper cleaning and the use of sealers to prevent staining. Although granite is quite hard, it can be easily be chipped. A skilled professional can perform repairs that are nearly invisible.
Granite countertops can cost more than other countertop materials, with prices starting at $60 a square foot installed. The majority of the cost is not in the stone, but in the quarry work, cutting, transportation, polishing and installations. It is not recommended that the do-it-yourself homeowner to take on this project. Despite the strength of granite, the oversized slab sheets must be precisely cut to fit the counters, and are very delicate when transported. Special care must be taken to reinforce the base cabinets, and the slab must be set perfectly level. Failure to properly set a granite countertop could cause it to break during regular use.
When a homeowner desires the utility of granite countertops, but is unable or unwilling to pay a premium, discounted granite for countertops may be a good option. Retailers maintain groupings or tiers of stone based on popularity of color and movement. Lower tiered cuts of stone maintain the consistent characteristics granite is known for, but the shade of a color may vary according to current fashion trends.
Granite countertops will continue to remain a favorite of homeowners, architects and interior designers. The ageless beauty and durability of granite makes it a home improvement treasure to last a lifetime.
About the Author: Granite Counter Tops provides detailed information on granite kitchen and tile countertops and more. For more information go to http://www.e-granitecountertops.com and/or visit its sister site at http://www.e-kitchensinks.com for related information.
