Frequently Asked Questions.
(FAQ)
Q: Is marble a maintenance free flooring
material?
A: Contrary to popular
opinion, marble as well as other natural stone floors requires consistent
and regular maintenance to protect the surface from traffic abrasion
and discoloration. Although it is a rock, it does wear, discolor, stain
and break. "Etching" is a term used when the surface is damaged
by many typical household products or by liquids such as soda, citrus
drinks or alcohol. This damage is typically a whitish or gray spotting
on the surface. With the sizable investment that is typically associated
with choosing stone as a flooring material, it is best to stay on top
of the care and maintenance. The cost of restoration could be several
times that of a typical maintenance schedule.
Q: Why has my marble floor lost its original
appearance?
A: Most often the problems
can be attributed to traffic abrasion and/or the use of harsh cleaners
and topical coatings. You should always use cleaners that are specifically
designed for maintaining natural stone. A neutral, free-rinse cleaner
is best for periodic wet mopping. An untreated dust-mop should be used
for the daily maintenance of the floor. Spray and mop type floor products
for vinyl floors should never be used to maintain stone floors. The
use of this type of product will only increase the maintenance of the
floor.
Q: Exactly how can Marble Guard restore
my floor?
A: We present 4-step
process to actually reface the surface of the stone and then chemically
close, harden and polish the surface.
See: Marble
floor restoration - 4steps.
Q: Why can't I use topical finishes or
coatings on my stone floor to produce a shine?
A: The alkalinity of
the products used to maintain topical finishes will dull and discolor
the stone over a period of time. Spray and mop type floor products for
vinyl floors should never be used to maintain stone floors. The use
of these types of products will only increase the maintenance of the
floor.
Q: What is the difference between Marble
Guard's maintenance process and alternative methods of maintenance?
A: Our maintenance process
is designed to actually polish the stone with no topical film to discolor
or build-up. It is much less labor-intensive than waxing methods and
does not require the use of strong acids.
Q: How long will my marble hold its appearance?
A: The length of time
your marble will hold its appearance depends on the amount of traffic
it receives as well as the types of traffic it receives. Also the maintenance
practices used will play a key role in its appearance.
Q: How can I obtain specific information
on the overall condition and repair of my marble flooring?
A:
Contact us and trained representative
will analyze your flooring problem and even provide a free demonstration
on your floor.
Q: We're remodeling our kitchen and installing
new countertops. Synthetic countertops cost slightly less than granite,
but how do they compare in the long run?
A: As the saying goes,
imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Countertops made from acrylic
and other manufactured materials may have the "look" of granite,
but the similarities end there. For resistance to bacteria, heat, scratches,
stains and overall performance, granite is unsurpassed. Some marble
with honed or matte finishes also make high quality kitchen countertops.
Q: We're building a new home and would
love to put a marble floor tile in our foyer, but we are concerned about
the heavy foot traffic it will receive. Any suggestions?
A: Marble has been used
as a flooring material for more than 6,000 years and continue to be
a popular choice for bringing beauty to entry foyers and other areas
of the home. You need only take some simple precautions to protect your
investment. Use a non-slip mat outside the entrance to your foyer and
a carpet or areas rug inside to capture the abrasive grit and dirt tracked
in from outdoors. Dust mop your marble floor frequently to remove dirt
and dust particles that can scratch the surface. Use warm water and
a small amount of soap or neutral stone cleaner to wash. Then rinse
and dry thoroughly.
See: Some
Tips to Extend Life of Marble.
Q: After a recent party we discovered
a dark red stain, possibly red wine, on our sandstone hearth. What can
we do to remove the stain?
A: Because all natural
stones is porous, it tends to absorb stains. But it is the same porosity
that gives homeowners an edge in stain removal - you simply reverse
the process by applying a chemical poultice, which re-absorbs the spill.
The choice of poultice materials will vary depending on the type of
stone and the spill. When thoroughly dry, the poultice is removed and
the stain should be, too. See: Stain Removal
Page.
Q: What is natural stone?
A: Nature has taken millions
of years to create the marvel of natural stones which is clearly unmatched
by any other building material so far in strength, durability, beauty
and stunning colors. The difference in natural stone is due to geological
formation of stones in various regions of this planet Earth.
Granite
is an Igneous rock, found deepest in the Earth’s crust. Formed
by cooling and solidification of molten rocks. Granite is second in
Hardness to Diamond.
Marble, Onyx & Slate
are Metamorphic rocks, formed when chemically active fluids, pressure
and heat comes in contact with deeply buried rock. The beautiful veining
pattern present in stone is a result of metamorphic heat.
Limestone, Sandstone & Travertine
are Sedimentary rocks, found on the outside crust of the Earth, weathered
and buried under sediments, and are bonded over time to form these beautiful
stones.
Q: What are the salient features &
benefits of natural stone?
A: Nature’s Beauty!
The extensive color selection and the uniqueness of each slab of granite,
design possibilities are endless.
Scratch Resistant
Weighing in at a "7" on the 'Measure Of Hardness Scale' Natural
Granite (Quartz) is the most scratch resistant countertop on the market
today. The only materials harder are Diamond, Topaz and Sapphire. Extremely
resistant to everyday normal abuse caused by objects such as knives,
toys, keys etc.
Heat Resistant
Granite is naturally burn resistant withstanding temperatures up to
1200° F. So, if a building burns down the only thing left will be
granite countertops! Since natural granite can withstand so much heat
you do want to caution yourself against 'thermal shock' (going from
a low temperature to a really high temperature in a short period of
time). So, you still want to use good judgment in placing extremely
hot pans on your countertop.
Wear Resistant / Extremely Durable
Because of granite's natural characteristics being extremely hard, resistant
to scratches and resistant to heat, it has become the material of choice
when a project demands something to be "Built to Last". For
thousands of years, granite has been used to construct buildings, walls
and floors and has proven the test of time withstanding powerful forces
such as the heat of the sun, damaging rains and strong winds.
Stain Resistant
Seal your granite countertops every year or two, with an easily applied
stone sealer to assure against possible staining. This process takes
about 15 minutes and can be simply applied by the customer.
See: Marble,
Granite, Natural and Artificial Stones
Q: If Zodiaq has
been cleaned using something too abrasive, and it has lost some of its
luster, can it be restored?
A: Yes, it can be restored,
but in most cases entire surfaces should be re-polished, not only that
dull spot. it is almost same as granite, but buffing (last step), should
be done by neutral (not acidic) buffing powder. Polishing back to shine
is easy, but difficult remove rainbow reflection from surface.
