Natural stone restoration is the process by which a professional restores damaged or worn-out stone back to its original condition, or as close to its original condition as it can get. Having restorative work done is completely normal, as stone will experience wear and tear over time. Don’t get too worried if a stain appears or etching is visibly noticeable, just lean on the experts!
In this article, we’re going to briefly discuss the different types of stone damage. Then, we’ll provide you with a reliable source to get a custom quote and set up an appointment at your earliest convenience.
Stains
Oil, rust, and water can technically leave stains behind that are near impossible to clean on stone. Even certain foods and cleaning acids can stain pretty deep, especially on indoor surfaces.
Common water stains buildup over time with small deposits here and there. Rust stains commonly occur through metallic objects like nails, bolts, and cans.
Hit Marks
Hit marks, better known as stun marks, occur when stone experiences a sharp and sudden impact. The result of such an occurrence provokes a white discoloration in the stone. This can lead to rock rupturing, even fracturing.
Hit marks can be seen on the surface level but they can also run through the slabs entirety depending on how hard a hit occurred.
Etching
If an acidic chemical eats away at the surface of the stone, it’s called etching. Dull marks are usually the results. If the case is mild, the etching will simply look like a clear liquid stain. If the stone is exposed to the chemicals for a prolonged period of time, worse damage may occur.
The most common way of ridding your stone of etching is through a professional polishing technique.
Extreme Temperatures
High temperatures are prone to causing thermal shock, advertently cracking natural stone. A similar circumstance can occur if water from melting snow gets trapped in the cracks of the stone, freezing again.
Whether or not high temperatures or cold temperatures affect natural stone depends on its porosity and ability to absorb water. Ask your supplier for a clearer indication.
Cracks
Cracks can easily be avoided if the stone is installed correctly and the inherent design plan is error-free. Typically, cracking occurs when the paving base is subpar, the jointing is poor, or there are tree roots growing underneath the stone. Outside of that, weather fluctuations can start the cracking process.
Hazing
In nature, it’s common to find salt in soil or water. When this happens, and the salt is dissolved by rain or groundwater, a white, chalky substance is produced that appears on the surface of natural stone. You don’t see that substance until the moisture evaporates, and all that’s left behind is salt.
Efflorescence is 100% natural and will not damage any stone, but it needs to be cleaned so that your stone can shine.
Top-rated Natural Stone Cleaning
Under the Rug Floor Care is a San Diego stone cleaning professional that will perform an inspection of any natural stone surfaces you may have in your home. Afterward, experts will give you the best cleaning process to protect our stone for the long haul. The process goes as follows:
- Preparation → Wipe down surfaces to ready for treatment; cover non-treatment areas.
- Pre-sealing → Maintains surface dryness for the treatment process.
- Honing → Removes scratches, etches, and wear.
- Polishing → Brings original shine back to the surfaces.
- Sealing → Protects natural stone from future staining issues.
If you’re looking for professionals to help restore your Travertine, Marble, Limestone, Slate, Granite, Flagstone, Concrete, Terrazzo, or Saltillo, look no further than Under the Rug Floor Care. With credible expertise and customer care at the top of their priority list, you’ll surely leave a satisfying review.