Primarily, the damage that afflicts natural stone comes in the form of staining and etching. What makes natural stone so much more susceptible to staining than other materials, is the fact that it is made of porous materials.
— Modern Stone Care (@modernstonecare) April 30, 2018
To learn more, read: Natural Stone Stain Prevention pic.twitter.com/1DaKNPzHcj
Natural stone, such as, marble, granite, slate, travertine, and limestone, are all gorgeous choices when looking at flooring for your home. However, the problem with these stunning natural stones is how vulnerable they are to damage. Primarily, the damage that afflicts natural stone comes in the form of staining and etching. What makes natural stone so much more susceptible to staining than other materials, is the fact that it is made of porous materials. This means they are made of very many holes, like underground hollowed out tunnels leading from one side of the stone to another. This makes them similar to a sponge but made out of a harder substance. So, like a sponge, these stones are quick to absorb liquids, trapping the liquids within the tunnels below the surface. This can be very problematic for a lightly colored stone and say, a glass of red wine.
So what can you do to prevent these substances from penetrating your natural stone, leaving it with an obvious and unsightly stain? Seal it! We are constantly trying to stress the importance of sealing your natural stone floors to protect them against outside influences. Natural stone floors
should be sealed annually. If the stone flooring is in a high traffic area, or if you are in a household with active children or pets, your stone flooring may require more frequent sealing in order to protect it.
If you are unsure if your natural stone seal is in need of being redone, there is a simple test you can do at home in order to check. Take a glass of water to the area you are wanting to inquire about, sticking your fingers in the water and spread droplets of water on your stone. Check back in an hour and see if the water has penetrated the stone or if it is still bubbled up. If the water is gone, and you do not see a wet spot in its place, this may just mean the water has evaporated. If you see a darkened wet spot on your stone, your floors are in need of a seal.
While prevention is always the best way to avoid staining, it is not always an option. The natural stone experts at Modern Stone Care are experienced in restoring mistreated and stained stone flooring. Contact us today if you are looking to lift a stain or restore your natural stone flooring.
Modern Stone Care proudly serves The Greater Houston Area, including but not limited to, Atascocita, Bellaire, Clear Lake, Cypress, Friendswood, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kemah, League City, Kingwood, Memorial, Missouri City, Montgomery County, Spring, Spring Branch, Stafford, Sugar Land, Tomball and The Woodlands.
970 Bunker Hill Rd
Houston, TX 77024
Natural stone is typically porous, making it absorb liquids easily. This unfortunately, even with the most gentle liquids, can result in staining, etching, and cloudiness.
— Modern Stone Care (@modernstonecare) April 27, 2018
To learn more, read: Damaged Stone Restoration in Houstonhttps://t.co/S1D8wtGeRo pic.twitter.com/XS3rgdUJwS
Get a gorgeous reflective surface out of your natural stone flooring, with the helo of Modern Stone Care! https://t.co/c1ANeHEpd8 pic.twitter.com/jNDSYLh2Y0
— Modern Stone Care (@modernstonecare) April 25, 2018
Natural stone is sensitive and can become damaged easily by liquids, leaving these stones vulnerable to outside influences.
— Modern Stone Care (@modernstonecare) April 24, 2018
To learn more, read: The Importance Of Sealing Natural Stone in Houstonhttps://t.co/y7IYY62Czw pic.twitter.com/Et4V8XvxXi
Be careful what you are using to clean your natural stone floors! Modern Stone Care offers our own formula of stone safe cleaner!https://t.co/8x4rgRbQJq pic.twitter.com/vDKPshCdu0
— Modern Stone Care (@modernstonecare) April 20, 2018
Natural stone is typically porous, making it absorb liquids easily. This unfortunately, even with the most gentle liquids, can result in staining, etching, cloudiness, and an overall dullness that may permanently affect the appearance of your natural stone.
Below is why you should never use acidic cleaners on your natural stone flooring or countertops:
Etching and Erosion: While some natural stones are tougher than others, they all have the potential to be damaged and should be handled carefully. Whenever you expose natural stone to acidic substances etching can occur. Whenever you damage your stone with acidic cleaners, you will most likely see dull etched spots on the surface. However, if you coat the stone in this acidic cleaner, the entire surface may be etched and cloudy. If you leave the acidic cleaner on the surface too long you may break the surface and see indentations, also known as erosion.
What Makes Acidic Substances Damaging To Natural Stone?
To understand the reason acidic substances cause damage to natural stones, you must first understand that natural stone contains a large amount of calcite. Calcite is a gentle, almost chalky substance that is full of tiny holes. Acid, even weak acids, has the ability to dissolve calcite, dripping through the porous material and spreading quickly. Marble, limestone, and travertine are the most vulnerable to damage because they contain the most calcite. Granite contains less calcite but has lots of internal pits and hollowed pathways that can also trap the acidic products, causing the stone to deteriorate over time.
Several common household products contain ingredients that can damage your natural stone flooring. You may think since you have not seen immediate damage after using these products that they are safe for your flooring. This is not always the case because sometimes the damages starts slow and builds over time, leaving you with dull stone. Avoid cleaners that contain citric acids, such as lemon or orange enhanced cleaners. You also should be very careful with vinegar, wines, fruit juices, milk, tomato based sauces, or any other substance high in natural acids.
Can Natural Stone Damage Be Reversed?
While it is possible in some cases to restore your natural stone back to it’s vibrant state, it is a job for professionals. This is because the stone has undergone a chemical change through the damage, meaning the stone will require a lot of specialized attention.
Modern Stone Care proudly serves The Greater Houston Area, including but not limited to, Atascocita, Bellaire, Clear Lake, Cypress, Friendswood, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kemah, League City, Kingwood, Memorial, Missouri City, Montgomery County, Spring, Spring Branch, Stafford, Sugar Land, Tomball and The Woodlands.
970 Bunker Hill Rd
Houston, TX 77024
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How long has it been since your natural stone floors have been sealed? If moisture penetrates the stone leaving a damp mark, it has been too long! Contact us today!https://t.co/N8x7D7sIsb pic.twitter.com/dJTHBFxWbk
— Modern Stone Care (@modernstonecare) April 18, 2018
Natural stone, when handled properly can look incredible for decades. Unfortunately, too often natural stone flooring is not given the specific care it needs in order to last.
— Modern Stone Care (@modernstonecare) April 16, 2018
To learn more, read: Natural Stone Cleaning Sealing and Polishing in Houstonhttps://t.co/N5LnPW7cb3 pic.twitter.com/od5kpZzpfv
Most natural stones are porous, meaning they are like hard sponges that have the ability to absorb liquids. Natural stone is also sensitive and can become damaged easily by these liquids, leaving the stone vulnerable to outside influences. If you are interested in preserving the look of your natural stone for years to come, the best course of action is to seal your stone. Once your stone is sealed it will provide a barrier between it and foreign materials.
Not only does sealing your stone protect is against outside influences, it also prevents premature discoloration of the stone as a result of wear and tear on the stone’s surface. It is important to note that natural stone does require more than one initial seal. Once it is installed, it will need to be sealed again periodically to maintain the barrier of protection. Whenever your natural stone is in a moist environment, such as, in a bathroom, it will be important to seal it more frequently. This is because the humidity and moisture of a bathroom will weaken the seal, leaving your stone unprotected. Additionally, having unsealed stone in a moist environment can lead to the water making its way into the porous stone, resulting in mold and mildew forming within the the stone.
Below are the main benefits associated with sealing your natural stone:
-Avoiding Moisture Damage: Whenever you seal your natural stone you will have a protective layer for spills to bead up on, instead of penetrating into. This helps avoid staining, mildew, and damage from acidic materials that have the potential to damage your stone.
-Longevity Of The Stone: Natural stone has the ability to last for decades when treated properly. Part of this treatment is regularly sealing the surface of your stone. When you avoid moisture build up and harsh chemicals interacting with your stone, you are increasing the lifespan of your stone.
-Stone Aesthetics: While the primary catalyst for sealing natural stone is to protect the stone from moisture, staining, and etching, this is not the only reason for it. Sealing natural stone also changes the appearance of the stone. The sealant adds a gorgeous, reflective sheen to the surface of the stone that is truly eye catching.
If your natural stone is in a high traffic area, it should be sealed annually to avoid damage to the stone. Lower traffic areas can go longer spans of time, sometimes even up to three or four years. However, it should be taken into consideration that their are other outside variables that can impact the length of time a stone will need to be sealed. Some of these variables include high moisture environments, or environments with children or pets.
Modern Stone Care proudly serves The Greater Houston Area, including but not limited to, Atascocita, Bellaire, Clear Lake, Cypress, Friendswood, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kemah, League City, Kingwood, Memorial, Missouri City, Montgomery County, Spring, Spring Branch, Stafford, Sugar Land, Tomball and The Woodlands.
970 Bunker Hill Rd
Houston, TX 77024
At Modern Stone Care we work with a wide variety of natural stone flooring. This includes but is not limited to limestone, granite, marble, travertine, and slate flooring. We have spent several years working with these fragile stones, learning how to work around all of their sensitivities in order to preserve their beauty and keep them in strong, lasting condition for years to come. Natural stone, when handled properly can look incredible for decades. Unfortunately, too often natural stone flooring is not given the specific care it needs in order to last. Get the most out of your natural stone flooring with the help of Modern Stone Care.
Below is a list of the steps you should take to keep your natural stone in prime condition for as long as possible:
Natural Stone Cleaning: Natural stone requires frequent dusting, that should only be done with soft and specialized tools, such as a microfiber mop. While at home maintenance is absolutely necessary to preserve your stone flooring. It is equally important to have regular deep cleanings for your stone floors. This is because natural stone is a delicate material that is porous and vulnerable to dirt, dust, and grime.
Natural Stone Sealing: As mentioned, natural stone is porous and sensitive to a wide range of outside factors from dust and grime, to cleaning products and wine. This makes sealing your stone an excellent way to add a little protection to it. When you seal your stone, you are adding a protective layer between the stone and any outside influences that have the potential to harm it.
Natural Stone Polishing: Polishing your natural stone flooring gives it that added touch of glitz and glamour! Polished natural stone elevates your flooring, taking it from a dull lackluster surface, to an eye grabbing reflective floor that catches the light and eyes of all of your guests.
Modern Stone Care proudly serves The Greater Houston Area, including but not limited to, Atascocita, Bellaire, Clear Lake, Cypress, Friendswood, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kemah, League City, Kingwood, Memorial, Missouri City, Montgomery County, Spring, Spring Branch, Stafford, Sugar Land, Tomball and The Woodlands.
970 Bunker Hill Rd
Houston, TX 77024
Whenever you make an investment in natural stone flooring, such as limestone, it is critical in order to preserve the beauty and condition of your stone to know how to take care of it. Taking care of your limestone floors starts with sealing the stone. This is because limestone is a porous stone, making it vulnerable to stains and damage. Whenever you seal your limestone you are adding a protective, clear barrier to the surface of the stone. This will not prevent any damage to your limestone floors but it will help guard against superficial etching and staining. At Modern Stone Care we are the experts when it comes to sealing limestone floors in Houston. If you have limestone floors in your home or business do not hesitate to contact Modern Stone Care today!
Often times whenever someone buys a home with limestone floors, they are unsure if the floors are already sealed or if the current seal is in a solid enough condition to protect the stone. This is a reasonable curiosity as the seal on natural stone floors will not last forever. Luckily, there is a very simple test you can do on your own, at home, in order to determine if your natural stone has a strong enough seal.
Below are the steps you can follow in order to find out if your natural stone floors need to be sealed again:
First: Thoroughly clean your limestone flooring, removing all dirt from the surface
Second: Pour clean water onto the floor into a puddle about the size of a ping pong ball in multiple locations on the surface of your stone. Be mindful of the water on your floors, as to avoid slipping.
Third: Allow the water somewhere between three to four hours to rest on the stone untouched.
Fourth: Wipe the remaining water away from the surface of the stone.
If you are left with a darkened patch on the stone where the water was poured, this means the water was able to penetrate your stone. If the water is able to penetrate the stone then it is time to reseal your floors. It is very important to follow step one of this test because if you neglect to clean your stone first, you are risking pushing any surface dirt or dust into your unprotected stone. If you are looking for a professional, natural stone care company that is capable of sealing your limestone floors in Houston, contact Modern Stone Care today!
Modern Stone Care proudly serves The Greater Houston Area, including but not limited to, Atascocita, Bellaire, Clear Lake, Cypress, Friendswood, Houston Heights, Houston, Humble, Katy, Kemah, League City, Kingwood, Memorial, Missouri City, Montgomery County, Spring, Spring Branch, Stafford, Sugar Land, Tomball and The Woodlands.
970 Bunker Hill Rd
Houston, TX 77024
Sealing your natural stone is the best way to help prevent stains from penetrating the stone. Contact Modern Stone Care to learn more!https://t.co/N8x7D7sIsb pic.twitter.com/6TM9ck4GoI
— Modern Stone Care (@modernstonecare) April 6, 2018
Let Modern Stone Care make your natural stone floors shine with vibrancy!https://t.co/50JEWVyo8U pic.twitter.com/57xWo7CKzm
— Modern Stone Care (@modernstonecare) April 4, 2018
Natural stone surfaces are too delicate for most cleaners. This is why we have made our own formula of natural stone cleaners for floors and also for countertops and showers. https://t.co/8x4rgRbQJq pic.twitter.com/MYECdILcwr
— Modern Stone Care (@modernstonecare) April 2, 2018
