Polishing Your Marble Floor

 Marble

Marble stone is a one of a kind natural stone famous for its uses in construction purposes. One of the most important issues is polishing marble floor in marble using. It is highly demanded and quite popular in the building business due to its aesthetic appeal and great durability. Due to its convenient accessibility and flexibility, the applications of marble stone are endless i.e. flooring, bars, home furniture, countertops, tables, showers, fireplaces and kitchen backsplashes, which easily justifies its popularity as one of the most favored stones in the market. 

     Marble stone is not only a highly resilient stone but its installation can instantly add a touch of modern luxury and class to any building. It is a natural stone that is not only easy to maintain but can also lasts a long time without losing its spectacular appearance.

                                                      

One of the most popular uses of marble stone installations is for flooring. Just the installation of marble stone floors can effortlessly add luxurious opulence and timeless class to your house without the need for redecorating the entire place. The entire course of your house can be changed by the type of marble stone you choose whilst refurbishing your house. 

       Different types of marble stone flooring will add different elements of elegance to the rooms they are fixed in, depending on which kind of marble stone you choose since the range of colors and types that marble stone is available in are endless. With hues in black, brown, grey, beige, green, white and even red, the possibility of a homeowner not being able to find marble matching their taste and aesthetics is pretty much impossible. Marble stone’s dense, hard and crystallized texture makes it suitable for flooring purposes as its innate abilities usually allow it to stay free from stains, cracks and weathering.

                                                          

Different types of Marble:

Marble is a metamorphic form of limestone that has goes through a process of re-crystallization through heat or pressure to achieve its dense crystalline structure that allows the possibility of a uniform, polished surface. However, the uses of marble stone application are not limited due to its strong structure.  It can be found in a wide range of furnishing objects but its primary purpose remains redecoration as it is commonly found used for countertops, fireplaces and flooring due to its strength and robustness. 

        One of the reasons why many decorators prefer marble stone flooring is due to the incredible variety range. Marble is very easily accessible and available in more than three thousand types and in every shade that can be found on the color wheel ranging from extremely dull to the brightest hues i.e. from the whites and creams to pinks, greens, grays, browns, yellows and reds, thus covering the entire color spectrum and providing homeowners with an extensive range to choose from in accordance with their taste.

Indian White marble tile:  marble is considered as one of the most luxurious form of marble stone due to its rarity. It is generally found as a stark white marble with a thick, unstructured and bold vein design. This deluxe stone is also available in gold which is highly recommended for adding a touch of opulence and magnificence.

Carrara marble tile: Carrara marble is a pure white or blue-gray high quality used mainly for sculpture or decorative purposes. It is one of the most readily available form of marble stones available on the market. Its crisp white appearance and linear veining can be utilized in a way that can give either a soft appearance or a very dramatic one, therefore making it the perfect choice for flooring.

Statuary marble tile: Statuary marble tiles have an even but somewhat semi-translucent background with light gray tones and an intense veining structure. In a way, Statuary marble stone greatly resembles Carrara marble stone but comparatively has a much shinier and light reflecting surface.

Emperador marble tile: Also quarried from various regions of Spain, the Emperador marble stone is found in varying tones of whites and grays but also comes in different shades of browns. Its tiles feature a display of irregular veins and a fine surface.

                                         

                                                        

Finishes of Marble Stone:

Marble can be finished in many different ways depending on the type of aesthetics one is aiming for:-

Polished finish marble: Polished finished marble results in an ultra-glossy, almost mirror like surface that shows off the marbles color and design to its full potential. Polishing results in the least porous surface thus giving the marble stone a shiny outlook. It is a great choice for interior use, however using it for exterior decorative purposes is discouraged to its slightly slippery nature.

Honed finish marble: A honed finish is very similar to polishing with one major difference that the finishing results in matte, velvety and smooth surface with no shine whatsoever. Honing is primarily used for repairing damage done to the stone, therefore a honed finish makes the marble less prone to getting wretched or damaged.

Textured finish marble: This specialized marble finish involves the use of different techniques to give the marble a distinctly stylish surface. Flamed, bush-hammered, leathering, rigato, natural-cleft, sandblasted and split face are some of the popular textured finishes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Polishing Marble Floor:

Marble is very robust and delicate at the same time, therefore it needs to be treated with care as poor handling of the stone can make it more liable to break. It is mandatory that homeowners who choose to refurnish their house with marble stone flooring know the appropriate cleaning techniques before polishing to keep their tiles looking pristine and attractive.

Below are the top ten mistakes that are made whilst cleaning the marble before their polishing procedure and ways to avoid them:-

MOPPING:

DO NOT: Do not use a completely drenched mop to wipe spills or stains from the marble tiles as it can allow water to leak from the cloth and get stuck between the spongy surfaces of the marble.

DO: Try using a damp mop for wiping the marble flooring instead of a completely soaked one. Also, make sure to use deionized water as it is less damaging to the marble stones surface. Marble’s permeability makes it prone to damage from liquids like wine, coffee or juice so it is important to mop up the area of spill right away before any permanent discoloration is done.

DRY CLEANING:

DO NOT: Marble is a porous stone and due to its spongy structure it is prone to absorption of liquids and solvents. It is best to avoid using cloth, mops or sponges that have been dipped in waxy, oily or wet substances as there’s a very high probability that residue of the solvents can get absorbed into the permeable structure of the stone and lead to permanent staining or discoloration.

DO: It is best advised to clean your marble flooring ASAP with a dry mop, cloth or sponge as soon as something is spilled on them. Using a dry cloth will not only help in better soaking of the spill thus preventing any long-term damage but will also leave behind any moist residue that could potentially sink into the pores of the stone. 

SOLVENTS:

DO NOT: · Never clean marble flooring with store brought cleaning products since it contains acids, alkalis and chemicals that can be detrimental to the natural stones permeable structure. Common store cleaners are usually very acidic and the lack of alkalinity can lead the marble more susceptible to discoloration and can greatly decrease the endurance strength of the marble stone tiles.

DO: Use distilled or deionized water, neutral stone soap or cleaners with pH7.00, white spirit and 2% non-ionic detergent as your go-to marble cleaning solvents as they will not only prevent abrasion and staining but will also keep your marble flooring in tip-top condition and also prolong the life of your marble.

HOMEMADE REMEDIES:

DO NOT: It is highly discouraged to use grocery products such as vinegar, milk, lemon or ammonia for cleaning marble surfaces as they are highly acidic or highly alkaline and can completely and utterly destroy the surface of the marble tile.

DO: Use proper cleaning products specifically designed for cleaning marble floorings instead of opting for DIY remedies. Unlike the former, the DIY techniques offer no guarantees whatsoever so the risks of damage goes up a notch and it is very hard to redeem permanently damaged marble stone flooring as compared to cleaning it.

WATER USAGE:

DO NOT:  Do not use water as the sole agent for cleaning the marble stone as its continuous use can make the marble look dull and unappealing and also effect its durability.

DO: Use non-acidic, alkaline or preferably neutral solvents for the cleaning of your marble flooring and don’t forget to switch up between your preferred choices of solvent every now and then to keep your marble floors looking as radiant as possible.

SEALING YOUR MARBLE FLOOR:

DON’T: Do not leave your marble flooring untreated after its installation as it will make it much more liable to destruction and blemishes as compared to unsealed marble.

DO: Sealing your marble flooring is strongly advised as it not only adds to the robustness of the marble stone but also limits the damage or staining caused by spills.  Periodically sealing your marble with a good quality sealant will ensure that your marble floors stay in immaculate condition and will also add years to its life.  Depending on the type of marble stone installed and the type of sealant used, you may have to reseal every three to six year to maintain the appearance of your marble. However, it is advised to not overdo with the sealing.

PROTECTION AND PRECAUTION:

DO NOT: · Do not ever leave heavy furniture i.e. tables, chairs and sofas, directly on the surface of marble floors as they can damage the surface overtime. Also, never drag heavy furniture or sharp items on marble floors since this can cause permanent abrasions and scratches.

DO: To avoid impairment from the weight of heavy furniture try placing fluffy mats or mugs underneath the legs of the furniture as this can lessen the amount of contact between the marble tiles.

ABRASIVE MATERIALS:

DO NOT: Don’t use abrasive materials or domestic cleaning supplies to clean your marble flooring as they’re not designed for the purpose and will not help in proper removal of stains. Such materials will most definitely cause evident damage to the stone that will be visible in the long-run. Bathroom cleaners and sprays are examples of domestic supplies that should be avoided for marble cleaning.

DO: Use branded cleaners designed specifically for the cleaning of marbles instead of opting for harsher substitutes that could permanently discolor your marble tiles.

POLISHING MARBLE FLOOR

DO NOT: Do not avoid polishing of your marble flooring. Some homeowner’s do not consider it necessary to polish their marble flooring, however, it is strongly recommended for multiple reasons. It should also be kept in mind that over-polishing marble can be almost as bad as not polishing it at all.

DO: Polishing can decrease the extent of which marble absorbs stains and spills and can also enhance the appearance of the stone and leave it looking exuberant. So if you want to maintain the exquisite look and shine of your marble stone floors then polishing them every now and then is a must. You can either do the repolishing yourself or get it done professionally by company’s who offer their expertise and services in the matter.

BE VIGILANT IN MARBLE MAINTENANCE:

DO NOT: Do not ignore spills or scratches on your marble flooring. The best way to avoid permanently damaging the natural stone is by straightaway taking action as soon as you notice some sort of discoloration or mark as time is of the essence.

DO: Marble gets stained very quickly so the best way to keep it in tip-top shape is by being extremely vigilant in its maintenance and immediately cleaning up any spills be it water, wine, juice or coffee. Using a clean and dry mop, cotton cloth, broom or sponge to absorb or wipe the marble floors.

Marble is a sturdy stone that can last for a long time if it is regularly cleaned and maintained properly. However, the durability of marble stones also depends on its quality. Factors such as the climate, chemical agents, heat and moisture play an important role in testing the endurance strength of the stone. Despite marbles tough looking surface it’s actually a very permeable rock that can absorb spills and accumulate dirt into its pores if not cleaned properly. Even in its all polished and refined glory, acidic liquids, oils, and even water can stain and wretch marble stone as its sponge like structure sucks the solvents inside.  And once marble is stained, it can be quite the hassle to remove it without damaging the entire tile.