New Global stone solution

04/02/2013

Lippage Removal for marble floors-

For most, the beginning point for restoring their marble or stone surfaces is lippage removal, or what some people call flattening the stone. Lippage is a term used to describe when the edges of your tiles or slabs, are no longer at the same height they used to be, this can also be the result of installation problems and floor settling. The most common way to see how much lippage there is, is by gauging the thickness of dime when it is placed into the edge of one tile lying next to the other. If the one side is above the coin, then this would be seen as lippage.

Removing this uneven level of your Marble surface consists of grinding the high spots so that the floor becomes level. It doesn't matter whether you're doing marble restoration or installing a new marble surface, marble tiles can be higher and lower than each other and should be corrected. You can remove the rough ledges from your surface and flatten everything back to one smooth level.

Lippage removal can eliminate some of your worst scratches and floor stains. All tile lippage should be removed before polishing your marble floor or stone and marble surface; you really need to have your surfaces flat.

Contractors use what is called "lippage removal discs" to grind down the surfaces to reduce or even completely remove this lippage problem. Using the same method as polishing or honing a marble floor, however the type of diamond grinding disks is different.

This procedure is not easy to do by the home owner and it is recommended to contact your Marble professional for lippage removal.

04/02/2013

MARBLE MAINTAINING-

Marble, if given sensible and routine maintenance over the years, will give continuity and lasting service along with the beauty marble brings to your home. Daily maintenance can be done easily, and with the least expense by daily housekeeping. Keep the floor or surface clean of dirt, water build up and ice salts used to melt ice at the door by placing a special mat with a rubber waterproof backing. This helps tremendously in stopping the pe*******on and abrasion of dirt and other debris.

Mop frequently with warm plain water using a cotton string mop, and whenever possible quickly blot up any spills, especially grease and oil, do those immediately; this will help to minimize their absorption into the stone.

Routinely using detergents for cleaning is not the best method of keeping your marble floors clean, as they can dull your polished stone surfaces, as well as contain harsh chemicals that can cause damage to your marble floors over time. For extreme griminess, add a minimal amount of ammonia to water, so little that there is no odor present with the mixture when diluted. You can also alternate the use of a diluted solution of a neutral ph detergent, first testing on a small area of the marble being cleaned

Periodic polishing by your Marble Professional contractor will maintain the luster and more importantly, keep significant re-soiling and deterioration from ruining your Marble application.

04/02/2013

MARBLE CLEANING-

Marble is generally polished, and unless sealed it is porous and easily stained. Marble is also able to be etched by acids. Marble may be stone, but it stains easily, so you need to wipe anything off that is spilled on it immediately, as you would on a wood surface. Also, avoid setting beverages glasses directly on marble, as like wood, this can leave rings. Using coasters with glasses is highly recommended.

Regular cleaning includes washing your marble surface with lukewarm water and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Wiping your marble surface with a damp chamois is suggested as it will not leave streaks. Unsealed Marble that has become dull can have a shine brought back to it using a commercial marble cleaner and polish. For badly damaged marble surfaces, if it's scratched or etched by excessive wear, you will most likely need to have it professionally polished. Marble professionals have the right equipment for the job and know how to use their tools properly.

There are different types of stains that can affect your marble. Organic stains, such as tea coffee. These stains will need a poultice soaked with 20% peroxide and a few drop's of ammonia. Stains that are oil based, such as the oils from butter, lotions need attention right when the spill occurs. You can do this by spreading the surface with ordinary household corn starch. Let it stand for a few hours, Scrub with a stiff brush and hot sudsy water. Or wipe with a dampened cloth of ammonia.

Rust stains from an item such as a metal lamp on the surface or metal container, you can use a commercial rust remover. . Acid stains, from citrus fruits juices and carbonated beverages need to be wiped up immediately; they can etch and dull your surface.. If stains seem to be impossible to remove, your Marble professional will be able to help remove them and bring the beauty back to your surface.

04/02/2013

Polishing Marble is done using multiple products and procedures depending on the stone, this process gives the marble its luster. The marble surface always needs to be totally cleaned, remove all traces of dirt, grit, waxes and sealers before polishing. Equipment needed for larger projects include a floor buffing machine. For smaller applications a small hand held buffer can be used. You'll need buffing pads that fit which ever machine is being used.

For the first polishing, an application of a Marble stripper should be used. If you can visually see the grout between the floor tile, use a stiff bristle brush or plastic scraper to clean the dirty grout. After stripping, rinse the floor twice with clean water and a clean mop. Allow the floor to dry completely. Clean the machine to remove any stripper left. Place a clean pad on buffer and apply Marble polish to the area to be polished.

Apply polish in a 3' x 3' section of the floor. Spray a couple of squirts of the Marble polish onto the surface, using a side-to-side motion, buff the floor until dry. Now go to an adjacent area and do this step again. Work in blocks of four sections until the shine begins to appear. Next move to four different sections. When starting the application process, you may need three treatments to get the desired level of shine. The best results have been obtained when the surface has a nice even shine, and feels a little bit sticky. Do not over buff and scratch your tiles, go slowly.

After you finish polishing, you will need to buff the corners by hand with a small wad of steel wool pad, this will remove residue and even out the glow. With a clean dry dust mop, sweep and remove the polish residue shavings and throw away. Smaller surfaces such as counter tops are able to be done by the home owner; however, you may want to consider a professional contractor for the larger areas such as Marble floors.

29/09/2012

Marble flooring is quickly becoming one of the most popular flooring choices among those doing home improvement projects. Marble is a naturally occurring stone product that comes in a variety of natural tones. The tiles are durable and look very classy when installed properly. In the past ten years, marble and other stone product sales have grown at a rate of 2,000 percent. Beautiful, durable, and relatively easy to install, marble flooring is a great choice for the do-it-yourself home improvement project. As with any home improvement product, before deciding on a marble floor make sure you understand the pros and cons of your flooring choice.
Choices for Marble Flooring

There are two standard choices for your marble flooring, and each will create a different effect in your home. Traditional marble tiles have a polished, shiny finished, which adds a touch of class to a room. These tiles look great in an entryway or foyer. A newly popular variety of marble flooring is tumbled marbles. These marbles come in beige and milky tones. Instead of being polished, they are buffed, and the finish is earthy and natural looking. These tiles work well in large areas, such as kitchen/dining room combinations, as they often come in larger sizes.

29/09/2012

What You Need to Know About Marble Flooring

Before beginning to install, you need to know a few things about marble flooring. First, certain substances, such a shampoo, nail polish remover, and other common household products can cause permanent staining to marble. To avoid this, the tile should be sealed using a neutral pH breathable sealer after installation. The sealer will need to be reapplied periodically, but will protect your floor from permanent staining. Depending on the amount of foot traffic the floor will receive, the flooring should be resealed every 9-18 months. Second, marble floors should not be cleaned using commercial floor cleaners. Clean your marble floor with just warm water. Tough stains can be removed using a peroxide soaked paper towel. Place the towel over the stain and cover it with plastic wrap. Leave it long enough for the peroxide to dissolve the stain, and then wash with warm water. After cleaning your floor with warm water, follow with a dry paper towel, because water can damage marble flooring. Because light colored marble can stain so easily, you may want to consider using a darker variety, especially if your floor is in a high-traffic area.

One benefit of marble flooring is its natural cooling properties. Marble is an extremely dense solid and does not conduct heat well; because of this it takes a long time to heat up. This property makes marble particularly popular in warm climates. You may want to consider some area rugs if you are prone to cold feet in the morning!

29/09/2012

Benefits of Marble Flooring

One benefit of any type of tile flooring, including marble, is that if it is damaged or stained, you only need to replace the damaged tiles, not the entire floor. With a carpet or hardwood floor, significant damage would require replacing the flooring for the entire room. You may want to consider buying some spare tiles, in case you need to replace some in the future. Styles change, and you may not be able to find an exact match to your flooring after a few years.

Now that you have your stunning marble flooring, ensure its longevity by a few simple things. First, whenever possible, remove your shoes before walking on the marble. Shoes pick up oil and dirt, and these substances can scratch and stain your floor. Along the same lines, make sure your sweep or vacuum your floor before popping, that way you will not grind any dirt particles into your floor.

Marble flooring will add class to any room of your house. Keep in mind that marble requires special cleaning and proper installation. If you care for your floor properly and remember to have it sealed periodically, you can enjoy the elegant look of marble for years to come!

29/09/2012

How to Begin Installation

Installing marble flooring is done in the same way as installing ceramic tile. The main difference is the marble has greater weight than the ceramic tiles. First, start with a completely clear floor. Test the floorboards to make sure they are sturdy. If they are not sturdy, the grout between the tiles could crack. If the floor needs to be stabilized, add joists or jack supports to the level below the floor. After checking for stability, you need to check to be sure your floor is level. Using a long level, check for slope in the floor. Also check under the level to look for dips in the floor. If necessary, build up the floor. A level floor is a must for installing a marble floor.

A cement backer board can be screwed directly to the plywood. This will reinforce the floor, since marble tiles are relatively heavy. The tiles do not give and are prone to cracking if the floor is not sturdy and unyielding. If you choose not to use a cement baker board, you will need to reinforce your floorboards with another layer of plywood. The tiles will be applied using a thin-set adhesive.

Once you have prepared your floor, it is time to start installing your marble. Start by finding the center of the room. Measure both the length and the width, and put a chalk line down the center of each. Where these lines intersect is the center of the room. Now, the next step is very important. Lay out your marble in a test run. This is important because if you end up with a tiny piece of marble at any end, you will need to shift your center line a little to avoid having a tiny edge on one end of your floor. To keep a symmetrical look, have the starting tile straddle the centerline if needed.

Now you are ready to begin laying your marble flooring. Start with a tile near the center. Trace around the outside of this tile. Apply mortar, preferably a thin-set mortar, inside the lines you traced. Place your tile on the mortar. This is your reference point for the rest of your floor. From this tile, spread your mortar and use a trowel to notch it. When applying mortar over seams in the floorboards, apply mesh mortar tape to the seams. This prevents cracks in the grout when you are finished. After putting each tile on the mortar, place a 1/16-inch spacer between it and the next tile. This will ensure that the finished project has and evenly spaced appearance.

Once you have finished laying your tile and given the mortar time to dry, it is time to seal the marble. Sealing is best done by a professional and is very important since marble is so easy to stain. Remember to have the sealing reapplied every nine to eighteen months.

14/02/2012

14/02/2012

Hands on Stone Refinishing and Restoration Class

14/02/2012

It's a busy Friday afternoon at Qualey Granite & Quartz!

11/01/2012

Floor surfaces may be walked on 4 hours after application. For best curing results, keep surface dry for 24- 48 hours after application. 48 hours will provide best protection.