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Marble Care And Installation Tips(2) |
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| 8/20/2007 Marble, terrazzo, and granite require special cleaning and periodic sealing to maintain their beauty. The problem, however, is that there are different procedures for different stones. No one procedure is safe for all stone products. There is a very real danger that you can ruin a piece of marble, terrazzo, or granite permanently if not cleaned correctly. For this reason, you must not try to experiment yourself with cleaners or polishes. Also, don't necessarily believe the labels on cleaning products, note who wrote the label!Do NOT clean natural stone products with vinegar, ammonia, or kitchen cleansers! Marble, granite, & other stone products must be cleaned with neutral pH cleaners. Vinegar is actually an acid! Ammonia is a base! Cleansers can scratch stone products. Marble is an alkaline substance. Its surface can be harmed and stained by acids, even very dilute acids. Many common foods and beverages are acidic! Citrus juices, alcohol, vinegar, and other common items can etch the surface of marble. Spills need to be cleaned immediately! If your marble or granite becomes stained, call a professional. Different stones require different treatments! Natural stone products need to be sealed to minimize staining possibilities. However, you must use a breathable sealant. Do not apply certain waxes! Some waxes do not breathe and they can discolor over time. Marble, because it is a softer stone, should be maintained at least once a year. Remember that stone is very similar to wood. It is porous and can and will absorb liquids. Just as wood requires periodic recoating, so does marble, terrazzo, and granite. Marble and terrazzo, however, tend to require more maintenance than granite. Granite, because it is much harder, requires somewhat less attention. (stone_buy) ALWAYS obtain from the installer of your marble, terrazzo, and/or granite specific, written care and maintenance guidelines. Never trust your builder's or remodeler's word. These products require very specific care and the supplier or installer knows what is best. Go to the source!! Design PossibilitiesMarble, granite, and slate have many uses. I have seen them all used for floors, countertops(ally stone counter tops), backsplashes, fireplace hearths, fireplace surrounds(ally stone firplace surrounds), tabletops(ally stone table tops), window sills(ally stone window sills), components for free standing woodstoves, etc. Slate fireplace hearths are dramatic. Granite kitchen countertops(ally stone grniate kitchen countertops) can be breathtaking. I installed a Blue Pearl granite countertop in conjunction with some solid white cabinets. The result was spectacular. I have also installed a fine grained midnight black granite vanity countertop that left the homeowner speechless. The vanity top stone sink had undercounter bowls in white that gave an unbelievable contrast. Because of the growth of the use of these products, the fabricators have at their disposal many tools to shape the stone products. They can create various edge treatments for countertops similar to those found in solid surfacing materials. Fabricators also have special epoxies that enable them to glue multiple or different types of marble and granite together. By combining different, yet complimentary, stones together in one piece, you can achieve dramatic results. Installation TipsAll professional jobs involve planning. You should do the same if you want maximum performance from your products. Marble, granite, terrazzo, and other natural stone products require preplanning before installation. Often the subfloor or cabinets need to be strengthened to support any extra weight. Because stone is very rigid, it has one drawback. All stone products have very little tensile strength. This means that when "stretched" they will crack easily. Stone can "stretch" if it is allowed to bend. Stone will bend if it is unsupported (hollow spots) or is laid on top of something that periodically moves (weak wood floors that deflect when loaded with people or things). So, make sure that you plan ahead. Never hesitate to consult a structural engineer or supplier to determine the minimum strength requirements for your application. Cracks in stone work are impossible to repair! anoter airtcle Fireplace Inspection and Cleaning from china ally stone factory inc |
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