Caring for Marble

Marble, is vulnerable to water and oil spills when not sealed properly. It is important for you to realize that no sealer will completely protect these stones from etching. Sealers will, however, make it less likely to do deep, irreversible damage to the stone.

Deep Clean

Intensive stone cleaners in combination with specific equipment are used to bring soil and stains to the surface where they can be rinsed away. An additional cleaning process can be employed to restore heavily soiled or stained grout.

Polishing

Stone, whether new or old, can be polished to improve its appearance. The polishing process removes minor flaws and scratches, while it deepens the shine and hardens the surface. This is accomplished by polishing the stone itself resulting in a spectacular long lasting shine.

Hone Finishing

The stone is machined to a low gloss finish. This process removes minor damage and inconsistencies, leaving you with a natural old world finish.

Resurfacing

On heavily worn or damaged stone, resurfacing is needed. The dust free method of diamond grinding creates virtually no mess, while it removes scratches and damage. The newly revealed surface is then machined to the desired gloss.

Leveling

Stone floors with uneven tiles can be machine ground to remove lippage (high edges). The surface is then finished to the desired gloss.

Sealing

Absorbent surfaces need to be sealed to protect them from staining. A sealed surface is easier to care for. There are a number of different types of sealers:

• Penetrating sealers are most commonly used. They are absorbed by the stone and do not change its color or sheen.
• Enhancing sealers are similar to penetrating sealers. However, they are designed to enhance the natural color of the stone, adding depth and darkening the surface.
• In certain applications topical sealers can be used. Topical sealers are usually acrylic and can add color as well as sheen to the stone.

Call Alpine Marble for a free consultation to decide which sealer is right for you.

Stain Removal

There are a number of approaches to removing stains. There are specialized chemicals that can be applied. If that does not remove the stain we can apply a poultice. Poultices are custom made for each individual job. They are made in the consistency of a paste and applied to the stone. They usually need to be left on the stone for up to 7 days.