Natural Stone Damage: Efflorescence: Efflorescence is a common issue that can occur with natural stone surfaces, such as marble, granite, travertine and limestone. It. appears as a white, powdery substance on the surface of the stone and can be unsightly and difficult to remove. Efflorescence is caused by the presence of water-soluble salts in the stone, which are brought to the surface through the process of evaporation. The water evaporates, leaving behind the salt crystals, which form the white, powdery substance.
What you can do
There are several ways to prevent efflorescence from occurring in natural stone surfaces. One of the most effective ways is to have a company like NOVA Stone Care seal the stone for you, as this will prevent water from penetrating the surface and causing the salts to rise to the surface. Additionally, it is important to clean up any spills or stains as soon as they occur, as these can also contribute to the formation of efflorescence.
If efflorescence does occur, it is important to call a professional company like NOVA Stone Care. NOVA Stone Care professionals will remove it as soon as possible and prevent it from becoming ingrained in the stone. There are several ways to remove efflorescence, including using specialized efflorescence remover.
Efflorescence is a common issue that occurs with natural stone surfaces. However, we at NOVA Stone Care can prevent or remove it with proper care and maintenance that we offer. Our experts in natural floor restoration services have the knowledge, tools, and experience to properly care for your stone surfaces. Check out our blog section for more helpful tips. Natural Stone Damage: Efflorescence.
Travertine Floor Polishing Service: DIY vs Professional Services. If the flooring in your home has been looking like it has lost its luster, you might be thinking about ways you can breathe a little more life into them and get them looking like new again. Maybe you consider yourself savvy when it comes to DIY hacks and think you’ve found the perfect YouTube DIY floor polishing video that recommends a particular brand of lemon-based cleaner (spoiler alert – this is how you get ants!).
So, do you tackle that DIY home floor polishing project armed with Home Depot equipment rentals and pull up your bootstraps. On one hand, scoring those type of points with your significant other can be priceless but on the other, a botched DIY floor polishing project will end up costing you more than hiring a professional to do the job.
1. DIY Hacks: Expectation vs. Reality
Insert every classic expectation vs. reality meme here. The best way to illustrate this point is with a good analogy. If you’re an adult over thirty and have no idea who Bob Ross is, then you need to go watch some PBS reruns because this reference will go right over your head (and honestly, your life is a little emptier without ever having experienced ‘The Joy of Painting’).
The show featured artist Bob Ross narrating painting techniques as he would create beautiful landscape art in an instructional fashion. The idea was for the audience to gain skills and (while most of us didn’t) join in painting along. A simple Google search of Bob Ross painting attempts will yield a slew of results. While admittedly, there are folks that shine in the world of amateur painters…most folks do not walk away with a masterpiece or a painting that looks like it was done by a skilled professional.
2. You Could End Up Damaging the Stone
There are many mistakes that can be made by amateurs who rent diamond cut (this is a big no-no!) polishing equipment and think that they have the skills and knowledge to get the job done and save the cost of hiring an expert. However, there are a number of ways that you can jack up your floors.
From over-polishing that results in overly slippery hazardous surfaces to a job that actually weakens the seals (granite and other stone surfaces are porous). It is easy to misstep when you aren’t a professional. Unfortunately, these types of missteps can cost you more money than you would have spent for a simple polishing job—especially if you need to do any resealing.
If you’re searching for a good floor polishing service in the Greater Fairfax or DC area? Consider hiring NOVA Stone Care for travertine polishing and sealing. Hiring a professional to polish your floors for you will ensure that the job is done right the first time.
The experts at NOVA Stone Care can handle your travertine floor polishing service. Locally owned and operated, we’ll get your floors looking new with little fuss. Interested in learning more about who we are and what we do. Visit our website.
Stripping, cleaning, and sealing slate floors is a process that can breathe new life into an old or tired floor. The process involves removing any existing sealer or wax, cleaning the slate to remove dirt and grime, and then applying a new sealer to protect the slate and enhance its natural beauty.
Before starting the process, it’s important to assess the condition of the slate floor. If it is heavily worn or damaged, it may need to be repaired or replaced before proceeding. If the floor is in good condition, then the stripping, cleaning, and sealing process can begin.
Stripping slate floors
To strip the floor, a chemical stripper is applied to the surface of the slate. The stripper is left on the floor for a specific period of time, usually around 20 minutes, before being scrubbed off with a stiff brush. This process removes any existing sealer or wax from the slate.
Cleaning slate floors
Next, the slate is cleaned to remove dirt and grime. A neutral pH cleaner is typically used for this step, as it is gentle on the slate but still effective at removing dirt and stains. The cleaner is applied to the floor and scrubbed in with a stiff brush before being rinsed off with water.
Sealing slate floors
After the slate is clean and dry, a new sealer is applied. This step is important as it helps to protect the slate from future stains and damage. The sealer is typically a water-based product that is easy to apply and dries quickly.
The stripped, cleaned, and sealed floor will have a brighter, more uniform color and a natural shine. The sealer also protects the slate from future stains and damage, making it easier to maintain and keep looking like new.
Overall, stripping, cleaning, and sealing slate floors is a great way to rejuvenate an old or tired floor. It not only improves the appearance of the floor but also extends its lifespan by protecting it from future damage. Our experts in natural floor polishing services have the knowledge, tools, and experience to properly care for your stone surfaces. Check out our blog section for more helpful tips.
Tumbled travertine is a popular natural stone that is often used for flooring, countertops, and other surfaces in homes and businesses. It is known for its unique, textured appearance and durability. However, it does require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it looking its best.
Tumbled Travertine Deep cleaning
Deep cleaning tumbled travertine involves removing any dirt, grime, and stains that have accumulated on the surface. NOVA Stone Care specializes in this type of restoration. After we clean the surface thoroughly, we rinse it off with clean water and dry it completely to prevent water spots from forming. Refinishing tumbled travertine involves restoring the surface to its original shine and smoothness. This can be done by honing, polishing and sealing the stone.
Work in progress
Tumbled Travertine Honing, Polishing And Sealing
Honing is a process that removes small surface imperfections and light scratches. Polishing is the process of smoothing the surface with increasingly finer diamond abrasives until it reaches a desired finish. Sealing is the process of applying a protective barrier to the stone surface to protect it from stains and damage.
Before and after results
It’s important to note that tumbled travertine requires more maintenance than other types of natural stones because of its porous nature. Tumbled travertine deep cleaning and sealing should be a part of your regular maintenance plan. We at NOVA Stone Care offer full restoration and maintenance plans.
Before and after results
Conclusion
As a general rule, it’s best to hire a professional company like NOVA Stone Care to deep clean and refinish tumbled travertine to ensure the best results. Our experts in natural floor polishing services have the knowledge, tools, and experience to properly care for your stone surfaces. Check out our blog section for more helpful tips.
Deep cleaned and restored tumbled travertine flooring
“Should I replace or refinish my stone flooring?” is a common question we hear from our customers. When it comes to stone flooring, homeowners often have the choice to either replace or refinish their existing floors. Both options have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to do research on floor polishing services when considering which option is best for your specific situation.
Replacing your stone flooring is a good option if your floors are severely damaged or worn. Additionally, if your floors have been installed improperly or are showing signs of settling or shifting replacement may be necessary. It would ensure the stability and safety of your floors.
Before and after results of marble floor restoration and etch removal
On the other hand, refinishing your stone flooring is a good option if your floors are in good condition but simply need a facelift. Even if your floors are chipped, or have deep scratches, refinishing still may be the best choice. Refinishing involves honing, polishing and resealing the stone. This process can remove scratches and stains, and bring back the original shine and luster of the stone. This option is also a more cost-effective alternative to replacement, as it does not require the removal and disposal of existing flooring.
Before and after results of tumbled travertine restoration
When deciding whether to replace or refinish your stone flooring, it is important to consult with a professional stone restoration company like NOVA Stone Care. Our technicians will assess the condition of your floors free of charge. We’ll provide you with a recommendation based on our expertise and experience.
Conclusion
The decision to replace or refinish your stone flooring will depend on the condition of your floors, the type of stone, and your personal preferences. NOVA Stone Care experts can help you make the best decision for your specific situation.
The etch mark removal from the marble floor tile is a complicated issue that many homeowners encounter. Etches occur when acidic substances or cleaning products come into contact with the surface of the marble. These substances cause a chemical reaction that erodes the surface of the marble, leaving dull, discolored spots.
In this particular case, a cleaning company used a cleaning product that was very acidic. The usage of the wrong cleaning product resulted in a large etch mark. The cleaning company tried removing the etch mark but actually made it worse.
How to remove etch marks safely
The best and the safest way to remove etch marks from marble floor tile is to hire a professional stone restoration company like NOVA Stone Care. We have the knowledge, experience and the state-of-the-art equipment necessary to safely and effectively remove etches from the marble surfaces. Our Professional floor polishing services will restore the natural beauty of your stone. Check out our project gallery to see before and after results.
One of the first steps in etch removal is to thoroughly clean the affected area. This may involve using a pH-neutral cleaning solution like MB-5 from MB Stone Care to remove any dirt or debris that may be present. The next step is to use specialized equipment, such as diamond pads and polishing pads. We restore marble floors using mechanical diamond honing and polishing techniques. We use different grit levels of diamond pads to remove scratches, etching, and other imperfections.
The etch mark removal is a delicate process that requires skill and experience. Attempting to remove etches on your own can result in further damage to the marble. It’s best to leave this task to the professionals.
Conclusion
The etch removal from marble floor tile can be a challenging task, but it can be accomplished effectively by a professional stone restoration company like NOVA Stone Care. With our knowledge, experience, and specialized equipment, we can restore your marble floors to their original beauty. If you notice etches on your marble floor tile, it is best to contact NOVA Stone Care as soon as possible.
One of the many services NOVA Stone Care provides is marble floor restoration – honing, polishing buffing and sealing. In this blog post we will dive into the details of this process.
Marble flooring has become a popular choice of flooring in many homes today. It adds style, elegance and beauty to the house. Marble is a natural stone, strong enough to withstand the harshest conditions but over time it can lose its shine.
High traffic and furniture contributes to the scratching and dulling of the marble surface. Cracks and scratches occur in marble regardless of what you do to minimize such mishaps. While marble is a durable stone, it requires a certain amount of care and maintenance. If you clean marble without proper cleaner and equipment you will destroy the finish. General cleaners eat through marble minerals resulting in faded shine. It will cost you money to reverse the damage by fixing it yourself. NOVA Stone Care specialists are pros at marble floor restoration. They can restore your dull, etched, scratched marble floors to its former luster and shine.
NOVA Stone Care specialists use the highest quality diamond floor pads to grind down the surface to expose the fresh layer of stone. At the end of this process, the marble floors achieve a mirror-like or matte finish. Here is the step by step process of honing, polishing, buffing and sealing marble floors used by NOVA Stone Care specialist.
Step -1 Honing
Marble honing is a method of cutting the stone and creating a more even surface. It brings smoothness to the marble floor by removing scratch or etch marks. For this step NOVA Stone Care specialists use the top of the line diamond floor polishing pads in lower grits like 100, 200 and 400. The lower grit diamond floor pads remove the visible scratches. Apart from scratches, honing will also remove certain stains. Once the rough spots are honed away, the marble will have a matte finish. The finish will be very scratch resistant at this point because it is not glossy. In some cases, honing is all that’s needed to get your stone looking spectacular again, especially if you are not looking for a glossy, mirror-like finish.
Step 2 – Polishing
If you want a glossy finish, there’s a step after honing that will create the glossy finish you’re looking for. Polishing brings the stone to a shiny finish. Polishing is done by diamond floor pads with grit 800 and grit 1500. NOVA Stone Care specialists gently polish the surface using a fine grit until it sparkles. For marble floors in a good condition a polishing can be enough to bring back the shine.
Step 3 – Buffing
In this step we polish with the finer grit 3000. At times, crystallize of marble is done for finishing. The crystallization process entails spraying a liquid onto the marble surface and buffing it using steel wool properly fitted under the single disc floor machine of standard weight. It creates a chemical reaction which has a long-term impact on stone durability. This method protects and adds shine to the surface. It creates a sparkly, mirror-like finish.
Step 4 – Sealing
To seal the polished marble floor with a proper penetrating sealant is a crucial step to prevent water absorption. If you don’t seal your marble floors, any bit of moisture leaking through could cause marble to lose its shiny, glossy look. This step is essential for either old marble floor restoration or new marble polishing. We at NOVA Stone Care apply top of the line marble sealer as a final step. We suggest waiting 24 hours for the sealer to cure before stepping on the floors. Check out our project gallery section for more info and pictures.
