Natural stone floor tips by Statewide Stone care

When it comes to updating a facility’s interior, architects, owners, and others responsible for specifying building materials are increasingly pulling up carpet and synthetic flooring and replacing it with natural stone flooring.

Often forgotten about until the product is installed, however, is how the new flooring will be cared for, and if the upgrade will impact cleaning and maintenance budgets.

Stone floor tiles can lose their sparkle over time, and the grout can discolor. Fortunately, most types of stone are easy to care for and keep clean with some simple maintenance.

How to clean natural stone floor tiles

What you will need:

1. Bucket
2. Scrubbing brushes and cloths
3. Mop
4. Stone floor care products

Prepare carefully before start

If possible find out what products were used when the tiles were originally laid. Always test new products on an inconspicuous part of the floor first, such as a dark corner.

Choose the right products

Use a detergent formulated for calciferous. Dilute detergent with water in a ratio of 1:5 and apply generously with a sponge. You can try a stronger solution if very dirty.

Scrub away at ingrained dirt

Allow the product to work for 10-20 minutes, periodically scrubbing badly stained areas. The grouting, being rougher than the stone, is particularly susceptible to ingrained dirt and grease.

Wipe up residue and rinse

Wipe away the dirty cleaner. Rinse with a mop and a bucket of clean water.

Go over the stone floor tiles with an old towel to reduce drying time. Once dry, check if the tiles need to be resealed by leaving a few drops of water on the surface. If water soaks in, the floor will need an application of sealant.

Natural stone floors are huge investments. When such floors are damaged by improper cleaning, the restoration costs can be vey high. Therefore, it is essential to be able to have professionals at your service whenever you need help on how to maintain this unique type of flooring.

Terrazzo Floor Care & Maintenance’s tips by Statewide Stone care

Terrazzo is a composite material of marble chips and concrete or resin that is combined to create smooth, luxurious flooring or countertop material that captures the beauty of marble in a more affordable way.

Even though  terrazzo floors  are not marble, they are actually cleaned the same way.

Basic Terrazzo Care

The floor must be regularly swept, dust mopped, or vacuumed. Further, all spills should be cleaned as quickly as possible so they do not have a chance to penetrate or stain the floor.
To mop terrazzo floor, is good to use a neutral floor cleaner, and change the mop head and cleaning solution frequently. Research shows that when traditional mops are used, both the cleaning solution and the mop become soiled and contaminated.
When cleaning terrazzo floor, it is important to use a cleaner that is designed for the floor itself. This is because all-purpose cleaners and acids can damage your floor.

To keep the Terrazzo floor looking fantastic, follow this Statewide’s Cleaning Tips:
Establish a regular cleaning schedule to avoid long-term buildup of dust, dirt, and debris on your floor. Regular cleaning will help you avoid overuse stains.

If using a commercial cleaning product, even one specially formulated for terrazzo floors, test it in an inconspicuous area first to check for discoloration.

Never use an oil-based cleaner or stain remover. Oil products can permanently discolor terrazzo flooring.

Hard Terrazzo Cleaning

When there is a tough stain, people usually use harsh scrubbing pads like steel wool or scouring pads to remove them. As we mentioned previously, terrazzo floors are delicate in nature, and they will become much worse if you use any hard or rigid scrubbing materials.

Hiring a Professional

If you aren’t experienced with cleaning different flooring types and if the terrazzo floor has lost its shine or has stains you cannot remove with simple cleaning, it may be wise to hire a floor restoration specialist.

Hiring professional floor cleaners is a safe way to ensure the floor looks its best again, and for that, please fell free to Contact-us anytime you need!

Granite & Marble services in NYC: Statewide Stone care

When thinking about bathroom floors we must take into consideration many aspects necessary to preserve the most intimate environment of our homes.
It is very important for both residents and visitors that the bathroom offers a lot of comfort, tranquility and quite practicality when using it without difficulties.
When it comes to building or remodeling, we should think of things like color of floors for bathrooms, types of floors, anti-slip floors for bathrooms, whether to use floors or coatings, among other doubts.

There are several types of flooring and bathroom floor coverings.

Ceramics

Ceramics is one of the most sought after bathroom floors today and one of its great attractions is the price that is always below the market, compared to its competitors.
Advantages: There is a variety of colors, models, sizes and huge finishes.
Disadvantages: Its durability is not very good, so if you are thinking of putting ceramic tiles on commercial or industrial bathroom floors, rethink.

Granite & Marble

Granite and marble are undoubtedly more expensive than any other option
presented here, but are beautiful and are given as uniqueness.
Advantages: in addition to the indescribable beauty, there is an immense variety of models and colors to choose from. Another very strong point of granite and marble is that they are very weather resistant.
Disadvantages: If you can or want a work with an almost astronomical course is a great option for you, but the finish is also not a strong point of this material.

Wood Flooring

According to specialists, wood flooring should be avoided in the bathroom because they can not stand to be wet and wet.
In the end, everything depends even on the taste of the residents, whether you have a large bathroom or a small, does not change much, the important thing is to have a well decorated bathroom.

So, feel free to read all StateWide’s tips and try to adapt according to your taste into the renovation or construction of your bathroom, put it into action.

Marble Care services in NYC: Statewide Stone care

The choice of marble in the decoration of environments, contributes to make the decoration more elegant, rustic and special. It is a material that can lastfor a long time – up to 200 years – when taken care of.

However, any oversight can lead to a visually unpleasant appearance. And to avoid this, we will show you how to keep the beauty and shine ever shining in your marble decor.

Day to day

For the beauty of the material to be maintained for a long time, a good tip is always to have a soft sponge and neutral detergent diluted in water.
Well, drinks, for example, can bring different types of stains on the surface of materials made of marble. Whenever spillage occurs on this type of material, run the neutral detergent mixture with water on the premises within 3 hours.

Every 15 days

Another care that will leave the appearance of the most beautiful marble, is biweekly brushing. As with routine cleaning, the use of water-diluted neutral detergent and materials that fit the shape of installed stones is also indicated. For this, wipers, bushes, soft bristle brushes and other materials that facilitate cleaning according to the texture of the stone may be used. Therefore, always use a little water to prevent infiltration of non-waterproof stones.

Every 3 months

To do this heavier cleaning is indicated the use of washing machines of high pressure without being added chemical products. This resource for the cleaning of stones should be used with care and moderation, since the daily use can bring wear to the stones, which can lead to deformations over time and, thus, the replacement of the material. Therefore, this type of cleaning should be done only quarterly.

Statewide’s tip

The main recommendation is to purchase already waterproofed stones. This will prevent infiltration, mold and easy breaking of material. If you do not find stones with this treatment, ask the professional to use a good waterproofing on the opposite part of the material before installation.

Constant care and proper use of the correct cleaning materials will keep your sink, counter, wall or floor always looking perfect.

Granite Cleaning in NYC: Statewide Stone care

What is the best way to clean granite? This is a very common doubt and in this article we will clarify what are the best procedure for cleaning granite.

First of all, do the test:

Make sure your granite countertop is sealed. Unsealed granite will absorb more of the liquid spilled on it, such as oil, juices, coffee and others, evidently causing more stains than sealed countertops.

To check if the granite is sealed, leave a few drops of water on the surface. If after a few minutes, observe if the water seeped into the granite. If this happened, then it’s time to re-seal your stone.

If your granite is not sealed, you can always contact State Wide to seal or renew the seal of your granite.

What NOT TO DO:
Never use aggressive cleaning products such as steel sponges, acid products like vinegar, lemon or anything with ammonia or bleach. Frequent use of these chemicals will weaken the sealant over time. Basically, the stronger the cleaner, the faster it will break the sealant.

What TO DO:
Clean spills as soon as you notice them. And use warm water, a mild soap or detergent, and a microfiber cloth towel to clean your granite countertop daily.

How to disinfect granite:
Hot water and dish soap should be suitable for daily disinfection. However, if a stronger disinfectant is desired, mix a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. Spread over granite and let stand for 3-5 minutes, then rinse with water and pat dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid bleach or ammonia-based cleaning products.

How to Clean Granite Step by Step

Materials:

• Warm water
• Neutral soap or detergent
• Microfiber cloth
• Isopropyl alcohol (optional)

Instructions for cleaning granite:

1 – Clear
Just wipe any spills or crumbs on your countertop.

2 – Prepare
Dip dish cloth with warm soapy water. Fill the sink with warm water and some soap or detergent, then carefully go passing the clean cloth over the granite surface.

3 – Drying
Dry and polish your granite countertop completely with a microfiber cloth.

4 – Disinfect
To periodically disinfect your granite countertops, remove soap residue and restore gloss, mix a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. Spread over granite, let stand for 3-5 minutes, then rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.

Now that you know a little more about cleaning granite countertops, you can better conserve your countertop and leave your home with a more beautiful and clean environment. If you wish, here at Statewide stone care we can assist you in anything you need regarding your granite. Call us and speak with one of our professionals.

Slate Services in NYC: Statewide Stone care

Slate is a stone widely used in floors, coatings and even in ready-made pieces. In the following topics, you will be able to observe how the slate should be used in decoration.

Black slate

The black slate is an incredibly beautiful stone. It has a special shine, a wonderful texture and leaves the environments with an aspect of elegance and luxury.

It can be used in various parts of your home. The black slate looks beautiful on the floor and walls of the bathroom, for example. Or as flooring throughout the exterior of your home.

It can also be used in the kitchen, on the counter, in the bar, in the dining room. An external gourmet space, for example, looks beautiful made from the use of black slate.

Green Slate

In addition to the traditional black, the green slate has won the taste of many people. It escapes from the traditional and brings a more rustic and at the same time a modern touch to the house’s atmosphere.

This option has been widely used to decorate outdoor environments, such as gardens, for example, or balconies, garages and yards.

The main problem that people have with green slate is in the matter of brightness. When it does not look very beautiful, it is best to hire a company with trained professionals to apply chemicals that will help in the visuality of this wonderful stone.

Care

The main care with slate has to do with the stains, the colors and the shine of the stone. Some colored spots may appear on your black stone, for example. To eliminate them, there are a number of acids and chemicals that remove these stains.

Another problem is the whitening of parts of the slate. Also ideal is to use chemical products suitable for this type of problem. In both cases, the care needs to be done by trained professionals, as the wrong use of these substances can be very harmful for your stone.

In addition to these cares, there is also several products, such as waxes, varnishes and resins that can be used to brighten the slate.

Statewide Stone Care
“EXCELLENCE IN EVERY DETAIL.”

Stone cleaning in NYC: Statewide Stone care

Stones with a rustic finish like Travertine are often used to cover domestic walls and floors. However, after the application of the rocky material, the question arises: how to clean correctly, keeping the surface always beautiful?

The more porous and roughly coated stones require regular cleaning and constant care to prevent dirt buildup. In the case of residential floors, the recommended one is a daily sweeping, using a clean broom.

Also make periodic (weekly or biweekly) cleaning of these rocks, both on walls and floors, using soft bristle scourers or brooms and a solution of neutral detergent with water. Avoid excess water in the wash and never apply detergent directly on the stone, as these actions can cause stains on the material.

Once every three months the use of high-pressure washers (without the addition of chemicals) for the heavier hygienization of unpolished natural surfaces, for example granites and quartzites, is recommended.

Remember of never using abrasive or chemically aggressive products like caustic soda, alcohol, kerosene, removers and solvents on rough stones. Clean only with agents that retain neutral pH. Acidic or alkaline substances may promote chemical reactions with the minerals present in the rock composition and result in surface discolouration.

Oils, greases, gasoline, soil, paints in general, should be removed and cleaned with water and neutral detergent as quickly as possible to avoid the appearance of blemishes. In case of incrusted dirt, the recommendation is to first try cleaning with neutral soap and water using brushes with stiffer bristles or jets of water under pressure.

When the hygienization suggested was not effective or the stone presents deep dirt, the best is to hire a specialized company with proven experience in cleaning rocks. For the removal of slime, which may appear in shaded and / or moist areas, the service generally uses bleach or fungicides. On the other hand, in the removal of oil stains, absorbent substances (powder or plaster) are used, sometimes with some associated solvent.

Statewide tip: during installation of rocky finishes, a good thing is to waterproof the back of the tiles and the base of the flooring (underlayment or sub-floor) in order to prevent stains. In coatings subject to contact with oils, fats or greases, it is also advisable to waterproof the surface with water and oil repellent products.

Granite Care in NYC

Granite is very sturdy stone and due to its durability, it is ideal for use in countertops in kitchens and bathrooms and widely used in homes and businesses.

It is resistant to most chemicals, except oil, because it can penetrate into the stone and stain the surface. It is also resistant to heat and scratches and to most acids, such as soft drinks and juices.

Granite adds a touch of elegance to any environment, but the elegance can be diminished over time or when stains and damages have occurred.

Regular granite care includes proper cleaning and use of sealant to prevent stains.

We recommend that your granite countertops are professionally cleaned and sealed every one or two years, as well as the granite floors. Or if you see any scratches, blemishes or any other damage on your granite.

If your granite is opaque, stained or damaged, it is time for a professional treatment and restoration.

The granite restoration floors process is done in four steps which are: scraping, repairing cracks, polishing and waterproofing.

• Scraping: This step is done with the aid of a thick sandpaper that removes all the dirt that is trapped in the granite. In this step the floor leveling also is done.
• Crack Repair: In this step a plastic mass that helps to close the part that is damaged is used.
• Polishing: Polishing is used for fine-grained stones that do not scratch the floor, polishing is done until the surface is smooth.
• Waterproofing: To finish this process the floor is sealed so that it is protected against stains and continue with the brightness.

When your granite needs restoration, call only professionals who have the expert knowledge to work with granite. If it needs to be restored, polished, re-polished, cleaned and sealed, only professional technicians can perform these services for you without risking your granite.

Granite, Limestone & Marble in NYC.

Today we will give you some tips of 3 types of stone for 3 different rooms of your home that can be exactly what are you looking for.

Let’s start with the one that usually is the most important room in a family’s home: the kitchen.

Granite is commonly used in countertops because of its great durability and number of colors, it doesn’t matter what color your kitchen is, you certainly will find granite in a color that matches the room.

Granite is also considered a very versatile stone that can be also used in floors, stairs and other spaces.

From the kitchen, let’s jump to the most pleasant room, if you thought about the backyard, yes, you are right!

One of the good options to use here, is the limestone, as it can be used in floors or walls. Because of its versatile appearance and type of material, once it is very resistant to the action of time it’s often used in the outdoors.

Now let’s talk about the room that is one of the best allies after a long day or a long period away from home. Nothing is better than a good shower or a relaxing bath to renew the energies.

The stone to be used in the bathroom need to be easy to maintain (i.e. clean), resistant and be a good match to the other indispensable parts of the bathroom.

When it comes to the bathroom, this time we will suggest the classic one: marble. Marble it’s “America’s sweetheart” stone to be used in bathroom constructions or renovation due to its refinement and sense of space as it favors the easy lightning and expansion of light, making this room look bigger than what actually is and still look a cozy and relaxing room.

Marble Polishing in NYC

It is no novelty to say that marble is known for its elegance and popularity in use as flooring, countertops and in the furniture creation.

In addition of being very versatile and a material that suits various situations and needs, marble is also known for its strength and durability. However, these characteristics usually make us think that marble do not need repairs and care.

Over time marble exhibit opacity due to natural wear or unsuitable maintenance that can even stain the floor, so with the right marble polish the coating returns to having that shiny appearance of before removing all marks, stains and scratches.

Precisely because it is a common choice for large surfaces, marble is constantly subject to wear, scratches and stains that can damage the material and even its performance.

The porous surface of the stone needs special care, the daily cleaning is not enough to keep it always beautiful, so it is necessary to seek help from professionals to do the cleaning and correct conservation of the floor from time to time, and the marble polish is part of this whole process of restoration.

There are two types of Marble polish:

• Manual marble polishing: performed through specific scrapers to remove debris such as cement, paint and other waste of the genus;
• Chemical marble polishing: carried out by means of machines right for this kind of work and that make the application of products destined to each type of stone.

In the marble polishing process, appropriate machines are used where their weight and rotation provide excellent results.

When it comes let the marble floor looking good as new, the perfect solution for this, is the marble polish.

Learn more about marble polish in our blog, to ensure a long life to your floor with greater durability and beauty.

Statewide Stone Care
“EXCELLENCE IN EVERY DETAIL.”