Floor Services in NYC: Statewide Stone care

Each house has a style, each room has its specifications, and each person has their priorities. So the choice of the ideal flooring for every environment of a home is so important.

By making the right choice, everything will be easier, from the warmth that will take the environment, to the ease of cleaning and everyday movement.
Many features need to be considered when choosing the ideal floor, we should think even in the climate of the region where the house is built. When deciding which floor to put in our house, we must take into account some very important points:

• Installation
• Maintenance
• Durability

Installation

When planning a house, the first thing to be thought is the structure, so when this part is ready, it is time to choose the ideal floor for each environment.

This moment needs to be taken very seriously, because any mistakes in this choice can lead to great damage in the future.

Floor installation should be done by skilled labor (do not skimp on that, this saved value can bring a lot of headaches in the future), and should be one of the last things to be done in the house structure.

Maintenance

At the moment we think about the ideal floor, we must consider the functionality of the environment in which it will be installed.

Specially because each environment has a different type of maintenance, just as each type of floor requires different care.

Environments with hardwood floors can’t be cared the same way as environments with tiled floors.

As the types of floors have their different maintenance, when choosing the ideal floor, we must worry about the maintenance as well.

Durability

The durability of the floor is very important, and an ideal one will last for a long time and resisting over the years.

So when choosing your floor, prefer those of durable and sturdy materials, even if they cost a little more, the cost of the benefit is worth it.

By following these Statewide’s tips and by choosing your ideal floor, it is virtually impossible to miss the decor of your home. Look for the best suppliers of products and materials, and let’s get started!

There is probably no other architectural surface as impressive as stone.  It brings a sense of class, strength and beauty to any building, but that is as long as it’s properly maintained. 

However, soil and dirt gets trapped in the pores of your stone and causes the surface to look dirty and dark. This dirty and dark look in your stone is virtually impossible to remove with traditional cleaning processes. 

Also, some other problems can appear over time, specially if your stone isn’t protected.

But how to know if your stone is protected?

Take a spoonful of water: pour it on your stone tile and then wait for 5 minutes.

– Did the water absorb?
– Did the color darken?

If you answered yes to any of the questions, your hard surfaces are vulnerable to staining.

A stone must be resealed when it is allowing liquid to penetrate its sealant. This will cause stains, etches, and even possibly cracks to the stone. Stones that take a heavy beating – especially in high traffic areas, so a proper seal is imperative. To reseal, the area must first be properly cleaned of all dirt and impurities, which could be sealed into the stone if not removed. The sealant then needs to be applied in right amount and type for a proper seal, this may require more than one application.

Consider these important points before deciding on DIY or professional sealing:

• Size of the stone
• Type of stone (softer stones, like marble, may require more sealant)
• State of stone (if the stone sees heavy use, it may need sanding or other repair before sealing)
• Any cracks or etches that may require additional work before sealing
• Longevity of seal (professional work will likely last longer, though cost more upfront)
• Tools for the job (depending on the preparation needed before sealing, you may need professional tools to get the stone in a state to seal)

Luckily, our highly skilled State Wide crew see these kinds of problems and many more, every day. We’ll bring back the beauty and safety of your stone surfaces.

Choosing the right fireplace stone by Statewide Stone care

If you’re in the planning stages of building a fireplace or making over an existing one, you may feel overwhelmed choosing the right materials. On top of deciding what style suits you and your family best, cost, labor and maintenance make it even more confusing.

Options for fireplace materials

After addressing your budget and maintenance capacity, consider these fireplace stone options:

Limestone

If you want an elegant and formal style in your space, limestone offers the perfect choice. Keep it clean and simple, or ornate with intricate carvings. If you’d prefer a more rustic style, choose stacked limestone. It’s a durable but porous, making it prone to scratches and stains. Cleaning limestone can be challenging, and it should always be sealed.

Marble

Place marble on top of fireplace masonry for a bright, sleek look. Marble should always be sealed and is fairly easy to clean. However, it can stain, scratch and chip easily. Repairs lean toward expensive.

Slate

If your style bears more “rustic cottage,” slate might be the perfect option for you. Incorporate it with a stacked stone look, or apply it as slate tile for clean lines. Slate does require regular cleaning and occasional deep cleaning. It stands as one of the most durable materials aside from granite, but will stain.

Granite

Choose granite for a clean, contemporary look. It’s one of the most durable stones, and very easy to keep clean. Granite requires sealing, but should stand up to almost anything.

Travertine

A very versatile stone, travertine can be installed as stacked bricks for a rustic look, laid as tile for a modern look or carved for an Old-World look. Travertine wears very similar to limestone and marble as far as composition, making it extra sensitive to stains and scratches.

Natural stone based fireplace surround area are the trend right now. There is huge variety of design ideas in the market that can be used for your fireplace redo. The stone choice lies with the homeowners as it depends on a couple of factors like budget, style preference and maintenance level of the stone.

Marble, Granite and Quartz’s tips by Statewide Stone care

Simple care can enhance the beauty of natural stones.

Two of the main advantages of using stones in the decoration and coating are its durability and strength. However, they also suffer with time and constant use. Another key to ensuring beauty is the finishing of these stones which, if not properly coated with a good sealer, will have their durability reduced due to the absorption of liquids.

To ensure that marble and granite maintain their color and luster you should be aware of these 9 Statewide’s tips:

1 – Use only a damp cloth. If you need detergents, choose the neutral colorless.

2 – Never use products such as bleach, acid or corrosive products.

3 – In the case of marble, it is still necessary to be very careful with the contact with foods such as coffee, soft drinks, lemon, vinegar, oily products etc., because even being sealed, it is a porous stone, it tend to absorb liquids. Therefore, clean the area immediately with a damp cloth and a neutral detergent.

4 – For polished granite, the greatest care is related to the well-being of the users. Avoid traffic on this floor when it is wet, as it is quite slippery. On the other hand, this stone can be used without fear on kitchen countertops, in addition to being quite hygienic, does not scratch easily.

5 – Use a cutting board for meats, greens, and vegetables. The possibility of scratching the granite stone is low, but not zero.

6 – Use pan rests. Although it is impossible to burn or melt the stone, the sealer is vulnerable to excessive heat and can be damaged. As a consequence, it may lose effectiveness. In addition, because of the different mineral elements that make up a stone, some can react to heat and generate cracks.

7 – Do not sit on the countertops. The stone is naturally hard but not flexible, so much weight at one point can cause cracking or even breaking it.

8 – The cleanser is recommended for weekly use, throughout your entire workbench. It does not damage the sealer and further enhances its protection.

9 – It is recommended to seal the stone annually to properly protect and maintain the finish.

Bonus Tip – Quartz

The quartz surface can not be cleaned with any abrasive cleaner. On the contrary, these products can often scratch and stain the surface finish. To avoid setbacks, use a neutral detergent when servicing or cleaning. But if it is necessary to remove fat and stains, you can use specific products.

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.”