Stone Floor Care and Refinishing for Schools

New York and New Jersey are home to some of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the nation. Many of these facilities are located in historic buildings, often laid with marble, granite, travertine, or other natural stone tiles on the floors (and sometimes walls). Your school’s stone surfaces are important not only for their beauty, but also for their durability. But without proper care and maintenance, these surfaces can easily show their age, especially considering how many thousands of feet walk those halls year after year.

The good news is that with the right care and occasional stone floor refinishing, your school’s surfaces can be renewed to their natural beauty. Even if your stone floors and walls have been around for generations, proper care can allow them to stay in place for several generations more! Here’s what you need to know about keeping stone and tile surfaces in top condition across your campus.

Common Types of Stone Flooring Used in Schools

There are numerous types of stone flooring used in schools. Let’s take a look at three of the most common flooring types.

Marble

The most popular stone flooring option for schools is likely marble, a beautiful and durable material that is often chosen for its aesthetic appeal. Marble tiles certainly add a touch of elegance to the “hallowed halls” of any school or campus building. At the same time, marble is a softer stone, making it susceptible to staining and scratches from dirt, sand, and grit brought in from outside. In high-traffic areas, marble floors can begin to show wear and tear more quickly than harder stone types. Despite these challenges, marble floors can last for decades with proper care and maintenance.

Granite

Another stone flooring option popular among schools is granite. This type of stone is much harder than marble, making it more resistant to scratching and staining. In fact, granite is one of the hardest stone materials available. As a result, granite floors are often chosen for high-traffic areas where durability is key. Schools may often install granite countertops specifically for their durability.

Travertine

Travertine is a specific type of limestone that is mined from hot springs and caves, yielding an “earthy” texture. Honing and polishing travertine floors creates a very beautiful glossy look, but it’s just as attractive with a matte finish–and in fact, many schools prefer the matte finish because it offers good traction for foot traffic. Although it’s softer than marble or granite, travertine tends to mask scratches due to its texture, and it holds up well against traffic. However, if you don’t clean and seal travertine regularly, it can be prone to unsightly stains and etching.

The Importance of Proper Care for Stone Floors in Schools

All stone floors need to be properly maintained to continue looking their best, but this is especially true for schools because they see continual high traffic and heavy use. Without regular care, these floors can quickly show signs of wear, lose their luster, and even develop potentially dangerous chips and cracks. Here are some tips for keeping your school’s stone surfaces clean and in good condition.

General Cleaning and Maintenance

The first and best way to protect your stone surfaces is to keep them clean. Dust, dirt, and other debris can damage the finish and make the surface more susceptible to stains. For general cleaning, use a soft cloth or brush and a mild, diluted soap solution. Avoid using harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, or ammonia on stone floors or walls as these can damage the finish. Occasional floor polishing can remove light blemishes and scratches. You should also have your stone surfaces professionally cleaned and sealed every few years.

Repairing Damage and Cracks

Some wear and tear will inevitably occur over time, especially in high-traffic areas. If you notice cracks, chips, or other damage to your school’s stone surfaces like floors or stairs, it’s important to have them repaired as soon as possible. Failure to do so can allow the damage to spread and become more difficult (and expensive) to repair–and in some cases, it can also present a safety hazard for your students. A professional stone care service can quickly and easily repair any damage to your school’s stone surfaces, returning them to their original condition.

How Often Should a School Refinish Its Floors?

Over time, you may notice dulling, worn areas on your school’s stone floors, especially along lanes of heavy foot traffic. The best way to return these floors to their original sheen is by refinishing them. The frequency with which you need to refinish your stone floors will depend on several factors, including the type of stone, the finish, the level of traffic, and how well the floors are cared for. For example, marble floors in high-traffic areas may need to be refinished every one to three years, while granite or travertine floors in low-traffic areas may only need to be refinished every five to seven years. A professional stone care service can assess your floors and advise you on how often they need to be refinished.

During the refinishing process, the technician will buff the surface with special diamond grit pads to create an even finish across the floor’s surface. You can restore the floor’s original sheen, or you can create a new look by choosing a different finish, whether it’s a matte finish, high honed (semi-gloss) finish, or a high-gloss finish.

Work with a New York Stone Care Professional

The natural stone and tile floors of your campus buildings are more than just for people to walk on–they are often an important part of your school’s history and identity. Proper care and refinishing of these surfaces will preserve your heritage and legacy while adding to the overall beauty of your campus. Statewide Stone Care (a stonework company) offers a full array of repair, restoration, refinishing, cleaning, and maintenance services for schools across New York and New Jersey. For a free quote on our stone care services, contact us today.

Signs Your Marble Countertop Needs to be Repaired

Marble countertops bring a timeless, classic look to any kitchen or bathroom. But even with proper care and maintenance, marble can be prone to damage. Knowing when your marble needs repair is key to ensuring it remains as beautiful as the day it was installed. Let’s look at some key indicators to tell you when it’s time to schedule a professional marble countertop repair.

Scratches or Wear and Tear in the Marble

While versatile and durable, marble is still a relatively soft stone that can be scratched and damaged by sharp objects. Over time, with constant use (as with busy kitchens), you may start seeing signs of wear and tear such as light scratches and scuff marks. If these marks don’t go away with normal cleaning or buffing with a soft cloth, it’s likely a sign that you need to repair the surface.

Stains or Visible Burns

Marble is also susceptible to staining, so if you have marble countertops, take extra care not to spill acidic or oily foods as they can discolor the marble over time—and if you do spill, clean it up quickly Additionally, unlike granite countertops, marble can char if exposed to excessive heat—so keep hot pots and pans away from marble surfaces to avoid damage. If any staining or burn marks become visible, professional marble repair will be needed to restore the countertop to its original condition.

Cracks, Fissures, or Holes in the Countertop

Cracks, fissures, and/or holes in marble countertops can occur from a variety of causes. Heavy objects dropped on marble surfaces may cause them to crack or chip, as can exposure to extreme temperatures. Occasionally, inconsistencies in the marble itself can cause fissures to appear, which may develop into cracks.

The danger with cracks or chips is that they can worsen over time, so it’s important to have them repaired as soon as possible after you notice them. If left unattended, the damage may become severe enough that the countertop will need to be replaced rather than repaired. In extreme cases, cracks in the marble can even be unsafe as part of the counter may break and cause injury.

Dullness on the Surface

Over time, with normal use, marble finishes tend to lose their shine. You may begin to notice that parts of your countertop that you frequently use have a dulled appearance compared to other parts of the surface. When this happens, the best way to restore the countertop’s appearance and consistency is to call in the professionals to do repairs.

Difficulty Cleaning

As marble ages, it becomes more porous—and even with proper care and regular cleaning, nearly imperceptible scratches may occur. Dirt and debris can begin to accumulate in these pores and crevices, and while these imperfections may not be clearly visible, you’ll notice the difference in the way the surface becomes more and more difficult to clean. If the marble surface is no longer responding to your normal cleaning routine, it’s a fairly good indicator that the surface needs to be repaired.

Work with a New York Marble Countertop Repair Professional

If your marble countertops appear to be only slightly damaged, you may be tempted to try repairing them yourself–and indeed, home improvement and hardware stores have plenty of products on hand to help you do so (such as hand buffers and epoxies for filling cracks). However, in many cases, if not most, DIY repairs end up doing more harm than good. It’s very difficult to get repaired surfaces to match the look of the rest of the countertop, for example, and if you’re not properly trained to use the equipment, you can actually make the damage worse, adding even more to your repair costs. The best way to make sure you’re getting a high-quality repair is to hire a marble countertop repair professional in New York who has the necessary experience and tools to get the job done right.

Professional marble countertop repairs don’t have to be expensive or time-consuming, especially if you notice the damage and address it early. Over time, these repairs can extend the life of your marble countertops and save you thousands of dollars on replacement.

Statewide Stone Care (a stonework company) has been providing expert repairs, refinishing, and restoration of natural stone surfaces across the Tri-State area for many years. Our team knows just what to do to get your countertops looking their best again. Contact us today to schedule a free evaluation.

A Guide to Stone Restoration – STATEWIDE STONE CARE

Your stone surfaces are an important part of your home or business, so it’s crucial to keep them looking their best. Unfortunately, even with regular cleaning and upkeep, time and wear and tear eventually take their toll. Marble floors, granite countertops, and other natural stone surfaces begin to look worn and scratched, or their finishes become dull–especially in areas of high traffic and heavy use. That’s where professional stone restoration comes in.

Unfortunately, many home, business, and building owners delay doing anything about their worn-looking stone surfaces–mainly because they believe their only option is to replace the stonework, which can admittedly be quite expensive. The good news is that there are other, more cost-effective options available. With today’s advanced stone restoration techniques, it’s possible to completely revitalize your tired and worn natural stone surfaces without having to replace them. The following guide will help you know everything you need to know about stone restoration–what it is, what it entails, and most importantly, how having stone surfaces restored can benefit your floors, counters, and other natural stone surfaces.

What Is Stone Restoration?

Stone restoration is a broad term that refers to returning damaged or worn stone surfaces back to their original condition at the time of installation, or as close to new condition as possible. Because every type of stone is different and because the underlying causes of disrepair are different in every situation, restoration can include a wide range of processes as expert technicians determine the best methods to utilize to bring back the stone’s natural beauty. The restoration process is extremely useful in preserving and repairing historic buildings (which often contain large amounts of stonework) because it keeps the original stone as part of the structure without having to replace it. Stone restoration can also refresh areas of high foot traffic, breathe new life into aging countertops, and much more.

The Stone Restoration Process

The stone restoration process begins with one of our experienced technicians making a site visit to your home, business, or building to evaluate the condition of the stone. When he is through assessing the stone type and condition, the technician explains the proven methods for restoration, offers illustrations, examples, and advice, guides you through the various stone restoration processes, and explains any difficulties you can face. After discussing the options and deciding on the best approach, you’ll be given a quote as to what needs to happen and what it will cost.

Once you’ve reached an agreement, the work begins. Our technicians are specially trained in all aspects of stone restoration and will work diligently to restore your surfaces to their original condition. The methods used during the process will depend on the type of stone being worked on as well as the underlying issues. Some common techniques used during stone restoration include, but are not limited to:

• Grinding: We use a variety of abrasive pads to grind down the stone, removing scratches, stains, and other blemishes in the process.
• Leveling and lippage removal: We grind down uneven areas, especially around the edges of stone and tile, to return them to a smooth, even surface.
• Stain removal: We use a variety of poultices designed to draw stains out of virtually every type of stone.
• Honing: Honing uses a finer stone-polishing pad to produce a smoother finish–an excellent solution for stone surfaces that do not have deep scratches or stains but still need to be refreshed. Honing is also the process of choice for creating a matte finish on stone surfaces or improving traction on stairs.
• Polishing: We use a variety of fine abrasive compounds to restore the original luster and shine of the stone. This is a proven process for creating a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish.
• Crystallizing: Using advanced chemical compounds, crystallizing creates an ultra-high gloss finish on stone surfaces–an excellent solution for restoring calcium-based surfaces like limestone or travertine.
• Buffing: Buffing is used for fine-tuning, evening out the finish or fixing minor blemishes in the stone.
• Sealing: Most stone surfaces need to be sealed after they’ve been restored. It’s a critical part of the process because it creates an invisible barrier that protects the stone against contaminants that could cause staining and ensures the stone retains its beauty for a long time.

How to Tell When Your Stone Needs to Be Restored

There are several signs that indicate when it’s time to have stone restoration done. If you see any of the following, it’s time to give us a call:

• Scratches: Surface scratches can be unsightly and detract from the beauty of the stone. In some cases, they can also lead to deeper damage if they’re not addressed in a timely manner.
• Stains: Many types of stone are porous and can absorb spills, which can lead to staining. If you have stains on your stone surfaces, call us right away–the sooner we address them, the better the chance of complete removal.
• Etching: Etching occurs when an acidic substance comes into contact with the stone, causing it to eat away at the surface. If you see any etching on your stone, it’s important to have it addressed as soon as possible because it can lead to further damage if left untreated.
• Uneven finishes: If you have areas of continual foot traffic and heavy use, these areas can eventually look dull compared to the rest of the surface.
• General loss of luster or shine: Over time, the shine on stone surfaces can diminish, making the surface look dull. This is usually due to a build-up of dirt and debris, but it can also be the result of wear and tear.

Can I Restore Stone Myself?

We don’t recommend it. Stone restoration is a delicate process that requires the use of specialized equipment and techniques. Many people who attempt the DIY approach end up causing more damage can calling us anyway. It’s best to leave it to the professionals so you can be sure the job will be done right.

Who Can Help with Stone Restoration in New York?

We can! At Statewide Stone Care (a Stonework company), we specialize in high-quality restoration for all types of stone and tile surfaces, both new and old. We work with homeowners, business owners, property managers, architects, and contractors across the Tri-State area. We have the experience, knowledge, and tools to restore your stone to its original beauty. For a free quote on our stone restoration services, contact us today.