Marble creates some of the most beautiful floors in the world. You can see examples in ancient buildings, cathedrals and stately homes as well as public building and homes. Italian marble is probably the most famous but marble can also be sourced from Spain, China and India. A few other countries supply a small amount, such as Irish Connemara marble with its distinctive green colouring. This is produced in much smaller quantities and is therefore considerably  more expensive.

Marble is formed when limestone is subjected to high levels of pressure and heat over long periods of time. Minerals and salts trapped in the limestone as it crystalizes give it those distinctive patterns.

Looking after your marble floor

As a floor surface, marble is both beautiful and durable. However, because of its porous nature it requires regular maintenance to keep it looking at its best. Any spills should always be cleaned up right away as liquid can seep into marble creating a permanent stain. This is particularly important with acidic substances such as wine or vinegar. As marble is basically limestone it is alkaline in nature so will react with acids. This creates etching marks which can spoil the look of a perfect polished floor. Marble floors should be washed daily using a PH neutral soap and buffed once dry. They should also be polished daily if possible. This not only makes them it looks good, but it also helps to maintain the protective properties of the sealant.

How we can help

Sometimes, however some professional help is required. At the Marble Restoration Company we can provide a full range of services. In addition to your daily maintenance routine, it is a good idea to give your marble flooring a “service” every five years. The floor should be stripped and resealed and any minor restoration work such as removing surface scratches can also be done at this time. This should be enough to keep your floor in top condition unless there are any extra problems which might need attention sooner.

Common problems include cleaning a build-up of dirt in the grout lines or sanding to remove deeper scratches and etching from acid spills. Dirt can get trapped in grout lines due to not rinsing off cleaning water properly which may require treatment.

There may also be damage from moving heavy equipment, especially in commercial properties. In this case, the floor can be re-honed and sanded. Cracks can be filled with stone dust and resin, coloured to match the original marble. We can also replace damaged tiles with new ones which can be treated to ensure that they blend in well with the existing floor

You might notice that floors in public or commercial buildings always seem to look better. This is because they are more likely to get regular maintenance using more professional equipment such as a buffing machine. Because of this domestic floors may need to be resealed more often – perhaps every 2 instead of 5 years.

Maintaining your marble flooring either at home or in your business premises does involve a bit of extra effort and cost. When professional help is required you can benefit from our 28 years of marble restoration experience to ensure that the job is done to the highest standards for a competitive price. Professional care of your marble floor is an investment that ensures that this beautiful natural material will always look its best.

Whether you need, Marble Polishing, Marble Cleaning or Marble Honing, Get in touch with The Marble Restoration Company today.

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