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MAINTAINING STONE TILES

MAINTAINING STONE TILES

Care of your driveway and tile is essential to keep the pavement clean and prevent stone damage.

All stone types require a certain level of maintenance to achieve the best results. It begins with sweeping the slabs periodically to clean the surface before it accumulates and becomes dirty. There can be innumerable reasons like leaves, berries, oil spills, bird droppings that leave stains. If you fail to clean your pavement slabs regularly, algae and fungi will layer them, resulting in a colour dullness of the paving surface. The dirt and stains on the pavers can be removed using a variety of cleaning procedures.

Outdoor Care:


Heavy obligation cleansing – On industrial surfaces, the dirt can increase easily regardless of everyday mild cleansing efforts. It is because of excessive volumes of traffic. We propose that a heavy obligation `Spring` clean is done as a minimum every three months, supplied that an appropriate cleanser and set of non-damaging gear are used together such as a buffing machine.

Acidic Harm– In inhabited urban areas, the rain will be acidic. The employment of acid-sensitive materials like marble wall tiles, natural limestone paving, travertine and onyx, is thus not suggested outdoors as discoloration and irreversible etching damage might occur. Bird stool and different animal excretions may be acidic, in conjunction with some kinds of leaves once left to bleed tannins over time. It is advised to scrub these up as shortly as possible.

Efflorescence –
It is more usually linked with concrete paving because the white powdery deposit forms in the calcium carbonated portions of the concrete, but it can also degrade natural stone paving slabs when set on mortar or concrete. While efflorescence can distract from the aesthetic of new pavement, it's vital to remember that, no matter how horrible it appears, it's just temporary will fade with time and isn't harming the stone. There are efflorescence removers that can be used to wipe away the worst of any deposit, but these are removers, not cures, and a new deposit will almost certainly emerge within a few days, even if it is not as heavy as the original. Washing with warm soapy water frequently accomplishes the same result at a far cheaper cost.


Controlling rust– Rust marks on metal patio furniture are common, and like efflorescence, they can be difficult, if not impossible, to completely remove. We suggest using an acidic cleanser with fresh water. For acid-sensitive stones like marble, limestone, and travertine, however, this is not suggested.


Deposits of hard water- Chemicals in our water supply can leave deposits on the surface, which are commonly mistaken for efflorescence. If your area has 'hard' water (water with a high concentration of calcium, magnesium, or other mineral salts), mineral deposits will form when you use tap water to wash the surface. These mineral deposits should be brushed away with a stiff broom as soon as possible before they harden and cling to the surface due to exposure to air and humidity.

Indoor Care:


Maintain a neutral Approach - It's ideal to clean your natural stone surface with pH balanced /neutral materials, as aggressive cleaning chemicals might harm the stone's surface. Detergent-based cleaners can leave a residue on the stone that is difficult to remove and attracts grime, so avoid this if at all possible. Before applying a new product to a large area, test it on a limited region first.

Light daily cleaning – To prevent the accumulation of grime and dirt, light cleaning can be done as often as you deem necessary.

Heavy-duty cleaning – Despite regular light cleaning efforts, filth can rapidly accumulate on commercial surfaces. This is due to excessive traffic volumes. A heavy-duty 'Spring' clean should be performed at least once every three months, provided that an appropriate cleanser and set of non-damaging instruments, such as a buffing machine, are utilised. Spills of liquids - If you drop liquids, try vacuuming with a brushing attachment first, then spot cleaning. This procedure is useful for any tiled floor with light grout that you want to maintain looking good for years. Spillage on sealants - While impregnating sealants repel water, grease, and oil, they do not offer a physical barrier to prevent spills, scuff marks, or dirt, thus all spills should be cleaned up right away. If liquids are not swept away quickly enough, they will penetrate the sealant, producing damage and discolouration.


Acidic spills - Sealants will not prevent acid etching on your stone surfaces. If you spill something acidic on your tiles, such as lemon juice, cola, vinegar, or wine, immediately neutralise it with water and clean it completely.

Stain removal - To clear stains from flooring, there are two primary methods:

1. Apply undiluted floor cleaner to the spots and wait at least 5 minutes for it to work. Scrub the area with a good brush before the cleaner dries. Wipe up any remaining cleaner with an absorbent paper towel before rinsing completely, with a mop and fresh water. As needed, repeat the process.

2. If you have challenging stains to eliminate, such as old oil stains, you should make an open poultice. To make a thick paste, combine an alkaline cleaner* and a dash of water. Spread the paste over the stain thickly and leave it for at least an hour, introducing more paste every 20 minutes to keep it moist and active. Use a spatula or spoon to scrape away the paste. Using a mop and freshwater, thoroughly rinse away any remaining cleaner. Repeat as needed.

Please note - While using an alkaline cleaner, avoid having contact with any metals other than stainless steel. Because alkaline is an oxidizer, it will corrode metal.

Prevent scratches – Natural stone surfaces can be scratched by dirt and grit from the outside world. Reduce this by frequently sweeping or vacuuming the area and using blankets or rugs to keep sand and dirt off the floor.

Polishing – Previously refined marbles, granites, and limestones can be re-polished to regain their original finish. Natural stone has an advantage over man-made materials such as porcelain in this regard – porcelain, unfortunately, cannot be re-polished once it has been repaired.

Waxing natural stone tiles is not suggested because it can dull the finish.

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