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When You Choose Marble Flooring
It is often thought that marble flooring is pretty much maintenance free since it is all natural stone that has been quarried from mountain ranges. This is not entirely true. While marble is a strong surface and is very wear resistant, it needs special care on a regular basis including cleaning, polishing, and sealing. Protecting marble flooring against spills and moisture will keep the floors looking new from 6 months to a year if done properly.
Marble is a porous stone meaning it has pores like our skin. These tiny pores can attract dirt and grime like a magnet. They can also retain grease and emit odors, and a spill such as a glass of wine can seriously stain marble. It usually takes professional cleaning to remove this type of stain.
When marble floors are first installed, they should be immediately treated with a good quality below-surface sealer along with a surface finishing treatment. These products will fill in the pores and create an invisible layer of protection. Reapplication should be done every 6 to 12 months depending on where the floor is located.
Why Does Marble Stain?
Marble is an alkaline product. If an acidic substance spills on untreated marble, it will cause a chemical reaction resulting in a permanent discoloration of the marble. Products that stain most often are fruit juices, sodas, vinegar-based liquids, some soaps and other cleaning products. Spills should be wiped up as quickly as possible with a clean, water-dampened cloth or sponge. Sealants applied on a regular basis will help protect the marble surface, but careful maintenance is necessary to keep marble stain-free and looking knew. For years, people have used vinegar and water to “wipe” the marble clean. This actually causes damage and should never be done. Glass cleaner is also never recommended. Both of these products are acidic and cause etching and dullness to marble floors.
Marble flooring is thought of as pretty much damage resistance because it is such a hard substance. However, marble is actually considered quite “soft” and can be easily damaged due to cracks, chips, and breakage. Proper installation can prevent a lot of future damage by making sure there are no gaps in the “thin set” under the tile. This can cause air pockets that become “faults” in the floor (or a weak spot).
With polished marble you also have to be aware of scratching that can occur. Using pads under furniture legs and careful placement of furniture can keep scratching to a minimum. Never pull or drag anything across a marble floor. Regular cleaning, polishing, and sealing will also help keep marble floors blemish free. Immediate removal of gritty dirt is also important. Marble is easy to maintain as long as it is cared for with products made especially for marble.
Keep your marble surfaces looking great for years to come with scheduled care by a professional for large surfaces, and for the do-it-yourselfer and smaller areas, make sure you always use non-acidic cleaners, polishes, and sealants. Waiting until wear and tear to set in can be costly as the surface can become uneven and difficult to clean. Don’t wait. As the old saying goes, “don’t put off for tomorrow what can be done today!”
