Stone Polishing: High-Quality Process to Restore the Shine on Marble Surfaces in Chicago, IL
May 28, 2018
Marble is prized for its beauty, style, and elegance. Quarried from mountains around the globe, this natural stone has graced the most luxurious palaces throughout history. For this reason, it offers a deluxe option for many homeowners who want an upscale look in their house. There are some drawbacks when it comes to the maintenance of marble tiles. Marble is porous and prone to water penetration as well as staining from colorful liquids because of its natural composition. This can only be prevented by using a special sealant to seal the surface, suggestively once a year for optimal protection. This natural stone will have a chemical reaction when it comes in contact with acidic substances, which often leads to discoloration, stains, and dull spots on the surface. Any cleaning product, beverage, or liquids with acidic properties can cause damage to the marble tiles and these stains can only be removed with professional techniques, tools, and qualified products.
Our next client, a fashion designer from Chicago, IL, decided to remodel his vanity top and floor using marble tiles. The high polish and shimmering radiance achieved on the surface was astonishing. It evoked elegance, glamor, and it gave the house an air of sophistication the owner really loved. The white marble floor tiles glowed when the sun hit them and the translucent vanity was just a gorgeous sight to behold. Unfortunately, after several months, the gleam and shimmer started to fade. He noticed dull spots, stains, and scratches appearing on the vanity top. His floor no longer shone as before, and the tiles were marred by dirty grout lines. The issues couldn't be solved with conventional means, so he needed to contact our stone polishing experts in Chicago, IL, to bring back the beauty of his surfaces.
He asked his housekeeper if she knew why the floor and the vanity top looked so unappealing. The maid had no idea. She always kept the house clean and focused her attention on keeping the beautiful marble surfaces pristine. Nevertheless, she said she would try and solve the problem using a different cleaning method. As instructed, she mixed baking soda and dishwashing liquid with warm water. She mopped the floor using the mixture, and she used a sponge to scrub the vanity top. This chore took almost all day as the maid tried her best to give the shine back to the surfaces. Unfortunately, there were no positive changes, and the dull spots remained, blemishing the floor and the vanity top. The owner was not pleased with this outcome. He decided to look for better solutions.
He called one of his friends to see if she knew anything that could help. She suggested looking for a professional stone polishing company because the problem would be solved faster and with better results. She recommended checking out Sir Grout Chicago's website because she had heard we offer the best hard surface restoration processes. He took her advice and went online to gather information about us on our site. As he browsed the page, our picture gallery
caught his attention. He was happy to see we could bring back the shine on marble surfaces that had the same damage as his floor and vanity top. After reading all the positive feedback we had received over the years, he was convinced we could solve his problem. He filled out a "Request a Quote" form to schedule a free in-home consultation.
On the appointed date, we arrived at the house to begin the evaluation of the surfaces and to offer the most effective solution for the problems. We greeted the owner and proceeded with the assessment. We began by examining the floor; we noticed the scratches left by foot traffic and the accumulation of dirt in the grout lines. Upon closer inspection, we spotted etches on the surface. We explained that etching is caused by the usage of harsh cleaning products or spills of acidic substances left lingering on the stone for long periods of time. We could also tell the sealant on the surface had worn out, which had caused the marble to absorb all sorts of liquids and accumulate stains. We continued by inspecting the vanity top. We found out that it suffered from etching as well, and because of that, it had lost its beautiful glow and shimmer.
We pointed out that natural stone surfaces are porous materials and are highly prone to these kinds of damages. When this happens, they require proper maintenance and professional treatment. We offered a stone polishing service to restore the luster of the surfaces and remove all the scratches and dull spots from the floor and the vanity top. We would use our advanced techniques and high-quality, stone-safe products to ensure the best results possible. We would polish the stone back to the high-gloss desired by the owner and seal the surfaces to help prevent any damage in the future. We would use our unique and exclusive sealant Stone Armor. This top of the line product offers a high level protection while giving the stone an enhanced look. The owner was pleased with our assessment and immediately set up a date for the job.
We returned to our client's house a couple of days later to begin the stone polishing process. It was a procedure that required skillful techniques, professional tools, and superior products. Several steps were going to be necessary to complete the job. We decided to start working on the floor. We cleaned the marble tiles using stone-safe products and a high-speed scrubber. Our cleaner now has an enhanced formula that can help inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. This was imperative to remove all the dirt and dust from the surface and leave it ready for the next step. When the floor was no longer dirty, we performed all the necessary repairs in the grout lines and left them pristine and spotless. Once this was done, we started the honing process. We ran three sets of honing pads with increasing levels of grit. We continued grinding until all etches and scratches were removed. When this was completed, we were ready to begin the polishing process.
To polish the stone and achieve the shine desired by our client, we increased the level of grit and grinded using a series of abrasive materials and our special powders. When we obtained the requested gloss, we finished the procedure by sealing the surface with our exclusive and unique Stone Armor. This sealant is especially useful on floors because it protects the surface from the wear and tear of heavy foot traffic, and shields it from all sorts of liquids, providing protection against stains and other damaging agents. It also enhances the marble by giving it a brand-new look. After the work on the floor was done, we proceeded to restore the vanity top. The process was essentially the same, and we made sure all the dull spots and etches were removed with our special honing pads.
After all the steps were completed, the floor looked magnificent; its shiny, gorgeous elegance had been fully restored. All the scratches and dull spots had been removed, revealing the beauty of the marble. The floor regained its amazing natural charm and allure. The vanity top also had a wonderful new appearance. It had a fantastic gloss that was awe inspiring. This level of restoration could have only been achieved with our experienced work and techniques. The end result would be easy to keep, and with the right maintenance, it would last for a long time.
We invited our client to see the results of our work. He was delighted to see his floor gleaming beautifully. All the dullness was gone and the scratches no longer blemished the splendor of the marble. He was also impressed by the vanity top's astonishing new shine and said it was breathtaking. Pleased with our performance, the owner stated that from that point on, he would certainly recommend Sir Grout Chicago to all his friends, family, and neighbors. We provide our clients the best solution for their problem and guarantee long lasting, easy to maintain results.
We also take time to train our clients on how to perform proper maintenance on their restored surface. Before leaving, we gave the housekeeper some recommendations and suggestions to keep the flawless condition of the marble for a long time:
- If any spill occurs, they should be cleaned up immediately. This is because marble is porous and can easily absorb liquids that linger on the stone, causing stains or discoloring the tiles. Use a wet microfiber cloth to wipe out the surface gently to prevent any scratches.
- Use pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaners. It is important to stay away from harsh cleaners because marble is highly sensitive to anything acidic. Using these types of cleaners will create etches on the stone, dulling its shine. Do not use: vinegar, ammonia, citrus cleaners, and cleaners intended for ceramic.
- Do not let the surface air dry. If water/cleaning solution is allowed to soak into the marble, it could cause discoloration or stains.
- Marble needs periodical maintenance in terms of sealing. If it is unsealed, all sorts of liquids would be absorbed very easily causing issues and no matter how well the stone is cleaned you will always see the appearance of etch marks.
It is possible to restore the shine of your dull, lifeless natural stone surfaces with Sir Grout Chicago's professional help. Our award-wining stone polishing processes are guaranteed to satisfy your needs. We provide experienced and qualified assistance that will make any stone surface sparkle again. As a leading company in the hard surface restoration industry, we offer the most effective techniques to help you with your problem. Don't hesitate to contact us by calling (773) 923-2084 or by filling out our "Request a Quote" form for a free in-home consultation. We will be happy to attend your needs. Also, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest info and promotions.
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