Stone flooring, with its timeless elegance and natural warmth, is a beautiful and sophisticated addition to any space. It’s not just about aesthetics, though. Stone is a reliable and durable material for flooring, making it a wise investment for homeowners and property managers alike.
However, it’s essential to be aware that several elements can be introduced to your stone floors that may cause them to deteriorate over time.
What are the main culprits that damage stone floors and when should they be restored?
Natural stone floors are susceptible to wear and tear, but several primary factors can contribute to increased damage, including surface wear, chemical damage, and environmental exposure.
Stone floors are indeed a stunning and wise investment for your space. To fully appreciate and protect this investment, it’s essential to understand the best ways to maintain it and when they need to be restored.
Here, we will explore a wide variety of natural stone types and the factors that may cause damage, as well as provide tips for when it’s time to hire a professional to restore your stone flooring.
Surface Wear & Tear
Although surface wear and tear may seem obvious and inevitable, some specific culprits vary depending on the type of natural stone. Tracking dirt or sand into your space and onto your stone floors can cause surface-level scratches and potentially dull the natural brilliance of the stone.
Another way to cause surface damage to your floors is by moving any heavy furniture. Dragging any heavy furniture or equipment across stone floors can cause an increase in chipping, gauging, and scratching of the natural stone.
Lastly, any heavily trafficked areas may be subject to further dullness and damage to the polish or sealant that protects your stone floors. All natural stones respond differently to surface-level stressors, so here are a few specific examples.
• Marble: a softer stone that is prone to damage quickly. Small, fine scratches can damage the glossy finish, resulting in dullness, especially in areas with high foot traffic.
• Travertine: The stone is also known to be soft and porous, allowing for a higher risk of erosion, resulting in pitted and uneven areas.
• Limestone: highly susceptible to scratches and develops a weathered look quite quickly.
• Granite: a more durable stone with higher resistance to scratches, but over time, abrasions may occur, which can dull any polish or sheen.
• Slate: a stone with natural clefts and pits, which allows for a higher susceptibility of dirt getting trapped and possibly discoloring the stone.
Chemical Damage
Chemical damage is a factor that may not be immediately apparent to some, but can be a severe culprit, resulting in significant damage. It is crucial to avoid using any cleaners that may strip the protective sealant on your stone or potentially dull the finish. A sealant is a protective layer applied to stone floors that helps prevent damage from acidic substances and moisture. Acidic cleaners, such as bleach or ammonia, or even some generic cleaners, may be causing harm to your natural stone.
Aside from cleaning substances, there are other ways acidic substances can be introduced to your floors. Many people don’t think twice when accidentally spilling substances like vinegar, wine, coffee, or even juice. Still, these liquids can also have the potential to cause damage and discolor specific natural stones.
Lastly, any cooking oils or grease have the potential to absorb into porous stone, which can also cause discoloration of your stone. Here are a few examples of different types of stone and how they respond to chemical damage.
• Marble: Tends to be highly reactive to acids and can stain instantly.
• Travertine: Acidic substances may cause rough or dull spots along the surface.
• Limestone: responds to acidic substances similarly to marble; acidic substances burn the surface and cause permanent discoloration.
• Granite: a durable stone with high resistance to acidic substances; however, lighter colorways of this stone have the potential to stain.
• Slate: Acidic substances have the potential to strip away the sealant and disrupt the natural color of the stone.
Moisture & Environmental Exposure
A build-up of moisture due to weather or other environmental factors is a significant consideration when reviewing possible culprits of damage to natural stone flooring. Any standing water that is introduced to natural stone floors, such as leftover water from mopping or spills, can result in dark spots, mold growth, and staining.
Also, it is essential to consider any possibility of humidity or moisture build-up in your space. Buildup of moisture can result in small white deposits in your natural stone or even surface flaking.
Lastly, for any outdoor stone flooring, the weather can have a significant impact on your stone floors. Freeze-thaw cycles, along with rain and snow, can cause your stone floor to weaken and crack. Here are specific examples of how moisture can affect different types of stone.
• Marble: if not sealed properly or the sealant is damaged, moisture can create watermarks or dull spots.
• Travertine: tends to absorb moisture quickly, resulting in dark spots, staining, or even mold growth.
• Limestone: a highly porous stone that allows water to cause long-term discoloration and possibly weaken the stone.
• Granite: typically, more of a moisture-resistant stone, but if unsealed, it has the potential to absorb liquids and stain.
• Slate: consistent moisture or humidity can cause flaking, white mineral deposits, or mildew.
When to Call a Stone Floor Professional
If you notice that your stone floors are looking stained or scratched, it’s always best to consult a professional to determine the best options for repairing any potential damage. Stone restoration services, such as Restore-A-Floor know how to correctly and effectively repair, polish and seal virtually all stone and tile surfaces.
By hiring a professional, you can protect your wise investment in elegant stone flooring and potentially extend its lifespan, giving you peace of mind and confidence in your decision.
Brighton Michigan’s Top Choice for Stone and Tile Restoration
The stone restoration services provided by Restore-A- Floor make all the difference. Stone and tile are our specialty and with our expert skill, technique and products, you can trust our team to not only revive your floors and other surfaces but protect and keep them looking their best for years.