Our clients were renovating a property to transform into their dream home. The marble floors throughout the property had seen better days and they asked Athena Stonecare if there was anything that could be done to return them to their former glory.
At the initial site survey, it was noted that there was significant lippage across the floor. This is the name given to uneven height of tiles at the grout joints due to the floor tiles not being laid flat.
To repolish a scratched or etched floor, diamond segments must be used to grind the surface. If tile edges are uneven then the solid diamond segments will bounce over the lips and will be ineffective. To use this method of polishing on a lipped floor would run the risk of ‘picture framing’ whereby the lower section of the tiles shows up as shinier than the rest. There are hybrid options available to bring back the shine, but the finish is never as crisp. This is usually visible by the wavy lines seen in the reflection of light from the floor.
In order to achieve the best possible finish when a client requests a high polish, it is usually recommended to grind the floor completely flat first. This is a lengthier process, but is the only way to ensure the perfect polish and avoid an uneven finish.
With the entrance being a focal point of the renovation with natural light flooding in and reflecting off the floor, it was decided that the investment in a full restoration was well worth it.
Due to the ongoing works, we attended the site initially to complete the grinding and resurfacing to the edges before the decorating took place and the skirting boards were installed. This is always our preference when grinding floors as it gives the best finish possible to the edges and corners.
Following the completion of the remaining decorating work, the team returned to complete the rest of the work.
Using the Hypergrinder Titan and Levighetor machines, the marble floor tiles were ground flush with the grout line. This removed all lippage as well as surface damage.
After this, 7 stages of diamond abrasives (metal bonds, copper bonds and resin bonds) were used to remove the scratch pattern created by the grinding process and smooth the marble to tighten the surface of the floor. The floor was then polished to high shine with natural polishing powder before rinsing and sealing.
When the main contractor Ben returned to the site he immediately contacted the team “ Cannot get over how good the floor looks at south hill! Amazing job”.
Really happy, both with the quality of the worktop finish (ring marks, be gone!) and with the Athena Stonecare experience overall. Am sure we'll be using them again.
Our whole experience with Athena Stonecare was outstanding from quote to aftercare. We had our marble worktops and travertine floor restored. The settlement cracks on the floor have completely vanished. It has been a pleasure dealing with a firm who cares about it's customers, everyone involved was super polite and helpful. I would highly recommend.
Dave and his team did such a brilliant job restoring our limestone bathroom floors which someone used bleach on by accident. We thought they were ruined but Athena made them look like new again! I would highly recommend them and we will definitely use them for future cleaning and maintenance. Thank you Athena!
I would highly recommend Athena Stonecare, they have done an amazing job on our twenty year old limestone floors, they look better than they did new! Dave and his team were very professional, tidy, trustworthy and efficient.
Excellent, efficient and courteous service . My marble floor looks new and my bathroom walls look amazing. I’m really pleased with the work and the outcome. It only took one day to complete with minimum disruption. Would definitely recommend and will use again and again.
Dave and his partner fully deserve the five star rating. They did a perfect job, on time and on budget. The pool surround which, after 30 years of lime build-up, looked like mud, now, after Dave has worked his magic, looks beautiful again ,showing all the lovely colouring and striations. It’s a joy to see each morning.
