The final stage of all limestone cleaning, polishing or restoration service is the application of a sealant. Limestone sealing can be broken down into impregnating and surface sealants.
Impregnating sealants penetrate the capillaries of the stone and protect from within. They can leave your limestone with a natural, or colour-enhanced appearance, but always with the stone surface exposed. Because stone is porous, this sealant is essential to stop any spillages onto the stone penetrating within and damaging the internal structure and causing a deep-set stain.
Surface sealants form a physical barrier between the stone and the environment. Modern sealants are either wax or polymer-based, which can achieve matt, satin or gloss finishes to the stone. Such sealants however cannot be applied outdoors or in wet areas as they are affected by moisture. They are also ineffective if applied to a polished surface as they cannot penetrate the surface sufficiently to bond.
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Contrary to popular belief, impregnating sealants themselves don’t degrade over time. The pores and capillaries that were originally sealed will remain so, however abrasion caused by foot-traffic will create and expose new pores and capillaries which will require additional sealant. Usually, the more people or pets in the property the more frequently the protection will need to be reapplied.
Surface sealants on the other hand are designed to be a sacrificial layer, to protect the stone surface from the external environment. This means that liquid spillages and abrasion will impact the sealant and not the stone surface. These sealants will also be impacted by repeated cleaning regimes.
For more information on how to look after your floor, click on the link below to request a copy of our Athena Aftercare guide.
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We follow up with all of our clients around 1 year to 18 months after our initial visit, based on our professional opinion of when further work is likely to be necessary. We can also provide a price for maintenance immediately on request. However, we would still recommend re-visiting before commencing work to re-familiarise ourselves with your stone
Keeping your natural stone looking stunning is something that we are passionate about. If you have had your stone treated or restored by the Athena Stonecare team then you will have been left with a guide explaining how to care for it. To purchase any of the products mentioned in the guide click here.
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What really impressed me is that Athena Stone gained absolutely nothing from helping me. I wasn’t a customer and they knew there was no job in it for them, yet they still took the time to look at the problem and give me genuinely useful advice.
After the experience I’d had trying to get help elsewhere, that level of customer service really stood out. They went above and beyond for someone who wasn’t even a paying customer, and their advice made a huge difference to us.
Amazingly high quality work and super responsive friendly customer service.
The work done by Dave and his team on our 30+ year old limestone flooring was outstanding. The stone was dirty and very cracked in places and I never dreamt they could make something so old look so good. The resin colour they used was an exact match and the cracks they filled are barely discernible now. The cleaned limestone looks wonderful and fresh. I can’t believe what they achieved and couldn’t be more thrilled.
Would you please thank Dave and his team – so much – for their outstanding work on our flooring? I can’t believe what they achieved and couldn’t be more thrilled. I never dreamt they could make something so old look so good!
Fantastic experience from start to finish. Outstanding customer service. Can’t recommend highly enough.
Top quality service and good value for money. For once I am very happy to pay a bill!
