Stone restoration is a step by step process. In order to begin each phase, the stage before must be perfected.
Whether this is polishing a marble floor to remove surface damage or providing a comprehensive restoration of limestone floor as part of a renovation, the method is the same.
As part of the quote process, we will sometimes complete a small sample area. This is carried out in an area of your choosing. This is usually an inconspicuous space, but also needs to be representative of the entire floor. The sample process can take 2-3 hours depending on the service that is being trialled. This enables the operative to follow the stone restoration process exactly as it would be carried out during the work itself.
The first stage of any stone restoration process is to grind the surface to remove damage. This might be scratches, etch marks or the build up of wear and tear. For older stone, this will remove existing sealants too. Only micro millimetres are removed during this phase and it leave the tile looking similar to how it would have done when it was cut from the slab
After this the refinishing process can begin. This is when the magic really happens. The operative will use a series of finer abrasives to slowly bring the stone surface back to life. Just like sanding wood, the stone becomes more uniform, smoother and will start to look like the tile that you originally selected. The exact type of abrasive and the order is dependant on the geology of the stone and this is why we often recommend a sample is completed.
The final stage of the stone restoration process is to apply an impregnator. This is sometimes referred to as a sealant but in most cases it does not ‘seal’ the surface of the tile. It is designed to penetrate the stone and protect it from within. You can read a little more about how stone is protected here. For some clients, we will also apply a deep penetrating product mid-way through the stone restoration process to provide even more comprehensive protection and help to make the floor easier to maintain.
During the stone restoration process the team will work in small areas at a time. The equipment that we use will depend on the size of the area. You can read a little more about the different machines that we use to restore natural stone here. We will usually work in properties that are currently being lived in so you will be able to continue to use your home as normal.
At the end of each day, you may be left with a floor that doesn’t look anything like the stone that you chose. This is because during the initial stages, the stone is cut back almost to how it would have looked when it was first extracted. The process that we use to restore stone is exactly the same as how the tile will have been created in the factory. In situ, this is a lengthier process as we are using smaller equipment. We will always complete an entire area at one stage before moving to the next. This might mean that you’re left with an unfinished floor overnight. You can see this in more detail here.
On occasion, we might even begin some of the work in advance. If there is a significant amount of grinding that needs to be completed, blending the edges needs a specific focus. This is most pertinent for lager areas and where a high polish is required. A floor that isn’t completed flat isn’t won’t reflect the light perfectly. In order to create the perfect finish right to the edge of the stone, we will sometimes request to attend before the decorating is completed to restore this part of the floor.
To find arrange a free visit to review your stone floor email info@athenastonecare.co.uk.
You can see more of our work on the live portfolio on Instagram.
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