This Damaged Slate Floor Received a Complete Overhaul Thanks to Our Stone Cleaning Service in Wall, NJ
December 07, 2018
Natural stone surfaces such as slate, marble, and granite require proper maintenance in order to keep them looking beautiful and in good condition. Slate, while it is not the most common flooring choice, offers many benefits and features. Its most notable characteristics are durability and versatility.There are hundreds of colors and several different types of slate tiles available. Since it's a rock that has been quarreled from mountains or taken from the earth, slate tiles can last for years. Although it can withstand daily wear and tear, there are other factors that can lead to the deterioration of the stone. For instance, slate tiles are vulnerable to staining. Using harsh cleaning products or leaving spills of acidic substances like juices or wines can produce negative reactions on the stone. This leads to staining and discoloration, spoiling the appearance of the entire surface. To prevent these damages, the stone requires sealing upon installation.
This sealant needs to be checked periodically to make sure it is still effective. Unsealed slate surfaces are exposed to damage and degradation. When the stone suffers signs of deterioration, professional stone cleaning is necessary to restore its appeal. Experts will have the knowledge and tools to remove all the blemishes and properly seal the slate tiles. Our next client, a housewife from Wall, NJ, was having problems with the condition of her floor. Over time, several stains and scratches appeared on the slate tiles. The grout lines were also dirty and had acquired a darkish color. The owner couldn't get rid of the issues with regular cleaning, so she tried some DIY methods she found online. She spent most of the day trying to solve the problem, but unfortunately, she only saw negative effects on the stone. Her unsuccessful cleaning attempts led her to consider her options. She decided to look for professional assistance. Thankfully, she found our stone cleaning services in Wall, NJ, and we were able to help her.
One of her friends recommended Sir Grout Central New Jersey because we had done an incredible job in one of his bathrooms. He advised her to check out our website to get more information. Following his suggestion, she went online and carefully browsed our site. As she was going through the homepage, our picture gallery caught her attention. The pictures showcased the dedication we put in the work we do and the outstanding results we provide our customers. She was reassured when she saw all the stone surfaces we had restored. This fully convinced her we could restore her floor and therefore she scheduled a free in-home consultation by filling out the "Request a Quote" form.
We arrived at her house a couple of days later for the evaluation of the surface and to offer the most effective solution for the problems. After greeting the owner, we began the assessment. At first glance, we noticed stains and scratches on the tiles. The stone was dull and had lost all its beauty. When this happens, it requires proper maintenance and professional treatment. We also learned the surface was unsealed and explained to the owner that this left the slate tiles exposed to all sorts of damage from external agents. Any liquid could easily be absorbed and would cause more harm to the unsealed stone. We pointed out that slate is highly prone to staining and discoloration. We offered a stone cleaning service to remove all the blemishes from the surface with our top of the line process and exclusive stone-safe products. We assured the owner that the entire floor would have a renewed appearance when we were finished. She was pleased with our assessment and the solution we proposed, so she accepted our offer and agreed to set up a date for the job.
On the appointed date, we returned to our client's house ready for the stone cleaning process. It was a multi-step procedure. We started by cleaning the floor using our top of the line stone-safe product and a high-speed scrubber. This product won't cause any damage to the stone because it doesn't leave any residue. Additionally, our cleaner now has an enhanced formula that can help inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi for an extended period of time after application. When the floor was no longer dirty, we performed all the necessary repairs in the grout lines and left them pristine and spotless. We needed to hone the floor to remove the scratches and stains. Once the surface was completely clean, it was ready for the honing process.
We ran three sets of honing pads, each with increasing levels of grit until all the blemishes disappeared. Once that was done, we sealed the stone with our exclusive and unique Stone Armor. This sealant is especially useful on floors because it protects the surfaces from the wear and tear of heavy foot traffic, and shields them from all sorts of liquids, providing protection against stains and other damaging agents. It also enhances the stone by giving it a brand-new look. To finish the process, we applied our ColorSeal on the grout lines. This high-quality sealant blocks the absorption of water and wards off damages from dirt, grime, and all other harmful external agents. It also enhances the look of the grout lines by giving them a uniform color, a renewed appearance, and it comes in a wide range of colors. For this customer, we used one that matched the slate tiles.
After we finished all the steps, the surface was clean, protected, and beautiful. We invited our client to see the outcome of the process. When the owner saw the floor, she was amazed because it no longer looked dirty and unappealing. The slate tiles had recovered their stylish appearance. As the owner continued her inspection, she was pleasantly surprised with the pristine appearance the restored grout lines gave to the floor. The owner was happy with the results and said that our performance had gone beyond her expectations. After thanking us, she stated that from that point on, she would recommend our services to all her friends, family, and neighbors. Sir Grout Central New Jersey had become her company of choice for hard surface restoration.
We always take time to train our clients and teach them how to perform proper maintenance on their surface. Before leaving, we left the owner some recommendations and suggestions that will help her keep the floor in great condition:
- Clean the floor periodically using only pH-neutral, soap free cleaners like Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner. Our product is safe for the stone tiles and has ingredient that can help provide protection against bacteria and fungi. Soap-based cleaners should be avoided because they leave a film that can be easily absorbed by the slate, causing stains and discoloration.
- Keep the surface dry and free of liquids and splashes. Remove any spills immediately and don't let water or cleaner residue linger for long periods of time. When drying the floor, use a towel or a terry cloth to prevent scratches and avoid using steel wools or other abrasive tools. Never rinse the mop in the cleaning solution because this only causes grime to build-up. Also, our sealant makes it easier to scrub preventing scratches from excessive scrubbing.
- Slate needs periodical sealing. If the tiles are unsealed, they would absorb all sorts of liquids very easily. This can cause several issues, like dull spots and stains, no matter how well they are cleaned. Check the sealant by pouring a few drops of water on the surface. If the stone absorbs the liquid, then it needs sealing.
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