ORIGIN OF NATURAL STONE

Natural Stone is a creation of nature. Like so many natural formations, every piece is unique and matchless. Within each piece of stone also lies the history of one particular place on our planet. Today’s limestone floor, for instance, was once a mass of tiny sea creatures, then an ancient seabed and after millions of years of uplift, a mountainside where the limestone comes from.

Originally, your natural stone comes from a mountainside cut into huge 50,000-pound blocks of stone. The blocks were then sliced into slabs which were refined to give its natural colors a mirror like depth and the smooth surface is left slightly rough to enhance its rich texture. The luster, hardness, colors and variations are all indications of the stone’s mineral composition and origin. This unique blend of characteristics is what makes your natural stone one-of-a-kind, a beautiful practical surface for your home.

STONE IS ABSORBENT

Although we usually think of stone as “hard,” it is a porous material. Natural stone have varying degrees of porosity depending on the type of stone. If left unsealed, spills and everyday messes can easily penetrate the surface. The liquid eventually evaporates but the stain will be visible. Highly acidic substances, such as orange juice, coffee and wine, will also etch acid sensitive stones including most granite, slate and sandstone.

BENEFITS OF PROTECTING STONE

The best way to prevent stains is to treat the surface with a protective sealer. The sealer fills in the pores and repels spills on the surface, allowing time to wipe the spill away. Fluorochemical technology is the most advanced technology available, providing the ultimate shield against water and oil based stains. The micro-molecular formula actually bonds with the stones surface to deliver unsurpassed wear resistance and durability and because the sealer reacts with the stone, you no longer have to worry about its porosity. It works on all types of stone, from ultra-porous Juparana Columbo to super dense Absolute Black. There are also sealers available with antimicrobial product protection. They not only protect the surface from stains, but also help to resist the growth of mold and mildew on the dried sealer.

STONE NEEDS SPECIALTY CLEANERS

Like any other surface in your home, it is important to clean your natural stone to help maintain its natural beauty. However, natural stone requires cleaning products specifically designed for the stone’s unique mineral composition. Most general-purpose cleaners will etch or damage the stone and/or degrade the sealer, therefore removing protective properties and the stone will be more easily susceptible to stains. Any cleaning products containing lemon, vinegar or other acids may etch the stone. Scouring powders and abrasives will scratch the surface.

PROPER CLEANING

Maintenance cleaning with pH-balanced, neutral cleaner will help remove soils that normal dusting or damp mopping leave behind. It also helps keep your stone free of dust and dry, sandy soil to minimize wear patterns from everyday use on some softer stones. Specially designed cleaners for stone will never break down the protective sealer. In fact, some cleaners contain protective properties, which reinforce the sealer and prolong stain resistance. For heavier cleaning jobs, using cleaners formulated for stone will effectively remove tough grime and messes yet be gentle on the surface. For optimum protection, we recommend you seal your surface every 3-5 years with a Heavy Duty Stone Sealer.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS AND INFORMATION

Additional products and information for the care of your stone available at:

www.stonetechpro.com or 1.888.STONEHELP

We will gladly answer any additional questions you have about the care and maintenance of your stone.

For your convenience, please inquire about our Natural Stone Maintenance Program.

LET US DO THE DIRTY WORK FOR YOU!