How Vulnerable Are Your Natural Stone Floors?

Maintenance & Care Tips To Make Your Natural Stone Floors Last Longer

Natural stone flooring is a popular choice used in many homes and businesses throughout the United States and the world. Not only is natural stone a beautiful material, but it is also extremely versatile and can be used in a wide range of rooms and applications. There are so many options to choose from, each with unique color patterns and variations, so you can choose something truly distinctive for your home. The most widely used options include limestone, granite, marble, travertine, and slate. Natural stone can be used for both indoor and outdoor flooring, countertops, shower interiors, and even backsplashes. With regular maintenance and professional attention from Phoenix natural stone cleaners, your natural stone flooring will make a beautiful and aesthetic impact on your home or business for many decades.

Many people are attracted to the beauty and natural coolness of natural stone flooring, and wonder if they are very vulnerable to damage and how well these types of flooring will last. The good news is that a well maintained natural stone floor will last for many years. A leading cause of damage, dullness, and etching on natural stone flooring results from improper cleaning – either the wrong type of cleaning solution or the wrong cleaning routine. Either of these issues will lead to different problems that negatively affect the appearance and quality of your natural stone floor. Always be sure to read the label on any product that you want to use on your floor to make it safe for your natural stone surface. While natural stone can be vulnerable, it’s also incredibly resilient and long-lasting with proper care from homeowners and professional Tempe natural stone cleaning. Natural stone is an excellent choice for almost any room in your home.

Use The Right Natural Stone Cleaning Products

Choosing the right kind of cleaning products for your natural stone floor is critical. Ideally, you’ll want to find a cleaner that has been specifically designed for the specific type of flooring that you have. Ask your Chandler natural stone cleaners for a recommendation if you’re not sure what to use. Since natural stone is highly absorbent, it will take on stains from spills and become scratched from sand and dirt. You’ll want to carefully clean it each week, along with regular professional Phoenix natural stone cleaning to keep it looking its best and functioning optimally. Natural stone flooring that is cared for and professionally maintained will serve you well for decades.

To keep your natural stone floor in the best condition, never use the following products:

Dusting spray
Vacuum with beater brush
Stiff bristled broom
Harsh cleaners such as ammonia or chlorine bleach
Any scouring cleaners containing grit
Homemade cleaners containing anything acidic, such as vinegar or lemon juice
Waxing products or anything promoting shine, which can make your floors overly slippery

Properties Of Natural Stone Floor Tiles

It’s useful to understand the performance properties and grades of natural stone when you are considering adding it to your home, so that you can make the best choice for your lifestyle. Natural stone cleaners will be able to help you put together a maintenance routine for whatever stone flooring you choose to install.

1. Absorption Rating: Porous Stone Level

The absorbency rating refers to how porous a material is. A higher rating means that a stone will be more absorbent and therefore more prone to staining. When installed outdoors, a highly porous stone will also be prone to cracking under freezing conditions. Generally, sandstone is the most porous and granite is the least porous of natural stone flooring.

2. Grade: The Quality Of The Natural Stone

This is an umbrella term used to rate the quality of natural stone by referring to its shape, size, thickness, and surface condition. Since there is no governing body or guidelines, grading levels describe the appearance of a natural stone, especially its color, consistency, presence or absence of anomalies, blemishes, etc. Grading does not necessarily describe how suitable a natural stone might be for home installation.

3. Coefficient Of Friction Of Natural Stone Flooring

One important factor to consider when choosing natural stone flooring, especially for kitchens, bathrooms, and around pools, is how slippery it may be. While some stones may be more slippery than others, a polished finish will be much more slippery than a honed or tumbled finish.

4. Oxidation In Natural Stone Tiles

Since natural stones have been formed inside the earth, they contain minerals that react differently to oxygen. Specifically, stones with higher iron content are more vulnerable to degrading over time due to oxidation, also known as rust. A quality sealer and routine maintenance from Phoenix natural stone cleaners will significantly reduce or eliminate the process of oxidation.

Contact The Best Natural Stone Cleaners In Mesa, AZ

Arizona Stone Care has a team of skilled natural stone technicians who have years of experience working with these sensitive materials. We understand their needs as well as their vulnerabilities. Get the most of your natural stone flooring with regular professional maintenance. We also offer restoration for older natural stone floors. Contact Arizona Stone Care today, or contact us conveniently through our website, to set up your free quote.