From marble and granite to travertine, natural stone has a timeless beauty. The key is to maintain it so it can pass the test of time.
The enduring allure of natural stone has been and always will be its unique organic patterns, crafted by Mother Nature herself. Like functional works of art, these stones can be used anywhere from counters and backsplashes to feature walls, showers and entryways – indoors and out.
However, the key to protecting these beautiful patterns is to keep in mind that they are naturally porous and more prone to stains than manufactured stones like quartz.
“When you buy a new countertop it’s factory sealed. Unfortunately, that protection does wear off,” says Rob Cade of Northern Marble Restoration. It needs to be treated – possibly annually.
Rob and his daughter Bryn Cade run Northern Marble Restoration. They have been restoring all stone products found in homes and cottages for 15 years and are committed to servicing central Ontario. While resealing is important for keeping your stone looking as good as it did the day it was installed, Rob says many calls come from those who let the seal wear off and now are faced with a stain they can’t remove and can’t stand to look at.
If you’re looking at a stain, scratch or chip in your stone, wishing it would disappear, there’s no need to fear. “There’s always hope,” says Rob, noting that he can restore 99 percent of all the surfaces he works with.
Restoring these surfaces isn’t easy. Rob uses specialized equipment, including a tailored selection of diamond grit pads that buff the surface before polishing and resealing it to bring it back to its original finish.
This approach can be done with any type of stone, anywhere around your house or cottage. Whether it’s soap and toothpaste stains in the bathroom, food stains in the kitchen, or rust and dirt stains on your granite patio from shrubbery and outdoor furniture, you can bring your stone back to like-new condition for as little as 10- to 20 percent of the cost of replacement.
Of course, the best defence is always a strong offence – or in this case, a strong surface seal. To check your countertop’s seal strength, Rob suggests leaving a few beads of water on the surface for 10 minutes.
“If the water is absorbed or leaves a dark spot, it’s time to reseal your surface,” says Rob. “Give us a call and let us keep your stone strong and beautiful for years to come.”
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE
PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
