Stone Sealing: Flawless Technique to Restore the Beauty of Natural Stone Surfaces in Braintree, MA
June 26, 2018
Natural stone is a beautiful feature to any home. It is elegant, impressive, and raw. The natural qualities and characteristics seen in natural stone add character and beauty to any space. It is highly resistant to scratches because it's completely natural. However, stone is porous and can stain easily, which means it will need to be regularly sealed and maintained in order to protect against damages. It should be cleaned and sealed upon installation. This is because the material can absorb liquids, spills, and dirt particles that are present daily in any home. Unfortunately, the sealant will dissipate over time and become less effective. Unsealed stone leaves the surface vulnerable to absorbing foreign substances, which can weaken the stone and potentially lead to dirt build-up and bacteria growth. The upkeep of the sealant is essential to making sure your surface remains beautiful for decades to come. Our next clients were having these issues when they decided to hire our professional stone sealing company in Braintree, MA.
A newly married couple from Braintree, MA was moving into a bigger house. They needed more space because they wanted a big family. They found a nice, cozy place with beautiful natural stone floor in the living room and stone tiles in the shower. The couple loved the black and white design of the floor, but they noticed some scratches on the surface and dirty grout lines, which gave a dull appearance to the stone. The shower also had some problems with discolored grout and dingy walls and floor. Nevertheless, they thought the issues could be solved with some cleaning and maintenance performed by themselves and they decided to buy the house. The problems, however, were more difficult to solve than the couple was anticipating.
A few weeks later, after settling into their new house, the couple began a special cleaning session to improve the condition of the living room floor and the bathroom. The wife spent days reading home maintenance magazines and she found some methods to solve the problems they were having. She asked her husband to bring home ammonia, baking soda, and vinegar. They started cleaning the floor using the methods the wife had found. After some hours, they noticed the condition of the surface got worse. The husband tried the same routine on the shower and the results were the same. The couple was not expecting an unsuccessful outcome and they were disappointed.
After discussing the problem and looking for solutions, they concluded that the best option was to seek qualified assistance. They went online and read about the problems of unsealed natural stone surfaces and noticed the similarities with the condition of their floor. The couple decided to search for the best stone sealing company in Braintree, MA and in the top results they found Sir Grout of Greater Boston. They began browsing our site and our "Before and After" gallery caught their attention. They were impressed with the amazing transformation our work provided and to see how we restored floors with the same kind of problem they were having. After reading the positive feedback that certified us as a leading company in the hard surface restoration industry, the couple was convinced we could restore their floor and bathroom. They called us to schedule a free in-home consultation.
We arrived at the couple's house on the appointed date, ready to begin the bathroom and living floor evaluation and to offer a solution for the problem. After briefly greeting the owners, we began the assessment of the floor. We immediately noticed that the stone lacked sealant and was completely exposed to all sorts of damages from external agents. The surface looked dirty, scratched, and it had lost its luster. Also, the floor had a layer of coating, but since the dirt and grime had seeped deep into the stone, it only looked dull. The grout lines had the same dingy appearance and were discolored and muddy. This was caused by heavy foot traffic and improper cleaning methods and harsh products. We proceeded with the inspection of the shower. At first glance, we noticed the caulking in the joints was moldy and grimy and the grout lines had acquired a brownish color.
The natural stone in the living room floor and the shower needed to be cleaned and sealed with professional methods and techniques. We offered a stone sealing service to shield the surface using our high-quality products and to get rid of all the dirt and grime. We would use our exclusive ColorSeal. This top quality sealant is resistant to water, stains, mold, and mildew and gives the grout lines a uniform color. We would also buff the stone using our proprietary Stone Armor to enhance the surface and give it an extra layer of protection against all sorts of external agents. We assured the couple that after our work their natural stone surface would regain its beauty and elegance back and, with the right maintenance, it would be protected against all future damage. They were pleased with our assessment and the solution we proposed. The couple accepted our offer and agreed to set up a date for the job.
We returned to our clients' house to begin the restoration of the floor and shower with our stone sealing process. It was a multi-step procedure and we started working on the living room floor. We began by cleaning the surface using our tone-safe, pH-neutral cleaner. This product wouldn't cause any harm to the grout lines or stain the floor. We used a high-speed scrubber and cleaned the surface until it was completely free of dirt. Next, we stripped the floor to prepare it for the sealing process. Once this was done, we performed any repairs that were necessary in the grout lines. We continued with the sealing step. Using our state-of-the-art ColorSeal, we sealed the surface. This left the floor water-proof, stain-proof, and would make cleaning routines easier and faster. Our sealant also comes in a myriad of colors. We used architectural gray for this client, to match the style of the floor.
To finish, we buffed the stone and gave it an extra layer of protection using our Stone Armor. This would shield the surface against daily wear and tear from foot traffic and other external agents and enhance the beauty of the stone. After finishing the floor, we proceeded to work on the shower. We made sure it was completely clean using our safe for stone cleaner and a high-speed, gentle scrubber. Next, we sanitized the environment using a steam vapor cleaner to eliminate all the fungi from the difficult to reach areas. After this was done, we color sealed all the grout lines and gave them a uniform color and protection against mold, mildew, water, and stains.
When we completed all the work, the living room floor and bathroom had been fully restored. The floor looked gorgeous. All the dirty and dull spots had been removed. All the grout lines had a pristine, refreshed appearance and a brand-new color. The stone was completely sealed and protected against all damages. The shower looked in top condition, free of mold and mildew. The grout had a clean appearance and renewed color, giving the surface a beautiful style. This level of restoration was only possible thanks to our professional techniques and our high quality products.
We invited our clients to see the outcome of our work. The couple saw the floor first and they were amazed to see that it no longer looked dull or dirty. It had recovered its natural charm and beauty. They continued to the shower and they were pleasantly surprised with the pristine, brand-new color of the grout lines. The couple was happy with the results and said that our performance had gone beyond their expectations. After thanking us, they stated that from that point on, they would recommend our services to all their friends, family, and neighbors. Sir Grout of Greater Boston had become their company of choice for hard surface restoration.
We provide our clients long lasting, easy to maintain results and we always take time to train them on how to perform proper cleaning routines on their restored surface. Before leaving, we gave the couple some recommendations and suggestions to keep their floor and shower in top condition for a long time:
For the Floor We Recommended:
- Use pH-neutral, stone safe cleaners that won't remove the sealer or etch the stone. Acidic substances react with the composition of the stone and leave etches on the surface, causing dull spots to appear. These types of cleaners should be avoided.
- Keep the surface as dry as possible. If any spill occurs, they should be removed immediately. Do not leave spills and liquids lingering for long periods of time. They are absorbed and stain the stone quickly. For this reason, they should be removed immediately. Also, use a damp mop to get rid of dirt. This should be done frequently to prevent scratches caused by foot traffic.
- Keep the environment well ventilated and dry. This is important to prevent fungi growth due to the humidity of the shower. Dry the surface using a squeegee, a towel or a terry cloth. Squeegeeing is a great choice to prevent soap scum buildup. Also, leave the doors open, especially after hot showers.
- Use gel soap instead of bar soap. This alternative won't leave any harmful residue on the tiles and grout. Soap scum is nothing more than bar soap residue that has re-hardened on the surface. Not using these soaps would mitigate the accumulation of soap scum in the shower.
It is possible to restore your old natural stone floor to its prime days with Sir Grout of Greater Boston's professional help. Our stone sealing services will give your surface a new life. We provide experienced and qualified assistance that will make any stone look brand-new. As a leading company in the hard surface restoration industry, we offer the most effective techniques to help you with your problem. Don't hesitate to contact us by calling (781) 899-0388 or by filling out our "Request a Quote" form for a free in-home consultation. We will be happy to attend you. Also, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest info and promotions.
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