Marble Problems and Causes for Marble Deterioration

Problems and causes of marble deterioration is the focus of discussion in this passage. Marble is very popular among homeowners thanks to its durability and beautiful patterns. This gorgeous stone can come in a myriad of colors with characteristic veining. Additionally, homeowners can choose the most convenient kind of finish for their home. Even though marble can revamp the appearance of a home, it can show signs of deterioration as time goes by. Fortunately, these signs are reversible. You can always revive the beauty of your natural stone surface just by getting a professional marble honing and polishing service. Here are some common problems usually associated with marble flooring.

Deep Cracks

The foundation part of the marble may be torn. Under these scenarios, the foundation part may affect the more ground level easily. Thus, cracks can usually be observed on the ground level. And even if these small cracks are fixed, they will appear again.

Foreign Damage

Foreign damage such as fallen objects may lead to ground stone damage. Even though marble is rather hard, it can still be damaged by other objects through strong physical contacts.

Wrong Choice of Marble Type

The wrong choice of marble type may also lead to marble damage. Most of the time, homeowners decide the marble type based solely on the tone color without taking into account the marble type. In fact, the weather condition and the corresponding marble type’s resistance to tearing or weather should be considered.

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Natural Defects of the Marble

Some marbles in the market have more natural defects, especially cracks. If these defects are not repaired in advance, there may be problems once the marble is laid. Even if these defects are hidden, their presence may show up gradually as they can cause damage to other parts of the marble . Furthermore, if the marble is laid in wet areas or near certain chemicals, the defective parts may be worsened.

Humid Environment

The main ingredient of most marble is calcium carbonate, which is vulnerable in a wet environment. If the surrounding environment is full of water, the loose part of the stone structure may burst up, leaving stone pits in the marble. The formation of the stone pit in a humid environment will continue to destroy the surrounding stone, leading to a vicious cycle.

Wrong Marble Care and Maintenance

Usually, marble is laid with a protective layer against water. But this method is not completely effective in the long run. Still, if cracks and loose parts of the stone do not get repaired on time, the foundation of the stone may be destroyed gradually. Hence, proper marble care and maintenance are very crucial in protecting the marble and extending its lifetime.

Wearing and Tearing Damage

Wearing and tearing may have a huge negative impact on the luster of the marble, leading to softer and less shiny marble touch. The marble will soon lose the shininess, especially the pedestrian walkway, such as corridors and foyers etc.

Causes for Marble Deterioration

In the following section, we’ve all seen those marble surfaces that look dull and have scratches, stains, and water marks. These signs of damage can have various causes.

Porosity

Marble is prone to staining due to its porous composition. Just as any other stone, marble has small pores in its surface that allow the permeation of liquids. This can especially occur in marble surfaces with a honed and tumbled finish. Since, honed and tumbled finishes are more porous than those with a high polish finish. This causes them to stain more easily.

Exposure to Acids

There are many acidic substances in a home, and they are all harmful to marble. This is especially true about countertops, which are highly exposed to these acids. Whether they come from commercial cleaners, homemade cleaning solutions such as those with vinegar, fruits, or drinks, your marble surfaces are very susceptible to them. These cleaners cause a chemical reaction with the calcium carbonate in the stone. They dissolve marble and leave an etch mark.

Incorrect Maintenance Methods and Products

It is a given that homeowners want to keep their homes in a perfect state with the best appearance possible. However, most people tend to use incorrect cleaning techniques and products, such as soap-based cleaners, which leave a film behind that attracts dirt to the surface.
Another unwise choice is to use products that promise to clean and make your floors shiny at the same time. This kind of product leaves a shiny coat at first. However, it peels off quickly, leaving an unpleasant look behind. Also, cleaning frequency plays an important role in the maintenance of marble surfaces. Walking on a dusty marble surface may scratch the stone.

Exposure to Moisture

As mentioned before, marble is a porous stone. When marble is exposed to moisture, a powdery or chalky residue can appear. This unappealing residue is called efflorescence and is caused by the migration of soluble salts in the stone to the surface. It is worth mentioning that shower surfaces and vanity tops are very likely to present this kind of residue as they are in damp spaces. These salts can also come from unsealed grout lines or from exposure to certain weather conditions.

Identifying Marble Signs of Wear and Tear

It is necessary to identify the signs of wear and tear on your marble surfaces ahead of time to take action as soon as possible. Getting a stone cleaning and sealing service is another great option to take care of your marble surfaces. Highly trained technicians will let you know the benefits of stone cleaning. This process involves the use of a high-speed scrubber and stone-safe, soap-free cleaning products, and in some cases vapor steam cleaning to remove embedded dirt.

Sealing Marble

Moreover, it is imperative to seal the stone surface. This step is the last in stone surface restoration. After having honed and polished the stone, and the desired finish has been achieved, the experts know that using a high-quality sealer on the stone is crucial to protect the surface, whether it is indoors or outdoors. This process will create a shield against water- and oil-based spills, as well as dirt, preventing further damage.‍

Marble problems are diverse. If you would like to know more, here is a very useful resource for you.

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Sources

www.floor-master.com/post/common-marble-problems

www.sirgrout.com/blog/common-problems-with-marble-surfaces-and-how-a-honing-and-polishing-can-solve