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Natural Stone Spalling, Chips and Holes

Natural stone spailling, chips and holes are serious issues. If we ignore these problems, they may soon hurt the structure. Natural stone spalling is also called flaking or peeling. Small pits or pieces of stone popping off the surface of your stone is called spalling. Spalling stone is delamination, chipping or peeling of the stone’s surface can originate from a number of sources. This condition is common on stone exposed to large amounts of water or when deicing salts are used for ice removal on concrete.

Spailling Cause

Like efflorescence, mineral salts are the cause for spalling and pitting. Instead of the salts depositing on the surface like efflorescence, they deposit below the surface of the stone, causing pressure within the stone, which creates stone spalls or pits.

Chips and Holes

Chips and holes tend to appear with normal wear-and-tear.  It is more common for chips and holes to occur near a kitchen stove top or sink.  Because these places are where most of the kitchen traffic happens. Hitting the edge of a counter or dropping something heavy on the granite, marble or other natural stone could cause a chip or hole that requires filling.

Repairing Chips, Spalls, and Holes

Repairing chips, spalls, and holes in the stone’s surface requires a polyester, epoxy, or cement-based filler material with color added to match that of the stone. After filling, the area must also be restored to smooth out and level the filler material with the stone surface.  It is best to call a stone care expert as this process requires a lot of time and experience to ensure the fill blends with the rest of the stone.

What Causes Spalling?

For sandstone, spalling (which looks like the stone is peeling or flaking) generally indicates a problem. The problem is with salt attack where salt crystals grow from the mineral-laden water penetrated into the stone. The crystals grow and fracture off the top layer of stone, resulting in loose sand on the surface of the tile.

Can Spalling be Fixed?

Spalling, peeling or flaking can’t be repaired, but the problem can be arrested. A Deep Dirt Extraction pulls out the salt from within the stone, and Stain-Guarding hardens the stone to limit further damage.

Is It Possible to Prevent Spalling?

Not completely. It’s a symptom of the stone type and the environment it’s been installed in.

However if the stone is properly sealed when it’s installed – or really any time before spalling becomes visible – it will limit moisture that is able to enter the stone, thus minimizing the salt crystals and the opportunity for spalling. As spalling is irreversible, it is particularly important to choose a top-quality sealer and a professional service provider and to ensure that it is regularly maintained.

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Sources

www.slique.com.au/common-problems/spalling/

m3techinc.com/what-are-some-common-problems-and-how-do-i-fix-them/#:~:text=Spalling%2C%20chips%20and%20holes%20in,material%20with%20the%20stone%20surface.