Marble Floor Cleaning Dublin
I need my marble floor cleaned. This is the kind of email we receive on a daily basis. Marble floor cleaning is very broad and it can mean so many things. We need to establish what type of marble floor the customer might have, and indeed if the floor is actually marble. Then we need to know the condition of the floor to be able to recommend the most appropriate cleaning system. The size of the floor is also important. Access to it.The colour of it. Are the grout lines open or the tiles are fitted without grout lines? Are you looking for a natural looking floor or are you the type of person that loves a nice sheen? Plus many other possible questions.
I need my marble floor done and I need it done for very little money. This is the second more popular email that we receive.
The truth is that most people are not even aware what type of marble floor they own, they do not understand the process and they think it is just a bit of floor cleaner needed and the marble will look like “glass”. This is not the case at all. In fact, to achieve a super glossy finish on a badly stained marble floor is a very complex process, it requires highly professional equipment, years of experience and premium marble polishing products.
Marble Floor Cleaning Dublin | Types Of Marble
There are hundreds of types of marble floors in Ireland. While most people are likely to buy standard travertine of different grades, there are some people who have imported very expensive marble floors from some of the most prestigious quarries in the world.
Carrara marble tiles, statuary marble tiles, calacatta marble tiles, emperador marble tiles, crema marfil marble tiles, silver beige marble, levadia black marble, nero marquina marble, honed marble, travertine tile (some people do not classify travertine as marble but some do).
So as we have said above, most of the marble floors in Ireland are in fact travertine tiles. Travertine tiles can be available in a number of different shapes, different sizes, different colours and different qualities. While some travertine tiles are perfectly smooth, others are highly uneven and full of holes. You can buy travertine tiles in yellow, ivory, beige, walnut, blue, grey, brown & multicolour.
While both types of stones, marble and travertine, are hard stones, very compact and very durable, the proper marble tiles are likely to cost a bit more and to be harder to source. The process of cleaning and polishing it is a bit different so hence the question, what type of marble floor do you own?
Marble Floor Cleaning Dublin | What Is The Best Finish For My Marble Floors?
The best and the most durable finish for your particular type of floor will be decided after a site survey. While all marble and travertine floors will require a deep cleaning and degreasing, the process of restoring the sheen, if a glossy finish is recommended for your particular type of floor, can be totally different. Bear in mind that there are very few marble polishing companies in Ireland. There are a lot of floor cleaning companies around, but marble polishing is more specialised.
One of the most important things to consider is the location and style of the buidling. If the floor is located in a prestigious building and if the rest of the building is finished in a matt or dull finish, some highly polished marble floors will look silly. But if the floor is located in a new building with a lot of light and a lot of other glossy finishes, then a glossy finish will likely look good.
We do not think that there is a standard finish that works for everyone, like window cleaning. If the window is clean, who cares how it was done? Very glossy finishes will require more cleaning and maintenance. You can have your floor finished with a matt finish (or natural), you can have your floors finished with a semi gloss finish or you can have your marble floors polished to a “mirror” like finish. We will detail a bit more below.
Marble Floor Cleaning Dublin | The Process Of Restoring Marble Floors
After the initial assessment, we will be able to recommend the most cost effective and the most suitable way of restoring your marble floor.
Light Marble Restoration Process | If the marble floor is in pretty good shape but a bit dull and dirty, then we will be able to restore the marble floor without having to grind up the surface of the floor. This is the cheapest way of restoring marble floors. We will deep clean the floor with Faber Cottosolv or a similar product depending on the type of dirt on your marble floor, we will deep clean the grout line and we will proceed to polishing. Polishing a marble floor that is in great shape can be done by using one of our amazing marble polishing creams or with one of our marble polishing powders. The process is called crystallization and the results are just amazing. During the process of cleaning and the process of crystallization, we will be using heavy floor buffers, wet vacs and of course, floor polishers. In some cases the crystallization process might not be required so a high speed polishing with a fine grit diamond polishing pad will take place. The way it will be done will depend on a number of factors like the condition, type of marble, colour, etc. This is the cheapest way of polishing marble but it will only work on “tired” marble floors with no serious imperfections.
Medium Marble Restoration Process | If the marble floor has superficial scratches, some stains and is fairly dirty, then this system will work on it. We will start with the initial deep clean to be able to see the floor and the grout lines in full. From there on, depending on the depth of the scratches or the type of stains on it, we will start grinding the top of the floor with medium duty diamond polishing pads, Grit 800 would be the ideal grit to start on it and from there we will move up the grits up to 3500 grit. By grinding the marble floor we remove the top surface (the area that contains all the imperfections) and we level up the tile. The sheen won`t be visible after the first grinding. Pad 800 grit will only prepare the surface for the next steps. Grinding marble is like sanding wood but more delicate. After the surface is scratch free, stain free and dull patch free, we will start the polishing process. Again, depending on the type of marble floor, we will decide the most suitable system on the spot. But either way, some crystallization will take place. It is essential that we follow all the grits (800, 1800 & 3500) if great results are to be achieved. Smoother the surface before polishing it, better the sheen after it. Same process applies when polishing domestic marble floors & commercial marble floors.
Heavy Duty Marble Restoration Process | If the marble floor has deep scratches, lippage & very bad stains on it, then this process will apply. Very aggressive diamond polishing pads will be used within this process. Floor Cleaning Dublin uses Diafil Diamond Pads for this kind of work. Depending on the level of damage and the size of the lippage, we could start with any grit diamond polishing pad from 30 grit on. This is not a job for an amateur because the damage that can be caused with very aggressive pads can be permanent in some cases. Very heavy commercial floor buffers are recommended for this step. The grinding of the marble floor will begin and step by step the surface will start looking better. The gloss will not be visible up to pad 1800 at least. The only difference between the light, medium & heavy duty marble floor polishing process is the level of grinding. Restoring a very poor quality marble floor can take much longer and a lot more materials will be required, hence the higher prices for it. But the final “gloss restoration” process will be done in the same way as above. When dealing with marble floors that went through a lot of distress, we are likely to use a marble polishing powder from Faber or Diafil. Either way, your floor will look spectacular at the end.
Marble Floor Cleaning Dublin | Duration
Most marble floor cleaning and marble floor polishing projects are likely to take 1 to 2 days. The job complexity, job size, the finish required and the site access can increase or decrease the amount of time required to complete the project. All those details will be discussed prior to the starting date and a clear plan will be provided to all our customers.
Marble Floor Cleaning Dublin | Finish Durability
This is the tricky one. Most of our marble floor cleaning and marble floor polishing customers are asking us about the finish life expectancy. The answer is always the same “ it is entirely up to you “. Your floor was sealed or polished with highly durable and professional quality marble finishes from Faber & Diafil. From this point on the power is in your hands. We will recommend the best marble floor cleaner and the best flat mopping system from Faber & Microfiber Concept. The flat mopping system will enable you to clean your floors safely without overcooking the newly restored finish while the amazing Faber Neugel Marble Maintainer will clean streak free and residue free. These professional marble cleaners & marble maintainers are safe, effective against all kinds of dirt and residue and won’t affect the glossy finish. All marble floors require regular buffing with fine grit diamond pads. After every polishing the gloss will be restored in full and the tile will look as new again.
How do I get my marble floor to shine again? The secret is not to let it become dull. When a marble floor becomes dull it means that it has just become porose. The porosity will attract more dirt and it makes the floor look patchy. A quick clean with a professional marble floor cleaner and buffing with a high speed floor polishing burnisher will sort out the issue. The problem is that most people do not own a floor buffer so regular buffing is not likely to happen. We would highly recommend that you hire the services of a floor polishing company.
How often should marble floors be sealed? If the marble floor was cleaned, polished and sealed with professional impregnators or protectors, it will last for at least 12 months. The regular maintenance and the type of cleaning products used to wash the floor is also essential. But you should not need to re-seal your floors for at least 12 months.
Are marble floors high maintenance? Yes. Everything about marble floors is expensive. Deep cleaning, grinding, sealing, polishing, patch removal, etc, everything is very expensive. Do not get marble floors unless you are happy to pay good money for regular cleaning and maintenance. There are cheaper floors that look similar to marble floors (porcelain) but require less maintenance.
Is the marble floor worth it? Of course it is. The issue is that most people do not do their homework before purchasing such floors. For a marble floor to look amazing, be fully sealed and look apart, it has to be maintained with the best cleaning products and it has to be polished often. If you are not likely to do the work or pay out the money for the right care, then it is not worth it. But nothing looks more spectacular than a marble floor polished correctly.
How do professionals clean marble floors and can I do it on my own? Usually professional marble floor cleaning and marble floor polishing companies are using heavy duty expensive equipment and heavy duty marble floor care products. There is a fine step by step process that has to be followed rigorously and a lot of experience is also required. DIY marble cleaning and polishing will work well for light cleaning & light maintenance. When we are talking about heavy duty marble floor cleaning and marble floor polishing, then you can`t do it on your own. You do not own the right equipment and the right technology needed for such projects.
Is baking soda or vinegar safe for marble floors? No. A number of chemical reactions can happen and you could end up with dull patches and a bleached top coat. There is no need for such DIY treatments. Just go to Cleanfast.ie and order Faber Neugel.
Marble Floor Cleaning Dublin | Impregnators & Protectors
Some people are looking for chemical impregnators or sealers to stain proof and waterproof their marble floors. The process of preparing the surface is pretty much identical to normal polishing with marble polishing powders but instead of using a powder, the stone will be impregnated with a solvent based impregnator that will penetrate the surface of the stone and it will create a barrier against dirt and general staining. The surface can be sealed with an impregnator that penetrates in full and looks 100% natural (non filming), with a wet look impregnator or a glossy impregnator. The word “impregnator” means that the sealer will not glaze the marble. Or the marble floor can be sealed with a protector. A protector is a top coat that will overcoat the top of the marble tile and it will provide great protection against day to day traffic and spills. You can ask for a matt protector, a semi gloss protector or a highly glossy protector. It is a personal preference.
Recommendation : It is highly recommended to install leg protectors on all your furniture and to keep an eye on your pets. Very excited pets are the biggest risk for your newly polished marble floors. You should vacuum your marble floors at least once per day to remove all kinds of residue that could easily scratch the surface of the floor. Mop the floor once or twice per day with a flat mop. Please respect the recommended dilution rate and do not use universal floor cleaners (it contains traces of bleach and it leaves a residue on the floor).
