Frequently Asked Questions About Marble

What areas are most appropriate for marble installation?

 Marble is an extremely versatile natural stone, used in high traffic areas like commercial foyers and hallways, as well as in residential kitchens.  Cultures across the globe have trusted marble for centuries as flooring, wall tile, and other surfaces to last. Although marble is susceptible to acidic substances and metal abrasion, it will look great for years, given that a cleaning and maintenance regimen is incorporated to make sure it retains its original look. Sealing the surface of marble with an impregnator can help to do this, and to make maintenance a much easier job.

Can I use marble on my kitchen counters?

We do not recommend the use of marble as kitchen counters because marbles polished surfaces are more vulnerable to household acids including vinegar, mustard, ketchup, citrus and a host of other food-related products. These acidic substances cause a chemical reaction, which will remove the polish. Additionally, marble and limestone can be scratched more easily than harder stones such as granite.

Marble is, however, sometimes used in the kitchen as a pastry slab; its perfectly smooth, cool surface is ideal for rolling out dough and piecrusts.

 

 

 

What is etching?

Etching happens when acid in some form comes in contact with a polished marble or limestone surface. This causes a chemical reaction, which removes the polish, or roughens the surface of honed marble or limestone. Green marbles, such as the "jades" from China are resistant to etching, and granite is impervious to any common household acids.

 

 

 

What’s the best way to clean marble?

The old rule of thumb is never to use anything you wouldn’t use on your hands. Never use powdered cleansers or abrasive pads to clean your stone. Even "soft scrub" type cleaners contain pumice, which is powdered volcanic stone, and might damage your stone countertops or floors. Never use any product which is acidic; this includes substances like ammonia or many common liquid cleaners such as Windex. You should always use sealers and cleaning products designed specifically for natural stone.

One of the best ways to keep marble clean is to incorporate removal of dirt, grit, and other materials that are tracked in from outdoors. Many of these substances can cause minute scratches on the surface of your marble which can become noticeable over time. So, it’s best to make sure that the surface of the marble is clear with a damp cloth, soft broom, or vacuum as regularly as you can.

 Clean up liquid spills immediately, particularly if they are acidic in nature. Fruit juice is particularly problematic, as is coffee and red wine, because of their tendency to stain. Even if you’ve sealed your marble, it’s a good idea not to take any chances. Clear spills right away. Don’t use bleach, vinegar, or any harsh acidic-based cleaners as these will degrade the surface of your marble over time.

 

 

Will your samples match my order?

Samples are a great way of finding out if the marble you’re interested in is what you’re really looking for. But, because there will always be variation in terms of both color and surface pattern, a sample should be viewed in the broadest terms only. This means that the colors you see in your sample is a very general guide as to how the marble in your order will look.  A sample can give you ideas about textures, weight, and durability before you buy. We do pull all our samples directly from our stock to ensure the best color variation possible. We have almost all our natural stone products in stock. 

 

 

I see cracks in the surface of this marble sample- Is this a sub-par material? Is it still safe to use? 

Crack-like patterns in marble are a natural feature of marble and other natural stone. One way to make sure that your marble will stand up to foot traffic and moisture is to make sure it’s sealed. Otherwise, what is referred to as the veining in marble tile is due to the various minerals that have become trapped in the body of the marble over millions of years, formed by underground water sources. This accounts for what appears to be liquid-like patterns which makes marble tile such an attractive addition to a property.

Are sealers really necessary?

Absolutely. Marble is a porous material, which means that any liquids which spill onto the surface tend to leech into the body of the marble. This can negatively affect how your marble will look over time. A sealer, or an impregnator as it is also known, can make sure that any materials remain on the surface of the marble, until you clean it off, of course. This is the best way to make sure that your marble retains its original look for as long as possible. Talk to your local outlet about which products to use and how long to leave them before sealing your marble again. Always read the labels of the products you buy, take safety precautions where necessary, and follow instructions carefully.
 

 

What’s the best way to remove stains?

When a stain is unavoidable, taking steps to remove stains from marble tile is a fairly simple procedure. The same reason marble is susceptible to staining is the same reason it’s a straightforward process to remove them – marble is porous. A procedure called ‘poulticing’ is a great way to remove stains by literally drawing the stain up from your marble and into another material – a mixture of a reducing agent soaked into a cloth or papertowels is the most basic variety of poultice. The best methods should always be measured against the kind of stain you’ve got. Once again, the best source of knowledge on this is your local DIY retailer who can advise on what procedure to use on what types of materials which have stained your marble.