When it comes to polishing your natural stone flooring, there is an entire process to accomplish before reaching this stage. Polishing is what brings out the natural shine in your stone tiles. This is usually the second to last step in the restoration process.
Before you can even begin to do the polishing process, it is best to start the entire restoration process. And that starts with cleaning your natural stone floors and getting them ready for the first phase of restoration.
You will first need to take a soft-bristled broom and sweep up all of the dirt and debris throughout the area. Next you will want to use an un-treated dust mop to sweep up any dust and small particles you may have missed with the broom.
From there you will need a bucket, a soft wet mop, and cleanser of some kind. With the cleanser you need to make sure that it is one that can be used on your natural stone. Some natural stones cannot handle specific cleansers like ones that are acidic or alkaline. Make sure that your cleanser is one that will not cause any damage to your stone tiles.
You need to fill the bucket with warm water and after consulting the back of the cleanser bottle, pour in the appropriate amount needed. As you start mopping, make sure to cover the entire area. The cleaning solution needs to set on top of the surface for about 10 to 15 minutes so that the cleanser can loosen up all the dirt and grime.
During this time frame you need to make sure that you keep the area wet and that it is not drying. You do not want it to dry and that dirt be back on the tiles.
After it has set, dump the dirty water out of the bucket and rinse it and the wet mop thoroughly, and then refill it with warm water. Then start mopping up all the dirty water being sure to empty and refill the bucket with fresh water regularly.
After all traces of cleanser and dirty water has been removed, allow the area to either air dry, which can take up to a couple of days depending on the type of stone, or use a soft microfiber cloth to dry the area by hand.
Once the area is completely dry, now you can begin the process of restoring the stone tiles, which includes polishing your natural stone tiles. The first phase, though at times this can be skipped, is grinding. It is a very aggressive process that is using a metal-bonded and diamond grit that buffs away all deep scratches and lippage flattening the floor in the process.
The next phase, or the phase that you can start out with is honing. This is a very similar process as grinding but at a much more mild process. It takes grits that are less coarse to complete this process that removes any minor scratches and etch marks. This will also flatten the floor as well.
Now comes the phase of polishing the stone tiles. What this does is using higher grits or a combination of higher grits to run along the tiles and bring out the shine.
To maintain this shine and luster is the final phase of applying sealant to the stones. Applying a high quality sealer will help protect the tiles as well as slow down the absorption rate of any liquid spilled on the tiles.
This completes the entire process of restoration and how to polish the natural stone floors. This traditionally needs to be done every 5 to 10 years depending on how well you maintain the cleaning as well as how much traffic runs through the area.
When in doubt contact a professional, contact us today to schedule your appointment to polish your natural stone flooring or if you have any questions.
Floor ReNew Houston
4530 W. 34th Street Suite C
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 418-9983
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