Care & Maintenance of Limestone Floors

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Care & Maintenance of Limestone Floors

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Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed from calcareous remains of plants and animals and often contains the fossils of sea creatures. It is natural Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3). It has a smooth granular surface and varies in hardness. Some dense limestone can be polished but will never be as shiny as marble or granite. Limestone floors with a honed finish (not shiny) are quite popular. The colour tones are typically neutral – beige, cream, light brown. Many older buildings have durable limestone flooring. This is a chalky porous type of limestone.

BEFORE AFTER
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Limestone is easily etched by acids, including soft drinks, and it will absorb oil and other liquids more easily than marble. Limestone statues and building surfaces can suffer severe damage due to acid rain in areas of air pollution. Acid-based cleaning chemicals can also etch limestone. It is important to use only Neutral Ph. cleaner such as EQUALIZER to clean your limestone flooring or countertop.

Limestone should be sealed with a penetrating sealer to prevent staining and reduce soiling. We recommend COTERSEAL. However, whilst this type of sealer will prevent deep staining and inhibit dirt build-up, it will not prevent etches from acidic substances and scratches caused by grit on the soles of shoes.

For added protection, a topical sealer or finishing sealer can be applied. We recommend FOCUS This type of sealer sits on the surface of the limestone and creates a barrier against liquids and grit. Topical sealers are generally available in matt, satin, and gloss finishes. Topical sealers are more suitable for honed limestone where they are able to ‘key’ onto the surface. They are not suitable for polished limestone. Applying a topical sealer will reduce the work required in maintaining the floor as dirt and dust sits on the surface and can easily be wiped away with a wet cloth. However, it must be stressed that the sealer itself will dull and wear over time, and eventually the floor will need to be stripped and re-sealed. To extend the life of the sealer it is important to keep the floor free of grit and dust and also to use only mild cleaning detergents. Harsh and abrasive cleaners will wear the sealer away in a short time.

Polished limestone floors lose their shine if proper maintenance procedures are not adhered to. The use of acidic cleaning detergents will result in a dull, almost matt, appearance to the floor. Each time the acidic cleaner comes in contact with the calcium it causes a reaction that is effectively eating the top layer of the limestone. The only way to restore the shine will be to grind the surface using purpose-made polishing equipment and specialized chemicals and stone waxes. This work should only be carried out by trained stone care and maintenance professionals.

As the old saying goes ‘prevention is better than cure. This is so true when it comes to looking after limestone floors and countertops, and indeed for looking after most types of natural stone. Limestone is a relatively soft type of natural stone as measured on ‘The Moh’s Scale of Mineral Hardness. It can be easily scratched by harder materials such as grit and metal. It is also quite porous and absorbs moisture and liquids which may leave a stain. Composed primarily of calcium it is quite susceptible to damage from acidic substances such as fruit juices and wine. Even leaving a wine glass overnight on your countertop or floor may result in the appearance of an unsightly circular etch that can be hard to remove.

Nevertheless

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, in spite of the drawbacks limestone is still extensively used for internal and external flooring and cladding. The subtle neutral tones and colours provide a timeless focal point around which home furnishings can be updated as fashions change. Limestone also has heat conducting properties which many more durable flooring materials do not have. For this reason, it is chosen for use with under-floor heating systems.

Limestone requires a degree of time and effort to keep it looking well and this should be considered when deciding what areas of the building to install it. It is ideal in a bedroom, living room, or bathroom. However, its use in a kitchen is not so practical for the reasons outlined above. But even in these areas, it can be used so long as proper maintenance procedures are followed. Like all things of style and beauty a certain amount of tender loving care is required and in the case of your costly limestone floor, wall or countertop it is well worth the effort!

WHAT ARE THE DO’s & DON’TsIN CARING FOR ON LIMESTONE FLOORS, WALLS, COUNTERTOPS?
DO’s

  • DO wipe up spills of liquids as quickly as possible to minimize staining and etching of the surface.
  • DO placemats under hot dishes and cookware.
  • DO place cloth mats under metal ornaments and sharp or heavy objects that might scratch the surface.
  • DO place coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
  • DO place castors under the legs of chairs, particularly metal chairs, to prevent scratching.
  • DO use cleaners that are formulated for natural stone and are Ph Neutral. We recommend EQUALIZER.
  • DO invest in a wet vacuum cleaner. The wet vacuum will suck up more dirty water after washing the floor than can be removed with an ordinary mop and bucket. Wet vacuums are no more expensive than regular vacuum cleaners but they have the added advantage of being able to suck up both solids and liquids.
  • DO seal the surface with a penetrating natural stone sealer. We recommend COTERSEAL.
  • DO apply a topical sealer to honed and rough finish limestone to reduce maintenance. We recommend FOCUS.
  • DO use a tray for toiletries and cosmetics in the bathroom as these products will cause damage to limestone.
  • DO vacuum floor regularly to remove dust and grit.
  • DO place cloth back mats at the entrance to catch grit on soles of shoes
  • DO refer to HOUSE OF STONE before attempting to resolve any issues on your limestone floor, wall tiles, and countertops.
  • DON’T’s
  • DON’T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners.
  • DON’T use vinegar, bleach, ammonia, or other general-purpose cleaners.
  • DON’T use abrasive items to clean the surface, for example scouring powders, steel wool, wire brush, sandpaper DON’T drag metal objects across the floor. Better to lift and place back down. Be careful about dragging vacuum cleaners as the hard wheels on the machine can scratch the surface.
  • DON’T use a lot of water when washing the surface. The water will carry the dirt into the grout and discolour it over time. Better mix water and mild cleaning detergent in a bottle and spray the solution onto the surface. Leave for a minute to break down the grease and dirt and then wipe with a wet cloth, rinsing the cloth in clean water as needed. In the case of polished limestone buffing the floor with a soft dry cloth after it dries completely will help bring up the shine.
  • For further information on cleaning, care and maintenance of limestone floors and counter tops Call 01 8820002

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