Terrazzo Cleaning Phuket

Terrazzo is a popular form of polished agglomerate material that is often used as a substitute for marble. Comprising quartz, granite, marble, glass and other materials, terrazzo mixes are often bound with a cement-like chemical such as epoxy or acrylic.

Terrazzo is prone to wear and tear and like all stone surfaces can be ‘etched’ by acids, including those contained in everyday liquids such as soft drinks and juices. It can also absorb oils and become stained, marring its appealing texture and look.

All spills onto terrazzo surfaces should be wiped up with a wet or gentle soap and watered cloth immediately after they occur. However, in many cases, professional deep cleaning is also required. Even supposedly neutral cleaning agents can damage terrazzo, because they still contain oils and even sand, which can cause abrasion.

Professional stone care experts like The Stone Doctor Co., Ltd. on Phuket are skilled in restoring a wide range of surface types, including terrazzo, marble, granite, sandwash and sandstone. The services they provide to their clients also protect against damage to any surrounding surfaces and materials, whether in private homes or commercial properties.

While the sealing of terrazzo surfaces is often done before or during its installation, such an important task is often ignored by builders. In other cases, the work is carried out incorrectly, leading to dull or off colour surfaces. Some of the common problems caused by careless installation include residues from paints and cement, grout that creates a picture frame effect, and wax deposits.

Professional stone care experts know how to return terrazzo to its original look and feel, reviving the beauty and shine it was originally chosen for. The Stone Doctor Co., Ltd. on Phuket uses high-quality products by German-based specialist Lithofin. The products created for terrazzo are specifically designed to seal and protect it, as well as to recover and renovate the stone, heightening its natural beauty and simplifying daily care.

By using such professionals and products, owners can install, maintain or restore terrazzo surfaces in a manner that will not only make them shine, but also retain their shine much longer.

Granite Cleaning Phuket

When it comes to making practical choices for stone surfaces, granite is a hard and therefore less porous and chemically sensitive stone than most of its peers, including marble.

Granite is therefore less prone to show wear and tear. However, like all stone surfaces, it can still be ‘etched’ by acids, including those contained in everyday liquids such as soft drinks and juices. It can also absorb oils and become stained, marring its appealing texture and look.

Seemingly small precautions make a big difference when it comes to protecting granite surfaces. Preventative measures include using coasters under drinks, placing mats under items that may scratch, wiping surfaces regularly to remove debris, washing them with a stone soap or pHneutral cleaner, and drying immediately after spills.

All the above approaches will extend the life of a granite surface. However, attending to areas that have already become stained or succumbed to standing water, mildew, mould or chemical substances is another matter.

The best time to treat stone surfaces is actually before or at least just after construction of a building is completed. That way, protective sealants can be applied in a professional manner using precise amounts for the right amount of time, while carefully protecting bordering materials, in addition to the stone surfaces themselves.

Consulting with a professional company such as The Stone Doctor Co., Ltd. on Phuket is therefore advisable, either during installation, or as an effective way to treat granite surfaces and restore them to their original state if protective treatments were not applied during installation.

DIY methods can permanently ruin stone surfaces, especially if chemicals are not applied, timed and removed carefully. Different substances and techniques are employed for granite, marble, sandstone, terrazzo and sandwash, all of which require professional knowledge and skills.

Using cleaning substances without expert knowledge can dull the surface of granite, which may then require the application of a stone-polishing agent. Unfortunately, such agents and topical sealants can cause permanent damage to the surfaces if they are not applied with professional care.

Such precision work is best left to experienced professionals who do such work on a daily basis. The use of natural stone in residential or commercial properties is an investment in quality that should be protected. Take good care of your investment, and it will last a lifetime, perhaps even several lifetimes.

Marble Cleaning Phuket

Increasing numbers of home and business owners are using marble to enhance their properties, at the same time adding elegance and a sense of permanence to their surroundings.

Marble has a classic and enduring look that enhances all manner of living spaces, including office areas, kitchens, bathrooms and terraces. It is often polished to become a reflective surface to add lustre and light to a room.

Despite its rugged nature, marble is quite porous and can quickly become dirty. It also absorbs acids, oils and other staining substances easily and can quickly lose its appeal. This can spoil the look of a room or property, lowering rather than adding to its value.

Common staining substances on marble include oil-based agents, organic solutions, metal based fluids and biological liquids, as well as ink, paint and other colorings. Etch marks are actually chemical burns formed when alcohol, ammonia or acid contacts the stone’s surface and reacts with the calcium carbonate element present in certain natural stones. The result of such contact is that the shine or finish of the stone is diminished.

The best way to keep marble surfaces in top condition and looking like they were just installed is to engage an expert familiar with cleaning, restoring, sealing and protecting such stone surfaces. Professional firms like Phuket-based The Stone Doctor Co., Ltd. safely and effectively eliminate stains and darkening agents form marble.

These experts use carefully selected cleaning solutions that avoid abrading and further staining the stone surfaces. They know how to apply the correct impregnating agents to remove discoloring and use solutions that actually enter the pores of the stone to neutralize and remove stains – even adding a long-lasting protective element.

Similar professional treatments can be used to clean and restore terracotta and other quarry tiles, as well as man-made terrazzo stone, porcelain (vitrified or non-vitrified), unglazed and glazed ceramic tiles, and even naturally “hard”stones. The basic techniques can be used on isolated stone surface segments, as well as larger sections such as those bordering swimming pools and gardens, as well as entire floors, walls and rooms.

Sandstone Cleaning Phuket

Sandstone surfaces complement any interior or exterior design, adding a natural feel and look. This multi-use sedimentary rock ranges in colour from tan, red, brown and white to pink, yellow, grey and black. This means owners of hotels, private villas, homes and commercial buildings have many options when it comes to using sandstone.

Sandstone’s non-slip qualities also make the stone ideal around swimming pools and in bathrooms. The lush yet earthy look makes it a perfect transition material between glass, metal and painted surfaces. However, consistent quality care of sandstone is necessary to keep surfaces appearing their best.

Since sandstone is a soft and porous material, cleaning and sealing sandstone surfaces should be done to maintain a surface that resists becoming dull, dirty and lifeless.

Everyday acids such as fruit juices, as well as oils including cooking oils, can cause reactions to sandstone countertops and other surfaces. Glass rings and small etch marks cannot always be avoided, but using proper sealing before or immediately following installation can prevent most permanent damage.

In addition, sandstone surfaces, as with sandwash and marble, can become unsightly and even odorous if they yield to moulds and mildew. Do-it-yourself treatments can actually add to surface stains and even ruin the stone if the wrong substances and techniques are used. However, experts in these stone surfaces know how to remove stains and smells, lending them a new appearance and saving costly replacement.

For professional cleaning, it is best to consult stone maintenance firms such as The Stone Doctor Co., Ltd. in Phuket. Such companies are skilled at removing stains and darkening agents, resurfacing where necessary, protectively sealing stone and getting stone surfaces looking like they were just installed.

Such recovery work is done using proven Lithofin products designed to clean, seal and preserve the stone. Professionals know how to impregnate stone with such agents that return life and beauty to the surfaces. They also use proper application, protect the bordering of inlaid materials and carefully ensure that the finished product looks great.

With the aid of a professional stone cleaning service owners can make countertops, decks, walls, floors and all other sandstone surfaces look like new and extend their use by several years.

Sandwash Cleaning Phuket

Using sandwash on an outdoor surface adds an attractive, nicely textured, non-slip finish that’s particularly practical around swimming pools and in beachside locations.

Many owners of hotels, beach clubs and private villas use sandwash to create appealing, safe areas that allow their guests and residents to make the most of the outdoor environment. However, when it comes to cleaning, sandwash surfaces require considerable care, and a number of factors must be taken into account.

Suitable cleaning substances should be used to remove stains, dirt and other intrusions that have changed the surface colour of sandwash areas. If the wrong preparations are used, they can actually make the surface even darker or more dis-coloured than regular wear and tear.

Professional cleaning firms such as Phuket-based The Stone Doctor Co., Ltd. know the best way to remove stains and darkening agents without further damaging sandwash areas. In addition, experienced cleaners know how to protect nearby surfaces and other materials during the cleaning process, as well as how to avoid harming bordering grass and plants.

Also worth considering when it comes to sandwash is the type of inlaid tiles and other materials juxtaposed into the surfaces. If cleaning is not conducted by a knowledgeable professional team that knows how to protect and clean these sections and borders the area can easily end up looking worse than when it was first created.

Even the most durable stone surfaces are subject to damage from spilled liquids or oils. Showers constructed of sandstone, marble or sandwash can also succumb to moulds and stains, including unsightly mildew, which can create black spots and an unpleasant odour. Using a professional cleaning firm to treat these surfaces can save time, headaches and ultimately the cost of replacement.

Sandwash surfaces already installed in a building are often treated with impregnating chemicals that will extend the life and improve the look of the area in question. Using an expert for such tasks provides assurance that the job will be considered from all angles.

Such recovery and sealing work can also be applied to marble, sandstone, granite and terrazzo, improving the overall appearance of walls, floors, decks, countertops and all manner of other stone surfaces.

Stone Cleaning Phuket

Natural Stone provides long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing décor for homes, offices and commercial buildings, giving a look that is not only attractive, but also reflective of its strength and durability.

Different types of stone and stone surfaces are available as small pieces, or as components like tiles that can be added to a building to enhance its overall feel and appearance. Stone is also often used for entire surfaces such as floors and walls.

The addition of a natural stone finish is popular in outdoor areas to frame swimming pools, surround fountains or beautify patios and terraces, but stone elements also add impressive grace notes to indoor spaces. In fact, natural stone can enhance virtually every design feature around it, as long as the pieces are installed appropriately and kept in pristine condition.

Typical stone types used in construction include granite, marble, slate, sandstone and terrazzo. Sandstone and sandwash surfaces create natural earth tones that complement a range of colour palettes, while marble and granite are ideal as counter tops or on floors and walls.

Marble comes in a variety of colours and is often used for its stunning finish, but it is also a fairly soft, porous stone, so it absorbs chemicals easily. This means everyday hazards like spilled drinks can affect its lustre. Granite is more durable than marble, but can also be damaged by common fluids, including soft drinks and cooking oils.

Removing stains from stone surfaces requires the precision application of specially formulated solutions, as does renovating surfaces that have succumbed to repeated wear and tear or water damage. Such techniques can be applied to man-made stone such as terrazzo, quarry tiles such as terra cotta, glazed and unglazed ceramic tiles, vitrified and non-vitrified porcelain or even naturally “hard” stones.

Skilled technicians at companies like The Stone Doctor Co., Ltd. on Phuket know how to apply products like Lithofin to bring out the best in stones and stone surfaces. Hiring the services of professionals can save home and business owners the cost of care and replacement, while also re-establishing the integrity of stone elements and returning their timeless texture and sheen.