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Enhancing the Look of Marble Flooring: Can Marble Be Sanded and Refinished?

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Robert Hamm

Marble flooring has been utilized for many years worldwide because it improves the appearance of the room where it's installed. However, among the main disadvantages of using marble as flooring is that it's a natural and porous stone.

This makes it prone to staining if spills are not cleaned promptly. Even with proper maintenance, marble floors will look dull after a few years. Nevertheless, marble polishing makes it possible to restore the marble flooring to its original condition. So the question is: Can marble be sanded and refinished?

For floor polishing services, suitable equipment such as a sanding machine and diamond polishing pads are necessary. The user should wear safety equipment like goggles, gloves, and face masks.

Understanding Marble Polishing

Marble is a sensitive material, but can marble be sanded and refinished?

When polishing marble surfaces, you need to know what signs to look out for that tell you when to have your marble polished. Marble is a sensitive material, especially when it comes to anything acidic. If it has sustained damage to the protective seal, you'll want it to be polished as soon as possible. If the marble appears duller or dirty in some areas, or the shine seems gone and won't return to normal by simply wiping it with a damp cloth, the protective seal may be damaged.

If the seal isn't replaced soon, the exposed marble could be damaged even more easily. Experts say you should have your marble sealed every two to three years, though the best-maintained marble surfaces could hold out for four or five years.

Can Marble Be Sanded and Refinished: How the Pros Do It

The following are the steps professionals take during each marble polishing:

Cleaning the Dust

The initial step in polishing a marble floor is sweeping it with a broom to eliminate all the dust so that the marble surface is exposed.

Protect the Surrounding Area

Professionals take several steps before starting any marble polishing project, including protecting the surrounding area, especially surfaces that are more prone to damage, and ensuring that all surfaces are covered with it.

Peel Off Adhesive and Wax

Floor polishing service providers use solvents to remove any wax or adhesive used on the surface of the marble. This exposes the marble and allows the professionals to polish it.

Cleaning With Water

Professional floor polishing services cover the marble surface with cold, clean water for effective sanding.

There are multiple steps professionals go through to make sure the marble floors look as good as they can.

Sanding the Marble Surface

Just like wood polishing, marble polishing needs sanding. Professionals utilize the coarsest sander to sand the marble floor and eliminate any remaining residue or adhesive. While utilizing a coarse grit, the sander is kept away from the wall to stop damage. The sander is moved across the flooring several times to remove visible spots.

The floor should be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner and mopped after the sanding. The sander should be shifted to a lesser coarse grade, and the sanding part must be repeated. This process must be repeated till the marble floor is shining. For the finishing touches, apply the marble plaster to the sandpaper before sanding the floor again to create a more polished surface.

Clean Dust off the Surface

After the marble floors are sanded, the surface is thoroughly cleaned using a vacuum cleaner or dust mop to remove any residue.

Polish with Polishing Pads

Attach a clean microfiber pad to the sanding machine to make the polished floors look brand-new, and apply polishing powder to the marble surface. Think of it like wood varnishing for wooden flooring. It is advisable to start polishing on smaller areas until they shine. Once the marble polishing is complete, all the debris is removed, and a dust mop is used to sweep away the dust. Homeowners can repeat this process to maintain the marble floors after completing the marble polishing.

Tips On How to Polish and Clean Your Marble Floor

Cleaning And Polishing Marble

Marble polishing can be tricky due to the delicate nature of marble itself. So, if you wish to sweep your floor, you should only use a vacuum cleaner or a soft-bristled broom. You should also use a special marble cleaner as they're designed to remove all the dirt and stains from your tiles without harming the surface of your floor.

However, if they are unavailable, warm water can work instead. Other things might damage your marble floors, which you definitely don't want.

Besides tidying up or fixing marble floors, steer clear of some stuff for cleaning. Like regular soaps, vinegar, and even gentle detergents. These substances often contain ingredients that could damage the surface of your marble tiles.

Vinegar, for instance, contains acid, while certain types of soap contain substances that might reduce the beauty of your marble tiles. So, if you can't get a marble cleaner, do not use any other substance to clean your tiles. Try using warm water until you get a suitable commercial marble tile cleaner.

Marble polishing can be tricky due to the delicate nature of marble itself.

Lastly, you should seal and polish your tiles once every month. The polish will let your floor retain its natural shine, whereas the sealant will shield it against dirt. Do this even if the floor is completely clean; it is a good form of routine protection.

How Often Does Marble Need To Be Polished And Maintained

Our general answer is that your marble floor (if maintained properly) should last between one and three years between the polishing. However, please note that it is very important to know what kind of area this is.

High-traffic areas:

Polishing those types of marble areas more often is necessary due to the traffic they receive. For example, commercial properties receive high traffic and must be polished every six months to 1 year.

Low-traffic areas:

These are usually domestic types of floors. Depending on the existing floor's condition, the service period can range between three and five years.

Please note that the keyword for all services is marble maintenance. To maintain the fresh appearance of your floors or other marble surfaces, use suitable cleaning products regularly and at appropriate intervals.

Can I Clean My Marble Floor Myself?

It's okay for homeowners to clean basic marble floors, but it's better to get help from pros for deep cleaning, removing stains, and restoring them. Trying to do it yourself might make the stone worse.

How Long Does The Marble Floor Restoration Process Take?

The duration of the restoration process differs based on factors such as the floor's size, condition, and the specific services required. After assessing your marble floor, our team will provide a timeline estimate.

What Are The Advantages Of Professional Marble Floor Sanding and Refinishing?

Professional marble floor sanding and refinishing not only revitalize the appearance of your marble floor but also extend its lifespan

Professional marble floor sanding and refinishing not only revitalize the appearance of your marble floor but also extend its lifespan, increase property value, and provide a healthier indoor environment by eliminating allergens and contaminants.

Why Choose Us for Marble Floor Sanding and Refinishing

We are dedicated to marble polishing and restoration, which is matched only by our commitment to excellent customer service. Never rushing or skimping through a job is a must. Our marble polishers are trained to provide the best possible service with minimal hassle for our customers.

We take special care in our customer service, because you only deserve the best. Please reach out to us today for professional marble flooring maintenance services.

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