Suggestions for the Maintenance of Marble

The physical characteristics of marble determine the methods of maintenance and products chosen to treat and maintain it properly. Marble is naturally porous and must be sealed with a penetrating sealer or wax. These penetrating products fill the pits and voids in the stone and actually become an integral part of the floor itself. The primary purpose of sealing or waxing is to provide protection of the marble itself. Ordinary dirt and grease are sealed out of the floor. The pits and voids are filled with the sealer and everyday dirt and soil is held on the surface, where it is easy to remove.

Marble floors properly sealed and finished are easy to clean and maintain. Marble floors should not be sealed until the surface is thoroughly clean and dry. The secret of beautiful marble is merely keeping it clean after original treatment with sealer. Complicated cleaning agents and maintenance procedures will never be needed if the marble surfaces are cleaned regularly.

If marble spalls or deteriorates, it is simply because cleaning has been neglected or harsh damaging cleansing agents were used. When marble is neglected, dirt and grease accumulate on the surface. In time the marble is damaged almost beyond repair. Cracks can be caused by general deterioration. Improper cleaning materials such as those containing alkali, acid, metallic salts or other strong ingredients, actually attack the marble itself and enlarge the pores in the stone that collect dirt and grit from daily use.

Soap or abrasive type cleaners dull the surface of the marble and give it a lifeless appearance. Abrasive cleaners are almost impossible to remove by rinsing.

The ideal cleaner should effectively remove soil. It should not develop any damaging discoloration or result in any surface film. Finally it must be rinsed.

Daily Sweeping

The daily removal of ordinary dirt and soil is an important step in the maintenance of marble. Heavily trafficked floors must be cleaned daily and rinsed with clean water until all traces of dirt solution are removed. Marble should then be allowed to dry.

Rover Marble Maintenance Procedures

To assure the best service from Rover Marble products, follow the steps listed below and develop a maintenance program and record the cleaning procedures followed.

• Post Construction Cleaning
• Sealing/Impregnating
• Daily Maintenance
• Restoration
• Hard Restoration

Post Construction Cleaning

Determine if the installation contractor performed any "post construction cleaning" and the procedures followed. If that is not possible or not able to be determined, then proceed as follows:

1. Remove all construction debris and general dirt that may have accumulated on the finished floor/surface during construction. Dust mop the entire floor with a clean dry mop before wet cleaning the floor.
2. All Rover material, polished, honed or bush hammered, shall be cleaned using a ph neutral cleaner. Use product in accordance with the manufacturer's directions as listed in their technical brief or the packaging label. Wash the floor using soft cloth mop and clean water. Repeat if necessary, to remove grout film residue.

Sealing/Impregnating

The entire installation shall be sealed using an impregnating sealer. Apply these products in accordance with the manufacturers technical brief application directions. Cure time and protective measures shall be followed as specified in the technical product data sheets.

Daily Maintenance

1. Daily sweeping/mopping is recommended.
2. Start with clean mops and water. Change water as needed. Do not wash the floor with dirty water. Use a ph neutral cleaner in the mop water. Follow the manufacturer's technical brief for specific mop/scrub procedures as noted in the technical brief.

Restoration

1. Remedial polishing may be necessary and should be performed using The product technical briefs. Follow the manufacturer's technical brief in using these products.
2. Complete the restoration process and seal the marble surfaces following the procedures noted above for sealing/impregnating.

Hard Restoration

If the floor was subject to severe abrasion and the original factory finish is eroded it may be necessary to diamond polish/hone the floor prior to using any chemicals on the floor. Re-polishing should be done by marble care professionals using the equipment designed for marble care and restoration. Hard restoration procedures are required only where the floor was abused or when matching new material to old.

Record

Develop written daily maintenance procedures that note dates, time, weather conditions, (snow and salt) unusual building traffic and personnel responsible for performance. Use safety cones and barriers when applying water to the floor. All wet floors are slippery.

Avoid

• Heavy topcoats (waxes, polishes), that do not allow the stone to "breathe" and create "wear patterns".
• Products that chemically alter the surface of the stone such as harsh alkaline cleansing products and all acids