Services

S T O N E

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR NATURAL STONE (Marble/Travertine/Limestone/Slate/Flagstone/Quartzite/Shellstone/Onyx/Cantera) FLOOR, COUNTERTOP, TABLE, WALL AND SHOWER:

Post Construction Cleaning/Detailing Sealing - Natural Look, Color or Gloss Enhancement
Restorative Deep Cleaning (to remove all soil from textured stone and grout lines)
Stripping of Improperly Applied Sealer and Finishes
Scratch Removal
Honing (sanding to remove swirl marks and blotchy surface finishes)
Pit and Crack Filling, Stain and Etch Removal
Custom Finishing
Lippage Removal Grinding (removal of high edges/corners) of Uneven Tiles
Polishing (to restore/enhance a factory polish)
Sealing (natural look, color or gloss enhancement)
Caulking Removal and Replacement with Custom Colored Caulking
Slab & Tile Grout Removal and Repair
Mastic/Elastomeric Joint Compound Installation and Repair

T I L E

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR TILE (Porcelain/Ceramic/Glass/French Pavers/Spanish Pavers/Mexican Pavers/Terra Cotta/Concrete/Grout) FLOOR, COUNTERTOP, TABLE, WALL AND SHOWER:

Post Construction Cleaning/Detailing Sealing - Natural Look, Color or Gloss Enhancement
Restorative Deep Cleaning (to remove all soil from tile and grout lines)
Stripping of Improperly Applied Sealer and Finishes
Surface Contaminant Removal
Pit and Crack Filling and Stain Removal
Custom Finishing
Polishing (to restore/enhance a factory polish)
Sealing (natural look, color or gloss enhancement)
Caulking Removal and Replacement with Custom Colored Caulking
Tile Grout Removal and Repair
Complete Tile Grout Color Change
Mastic/Elastomeric Joint Compound Installation and Repair

C O N C R E T E

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR CONCRETE PAVER AND FLATWORK:

Post Construction Cleaning/Detailing/Sealing
Acid Staining to Produce a Mottled and Variegated, Natural Stone Look
High Gloss Epoxy Coatings
Grinding to Expose Aggregate and Polishing to a Natural Gloss Shine
Restorative Deep Cleaning
Stripping of Improperly Applied Sealer and Finishes
Efflorescence Removal
Oil Stain Removal
Lippage Removal Grinding (removal of high slab edges/corners)
Sealing (natural look, color or gloss enhancement)
Mastic/Elastomeric Joint Compound Installation and Repair

Procedures

Definitions of Natural Stone Care, Inc. Stone/Tile/Grout/Concrete Surfacing Procedures:

Mask/Prepare-
All carpet and fixtures are protected with safe release, (blue) painter’s masking tape and plastic sheeting. Our specialized floor machines are fitted with custom splash guards to protect against damage from water and slurry.

Strip-
Stone/tile/grout that were previously coated with a wax or a film forming sealer coating can only be stripped by using high performance, stripping chemicals in conjunction with one of our mechanical stripping systems. A thorough masking of surrounding surfaces is performed on all stripping projects.

Post Installation Clean/Detail-
Stone and grout are hand detailed to remove surface contaminants such as: post construction dirt, pencil marks, excess grout, paint splatters/speckles, tape and adhesive residue etc. Stone and grout are machine and hand scrubbed/brushed in conjunction with specialized cleaners. Suspended dirt/soil is vacuumed/extracted from the stone/tile/grout surfaces.

Deep Clean/Detail-
In addition to the Post Installation Clean/Detail services above, severely soiled stone/tile/grout can only be restored by using our proprietary restoration cleaners and machinery to achieve the maximum amount of soil removal as possible. Suspended dirt/soil is vacuumed/extracted from the stone/tile/grout surfaces.

Disinfect-
Stone/tile/grout are thoroughly cleaned with strong, yet safe (for humans, animals and stone) chemicals that will effectively sanitize and remove harmful bacteria.

Lippage Removal-
Stone is resurfaced to remove the high tile lips and to roll the edges of floor perimeter tiles (approximately 2” away from the baseboards and cabinet toe kicks). The surfacing procedures that follow will determine the desired surface sheen.

Scratch Removal (Diamond Grind and Sand)-
Stone that is etched, scuffed and surface scratched can only be restored by the use of mechanical abrasives underneath rotary machinery. Diamond abrasives resurface/remove a slight amount of stone (just enough to get below the etch marks and surface scratches). All diamond grinding is performed with the use of water to contain all dust. The surfacing procedures that follow will determine the desired surface sheen.

Hone-
Stone is mechanically resurfaced using diamond abrasives and water to achieve a uniformly honed surface sheen. Filler material within travertine stone that looks cloudy/splotchy/dirty becomes more uniform with our finishing techniques. If desired, polished marble, granite, travertine and limestone can be mechanically honed to remove the surface polish.

Natural, Machine Polish-
Stone is mechanically finished to produce a high gloss, shine and luster. Very light etches, scuffs and surface scratches may be removed with the polishing process, but diamond grinding is needed if the stone surface has medium-deep etches, scuffs and surface scratches.

Seal-
Stone/tile/grout are sealed with a premium, penetrating impregnator (clear; natural look; breathable/non-coating allows for moisture vapor transmission) for protection. Sealer by itself, does not produce a gloss to marble, travertine, limestone and granite. If a gloss is desired, the polishing process stated above is the only way to accomplish this (some limestones will not take a high polish). If an enhanced color is desired, stone and grout are sealed with a premium, film forming (breathable) color enhancer to protect and add color (the natural stone colors become more vibrant). Rough material such as: slate, flagstone, adoquin/cantera, clay pavers and concrete pavers will not take on a natural polish/gloss. The only way to achieve a gloss to these materials is by the application of gloss/color enhancing coatings.

Repair-
Damaged or deteriorated grout, caulk or joint seams are repaired by cleaning the grout joint or seam and installing various joint material (each situation is different) in to the joint or seam. Cracks and pits are repaired by first cleaning out the crack or pit, then mixing and installing a custom colored two part resin or a cementitious filler material in to the crack or pit to fill and disguise the area as much as possible. This process is similar to a tooth cavity being filled.

“Set in” stains within stone are treated by applying a poultice mixture that needs to remain on the stone for approximately 24 hours. Poulticing is not an exact science, some stains will not be removable. This all depends on the type of stain and how long the stain has been in the stone.

Custom Finishing-
Stone and concrete can be mechanically and/or chemically resurfaced to achieve a slip-resistant surface. Applications include: exterior/interior walkways, lobby floors, and bathroom floors.

Decorative Concrete Finishing-
Interior concrete can be ground and naturally polished in the same manner as marble or granite. Interior and exterior oncrete can be permanently stained with an acid stain material. This stain will produce a stone-look (intentionally mottled, variegated and irregularly patterned) to plain, ordinary concrete surfaces. The stain is available in several colors. Each concrete pour will react differently due to the chemical reaction between the inherent minerals and the acid stain material.

BASICS OF STONE SURFACING:

Stone is a product of nature and is comprised of various minerals, color variations and natural fissures. Each mineral may react to finishing techniques in various ways. Certain minerals may take on a higher polish than others. Also, after stone is quarried from the earth, many types of stone are filled after it is made into slabs or tiles. This filler material (resin based or cement based) may react to finishing techniques in various ways.
When stone is mechanically or chemically surfaced, the overall look or appearance of the stone can change. The reason for this is that the rougher the texture or less shine a surface has, the lighter the stone will be. Conversely, the finer the texture or more shine a surface has, the darker the stone will be.
Some stone will appear to be scratched but will actually be fractured throughout. The surface of the scratch can be removed but the fracture may remain. This is really evident on crystalline stones. The crystals of the stone can be crushed throughout the entire body of the tile or slab.

PLEASE READ BEFORE TIME OF SERVICE:

To allow us to serve you faster, please have all small items, breakables and furniture removed from the contracted areas before the time of service.
The estimate excludes the stone/tile/grout underneath the following items: Appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, trash compactor, etc.) and heavy furniture (like entertainment centers, hutches, beds, dressers and bookcases) unless stated otherwise. Please be assured that the estimate is not charging for these areas. The stone/tile/grout underneath area rugs will be serviced unless stated otherwise.
All materials applied and surfaces produced by Natural Stone Care, Inc. exceed slip resistance requirements. Therefore, Natural Stone Care, Inc. assumes no liability for any slip and fall accidents or injuries that may occur after the finished hardscape is completed.
Due to the unstable properties of baseboard material made of MDF (medium density fiberboard), Natural Stone Care, Inc. assumes no liability for any swelling to this type of non-wood material.
Finally, you are never forgotten after the project is completed. If you ever have questions concerning the care or maintenance of your stone, tile/grout or concrete, please call our toll free number (1.888.776.2725) and we will be glad to help.