Limestone is a sedimentary rock which is formed at the bottom of the ocean. Formed by the layering of the skeletons and shells of sea creatures that lived in vast, warm seas millions of years ago. The sediment that builds up preserves these organisms into fossils. Over millions of years the heat and pressure cause a chemical reaction which turns this sediment into limestone.
Visually limestone can vary considerably depending on how much calcite is present in the stone, the level of impurities and the distribution of fossils. High calcite limestone will have a very light colour while impurities such as iron oxide give it a yellow or tan appearance and the presence of carbon will darken it to a black or grey.

Limestone has a hardness rating of 3 – 4 on Moh's scale. It is usually identified by it's beautiful display of fossils however these are not always visibly present. Limestone which has been incorrectly maintained can sometimes show swirls of soil which can look like a natural feature of the stone. It will usually appear honed rather than polished and can be extremely porous however this can also vary greatly from one limestone to another.
 
An annual, professional, deep cleaning by Captain Marble with pH neutral cleaners and a renewal of the sealer will keep the Limestone looking good.

Limestone Restoration and Maintenance:

Noticed some of your tiles are higher than others? Do you want your floor flattened to improve the esthetics, keep from chipping the edges, and facilitate limestone cleaning? Captain Marble can grind away the excess limestone to restore a flat level surface using the latest state-of-the-art machinery in conjunction with diamond abrasives and a natural polishing compound.
Have you noticed dull areas in your traffic areas? This is typically associated with what is commonly referred to as wear patterns, scratches, etches and so forth. Captain Marble can repair these surfaces by either “honing” or polishing your limestone to eliminate these blemishes. The surface is then polished or honed to the desired finish leaving you with the memories of your new floor once again
Captain Marble has extensive experience in limestone restoration and will give you peace of mind when choosing a stone care professional. Captain Marble offers a consultancy service to architects and interior designers and our reputation in the industry is unrivalled. Please see our testimonials page and feel free to contact us for free expert advice and a no-obligation survey..
 
Preventive maintenance:

Limestone can be difficult to maintain if a proper maintenance cycle is not put in place from the point of installation. As it is usually not polished, the problem of scratching is not as big an issue as it is with marble, however if proper barrier matting is not introduced even a honed surface will lose its attractiveness. The most important factor to consider with the maintenance of limestone is the possibility of staining. Its calcite composition makes it susceptible to acid attack from spilt food and drink. Its high porosity can also mean oil will permeate the surface and leave staining if it is not properly sealed with a penetrative sealer.

Regular Maintenance
Any stone needs a good planned maintenance schedule in place to preserve it and to delay restoration procedures for as long as possible.
Daily maintenance will consist of dry dust mopping using a clean rayon mop. Regular damp mopping will also be required. This must be carried out using a good quality stone soap alternated with just fresh water. It is important that soap residue doesn't build up on the surface of the stone. Spills should be wiped promptly to prevent staining or etching. Acid based chemicals used for household cleaning can damage the surface of limestone and other calcite stones on contact. Similar damage from acid based foods and beverages can be avoided if not left to dwell.
Professional regular maintenance will be required to maintain its honed or polished appearance. Captain Marble's opinion is that limestone looks best with a honed or low/medium sheen appearance however many people insist on a high shine finish. Some low calcite limestone can be extremely difficult to polish and therefore vitrification would be required. Vitrification however is only a short term solution and can give the stone an unnatural plastic appearance if repeated too often.

Contact Captain Marble Today.
You deserve to have your floors, countertops and other limestone surfaces looking beautiful and elegant again. Let Captain Marble professionally clean and enhance your surfaces so you can enjoy the everlasting beauty of your polished or honed limestone tile. If your having problems with tile or grout cleaning, or limestone, we will get it looking clean and new again. Give us a call today at 1-877-997-9978