At Artisans of Devizes, we are here to help set your project apart with our selection of beautifully crafted natural stone and tiles and we want you to enjoy for years and years to come. The ongoing care of your stone is very important to us and so we have collaborated with leading stone restoration specialists Athena Stonecare, who have developed a suite of advice and guidance on how to maintain the finish of your stone.
Having natural stone in a bathroom is a wonderful way to add a touch of luxury to your home. The earthy tones of limestone can recreate a spa-like experience whereas the bold colours of marble elevate a space with a hint of grandeur.
No matter what materials you use in a wet environment, regular maintenance will always be necessary. The grout of a porcelain tile, for example, will become discoloured easily if you don’t keep on top of the cleaning. Whereas a little more time investment might be needed to care for your natural stone, having to do so means that you’ll not neglect the tiles as is so easily done with a ‘low-maintenance’ surface.
We recommend that you clean your stone shower and bath area daily. The easiest and most effective way is to spray the walls and floor of the stall with a stone safe cleaner, then squeegee down after everybody in the home has taken a shower for the day. This will stop hard water build ups on the surface of the stone.
This is particularly pertinent when it comes to Marble which is acid sensitive. With strong acids, you will see the effects of this instantly with a white or dull burn mark, known as etching. This is not something that can be wiped or cleaned off and will require professional restoration.
Tap water is not always PH neutral which means that over time, this can have a similar effect on your stone. In a marble bathroom, this means that it is really important to keep the surfaces as dry as possible. When it comes to cleaning the stone in your bathroom it is essential to use a PH neutral stone cleaner. If in doubt, look out for ‘stone-safe’ on the label. We also recommend keeping this in mind when cleaning other areas of your bathroom. Try using alcohol to clean your windows and mirrors rather than harsher acidic-based cleaning chemicals. If using bleach for your toilet then it is worth taking a little more time to protect any surrounding stone too.
Although stone will have been sealed when installed, it is important to note that this will not prevent the damage that acids and hard water can do over time. We suggest periodically reapplying sealant to the stone in your bathroom. Not only will it make sure the stone doesn’t start to allow moisture ingress but will also maintain the aesthetics.
How to maintain your sealant: Pour a small amount onto a microfibre cloth and apply to the stone surface in small circles until you have covered the area. Then buff the stone with a fresh cloth to remove any excess. Leave this for at least 15 minutes to dry, ideally 24 hours if possible.
As with any room that you are considering installing natural stone in, there’s stone types that are more suitable and usually this is down to reducing the required maintenance.
Marble installed in a bathroom should ideally be the highest grade possible for the minimal inclusions and veining. This is because the vein composition is vulnerable to moisture damage. Very light, white marble can also be subjected to discoloration over time due to its naturally occurring iron content rusting. On the contrary, dark marbles will show the etch marks and hard water deposits very easily and so do require a diligent approach to maintenance.
It is important too, if considering limestone or travertine to opt for a less porous type. Stone suppliers should be able to talk you through the options with the lowest water absorption rate.
After selecting the stone type, particular attention should be paid to the finish on the stone, size of tile and other factors that will impact the slip rating of the surface if being installed on a bathroom floor.
Top tip: Keep an eye on grout and particularly silicone throughout the bathroom. Not only will worn grout look unsightly, but water that gets behind the stone can cause damage beyond repair.
Don’t let metal bathroom accessories (toilet brush holder, toilet paper stand etc) sit directly on the stone floor. Moisture, even from steam condensation will pool around the bases and can cause unsightly and difficult-to-remove rust marks in the stone.