How Natural Stone Is Repaired

Natural stone is a beautiful addition to any space. There are many different colors and options that you can choose from to truly highlight the colors and patterns of your room. Many people love natural stone because it is eco-friendly, sustainable, low maintenance and durable. That is why there are so many homes and businesses that utilize natural stone in their countertops, floors, and even in other pieces. 

If you are new to natural stone, you may be wondering how it is created or where it comes from. The process of how the natural stone gets from the earth to your countertops is pretty interesting! Natural stone comes from a quarry, which is a large pit in the earth where stone or other materials are being extracted. Large blocks of stone are cut out from the quarry and transferred to a production facility. 

Once those blocks of stone are received, thin pieces called slabs are cut out. The slabs are then shaped, polished and shipped to be installed. At GMS Werks, we utilize a water jet cutter, which uses an extremely high-pressure jet of water, or mixture of water and an abrasive substance, to cut through the stone. 

A huge draw of natural stone is that it is fairly low maintenance and very strong and durable, which means home and business owners don’t have to worry too much about it. The biggest tips to remember when taking care of your natural stone are:

• Clean the surface with mild soaps or ones made specifically for stone 

• Clean up spills immediately to prevent staining

• Don’t use anything acidic on your natural stone 

• Don’t use any abrasive cleaners

• Thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after cleaning 

Even if you take excellent care of your stone, you may run into a problem that requires natural stone repair. If that is the case, here is what to expect. 

Refinishing

If your stone is beginning to look worn or has some stains, there is a restoration or refinishing process that can be completed to get it back to looking as good as new. The process is similar to wet sanding. This means that a cream or powder abrasive will be applied. The person restoring your natural stone will use a machine with a diamond disc that will exfoliate the surface of the stone. 

This process will remove wear and tear, scratches, etching and staining. After the initial sanding is completed and the stone is free of flaws, it can then be repolished or rehoned in order to get it looking as good as it did right after install! 

Cracks

Though it is unlikely due to the durability of natural stone, if you develop a crack that needs natural stone repair, don’t worry, there is a way to fix it! Your technician will fill the crack with a special epoxy that is very runny. It will set overnight and solidify in the cracks. Then the residue will be scraped off or repolished and it will be as good as new!

If you have questions about what type of natural stone is best for you and your space or need help with a natural stone repair, give GMS Werks a call today! We have amazing stone technicians that can help you complete all of your custom, natural stone projects!