A reader asks: “I read one of your articles on marble and have a question as how best to clean it up once all the construction is over.”

 

Based on our discussion it appears that you are not sure if this is real marble or faux marble product. It appears that the floor was installed and has seen heavy foot traffic with little protection for the floor. Please note that marble is relatively soft (3.5 – 4) with talc being less than 1 and a diamond being a 10, the hardest and most scratch resistant. Unfortunately sand grit can have a hardness of 7 – 9 and can act like fine “sand paper” on a marble floor. 

 

The reason I am stressing these facts to you is that you need to make sure the customer does not blame you for damaging the floor when all you are doing is exposing what has already been done. If the construction company did not make special efforts to protect the floor then your work will be greater if the expected outcome is a clean, shiny (no scratches visit) surface. Although some would argue that leaving the dirt on the floor with people walking on it will protect the floor my concern is that the more dirt/grit on the floor, the more damage that is being done. One day the marble and other stone manufacturers will develop a spray on product (similar to the factory finish on VCT – Vinyl Composite Tile) that will protect the floor until it is scrubbed off. I do not know of such a process but will research it just in case.

 

In a future article we will address the suggested steps for cleaning the floor. Your comments and questions are important. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean…

 

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678-314-2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net.

 

 


posted on 11/18/2014