Presto Restoration will clean and seal the marble surfaces of your commercial building using only the safest and most effective techniques, tools, and chemicals. We have decades of experience in making the exterior of historic and commercial buildings look their best. Read on to learn more about why it is important to hire a professional when it comes to taking care of marble.
Marble Properties & Uses in Commercial Buildings
Marble is a metamorphic rock, marble consists mainly of calcite or dolomite, or a combination of the two. It forms when limestone is subjected to extreme heat and pressure. Its varied appearance and colors come from the other minerals it contains, such as quartz, pyrite, graphite, and iron oxides. These minerals give marble a pink, grey, green, brown, or variegated look.
The number of applications for marble in commercial buildings is infinite. Marble is one of the most-used raw materials in modern commercial construction. It’s a component of many historic structures, including the U.S. Capitol, Congressional office buildings, and many other government buildings. Prized for its beauty and durability, it’s a heat- and fire-resistant natural material that adds architectural interest and integrity to any building. The most common uses include:
- Stone cladding
- Stone flooring
- Stonework such as columns and arches
Understanding Efflorescence and Why Marble Can Look Chalky
In addition to its strength and durability, marble is also a porous material. That makes it susceptible to what’s known as “efflorescence,” which comes from the French phrase “to flower out.” Efflorescence is easy to spot—it’s that white, chalky appearance you often see on marble buildings or tile. Efflorescence is caused by:
- Soluble compounds such as salt in the masonry or adjoining materials
- Evaporation or hydrostatic pressure
- Moisture that carries marble’s compounds to its surface
To clean efflorescence and seal marble so it doesn’t return correctly calls for specialized restoration solutions and techniques to remove staining and discoloration without damaging the surface finish.
How to Clean and Seal Marble
To clean and seal marble without damaging it, Presto’s marble restoration service experts use only the safest techniques and treatments. Successful removal of stains from marble requires great care. If your marble has stains then it will require a more intense cleaning than a simple wipe down.
There are multiple causes of stains on the marble:
- Oil-based stains from human skin contact or adjacent wood staining treatments
- Organic stains from leaves, bird droppings, and bark
- Biological stains such as algae, mildew, fungi, moss, and lichens
- Inorganic metal stains and rust from adjoining materials like iron, bronze, and copper
- Water spots when there is a surface accumulation of hard water
- Paint stains from other building maintenance work
Along with efflorescence, your building might also experience smoke damage or etch marks.
For many years, it was thought more pressure was best for cleaning marble. But each time high pressure is used to clean a stone surface, a layer of the material is removed. Time and experience have taught us that a lower pressure wash in combination with the right cleaning products safely and effectively cleans marble without altering its surface.
Once our technicians have completed marble restoration services on your building, we recommend you have us apply our special sealant to the marble to defend it from future staining.
Our Marble Restoration Products and Expertise
For over two decades, Presto Restoration has worked with our clients to clean and seal their marble buildings in innovative and safe ways. Our extensive experience in marble restoration, cleaning, sealing, and maintenance has made us the marble restoration company of choice across the country.
We know that marble clean and seal services are a delicate procedure. It’s crucial to hire qualified marble restoration professionals to perform these complex services. Presto has the experience and knowledge you need to ensure the marble on your commercial building is done right. We offer commercial building exterior consulting services to help you make a sound decision for your property.
Presto’s Clean and Seal Marble Services
All of our commercial building clean and seal services follow a 3-step process:
- We provide you with accurate pricing so you can budget the services
- Once the project is ready to move forward, we conduct in-depth testing to determine the best restoration process
- We provide you with a thorough plan of service and as-needed submittals for any architects or material manufacturers
It is important to clean and seal your marble to protect it from damage and stains. The process is a smart investment that not only solves and prevents future problems on your building’s exterior but also allows you to obtain the best ROI on it as possible.
Contact Presto Restoration for a free consultation today.
Call us at 1-800-785-9927 or Request A Quote.
