If you have real stone or even faux stone on or around your home, you know how delicate of a process it is to properly take care of them. Abrasive materials will eat at the finish, excessive water in fluctuating temperatures can cause cracks, and general wear and tear will eventually make the stone look dull and lifeless. Luckily, you can revive your stone to its original quality using stone restoration. In this article, we’ll discuss stone restoration in the fall and winter, and any other time you need it.
Stone restoration is the process of repairing and restoring different types of stone back to its original quality. That means your stone will be back to looking like new. It can be done on any type of stone using the right process. You’ll need to find a professional who specializes in stone restoration, but once you do you’ll be basking in the beauty of your original stone features. To really make the restoration process stand out, you can have stones polished or change the overall finish. To protect it, you can add a sealant at the end of the restoration process. Stone restoration is fairly straightforward and gives you a number of flexible options so you can update your look to exactly what you want and need.
First of all, it’s important to note that stone restoration is a job that needs to be left to a professional masonry or restoration company. You cannot go out and buy the proper tools and materials to do this at home, nor will a cleaning company be able to give you the results you’re looking for. Stone restoration is a delicate process and should be something that you invest in, not something that you cut corners on. When done incorrectly, it can leave your stone in worse shape than it started.
With a professional mason or restoration technician, the restoration process begins by removing any signs of visible damage, starches, or chips. This is done using professional tools and is often referred to as diamond grinding—which can also be done to repair concrete or asphalt. The stone is ground down using specific, alternating tools to best mirror its natural appearance and original beauty. Then, using a professional technique, the stone is polished to perfection. Different types of stones will require different amounts of grinding and polishing to restore them to their natural appearance, but your professional mason or stone restoration technician has the experience to work with any and all types of stones for the best results.
While it’s possible to get stone restoration in the fall and winter, especially if the stone is indoors, remember the harsh realities of cold weather. Fall and winter weather can wreak havoc on your stone. Salt is abrasive and can expedite wear-and-tear on your stone surfaces. Harsh winter environments aren’t great for certain types of stones, especially if they’re softer in nature. Because of this, it’s best to wait until the weather warms up for stone restoration. This will help protect your investment and ensure that you have a beautiful stone finish for as long as possible. In the mean time, take some extra precaution to protect your stone.
Avoid dealing with stone cracks or chips during the fall and winter by investing in stone sealing. Sealing will protect your stone from the harsh freeze-thaw cycles of the fall and winter that leads to premature cracks and chips. Consider purchasing snow or ice melting products that are less abrasive to stone—such as those made with calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). Finally, keep an eye on your stone throughout the fall and winter and if you notice any damages, call the professionals at Chicago Tuckpointing Inc.
A home with brick or stone has a much higher curb appeal than those made with vinyl siding and concrete. Plus, many stone additions can be done without breaking the bank. If you need to schedule stone restoration in the fall and winter, or spring and summer, give the professionals at Chicago Tuckpointing a call today. All of our masonries have over 20 years of professional experience and are well equipped to handle both traditional masonry and any faux masonry construction or restoration. We’ll work with you to ensure you get the exact look you’ve always wanted, without having to pay an arm and a leg to get there. Give us a call at (708) 942-1951 to learn more about our services.