Natural stone can be used in many different ways in your home. You can use it for flooring, countertops, or around your fireplace. Some common types of natural stone used in the home include granite, marble, limestone, and slate. If you have natural stone in your home, stone polishing is a term you may encounter. Unfortunately, not many people are familiar with this process or why it is used. Here are a few of the questions you may have about polishing natural stone and the answers. 

How Is Stone Polished?

Polishing stone is very similar to sanding wood. When wood is sanded, a sanding machine rubs sandpaper over wood to help remove the outer layers of wood. The same is true when it comes to polishing stone. A machine that works similarly to a sander is used to polish the stone. An abrasive material is rubbed over the stone to help remove its outermost layers, revealing new layers. The type of abrasive material used varies based on the type of stone that is being polished, but regardless of what material is used, the end goal is to remove the top layer from the stone. 

Why Is Stone Polished?

Stone that is already in your home can be polished for a number of reasons. The top reason why stone is polished is because it has lost its shine or luster. As the top layer is exposed to sunlight, wear and tear, and cleaners, it loses some of its natural luster and shine. Removing the top layer helps to revive the stone. Stone polishing can also be done to remove imperfections in the outer layers, including minor scratches, chips, and stains. 

When Should Stone Be Polished? 

Natural stone should only be polished as needed. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is polishing stone every few years, rather than as needed. This is because each time the stone is polished, it thins a bit. Eventually, the stone will be too thin to polish, and you won't be able to polish it if it is needed. Properly caring for your stone can help minimize the frequency in which you need to have it polished. 

If your natural stone is looking cloudy, has minor scratches or chips, or has surface stains, polishing it is one of the stone repair and restoration techniques that can be used. It helps to remove the surface layer of the stone, revealing a new layer that is not flawed. If your natural stone needs to be revived, contact a stone repair company today to get started. 

For more information, talk to companies like Marble Tec Systems.

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