Sandstone
At Tile and Stone Cleaners®, we offer a range of services to help restore the beauty of your sandstone floors. Whether you need advice on how to clean and maintain your floors, want to reseal your surfaces to protect them from future damage, or prefer to have a professional take care of it all, we’ve got you covered. As experts in sandstone cleaning, stripping, sealing, and restoration, we’re dedicated to helping you bring your floors back to their original condition.
What is Sandstone?
Sandstone is a type of rock that is made up of small particles, such as minerals and rock grains. Quartz and feldspar are commonly found in sandstone, as well as calcite, gypsum and different types of iron compounds. Sandstone has a grainy texture and can come in various colors, including tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink and white. Because of its unique appearance, certain colors of sandstone are commonly associated with specific regions.
Cleaning Sandstone Floors
Sandstone floors can be susceptible to scratches, stains, and cracking. It is important to avoid covering them with synthetic sealers or urethane, as this can impede the natural breathability of the tile. At Tile and Stone Cleaners®, we use advanced water-based sealers that penetrate deeply to protect your sandstone from chemical damage, deterioration, and contamination. The dulling of sandstone surfaces is typically caused by the accumulation of dust, sand, and grit from foot traffic. Over time, this fine scratching can cover the majority of the surface and dull the finish, making it lose its reflective qualities. Our team at Tile and Stone Cleaners® utilizes high-speed polishers to restore the smooth and reflective appearance of your stone surfaces.
Sandstone flooring found in older buildings is often of the porous, chalky variety with a smooth, granular texture. This type of sandstone, typically found in French and Spanish buildings, is more susceptible to staining than marble and can be affected by variations in hardness. It can also be etched by acidic substances, such as soft drinks, and absorb oils and other liquids. The most common colors of this type of sandstone are black, gray, white, yellow, and brown.
o protect sandstone from staining and to minimize dirt and grime build-up, it is crucial to apply a penetrating sealer. Cleaning should only be done using detergents with a neutral pH. Due to its softness, sandstone should never be pressure cleaned at levels above 800 PSI, and only if the grout is in good condition.
To maintain the desired appearance, whether it be honed or polished, regular professional maintenance will be required. While honed or low/medium sheen finishes are typically recommended for sandstone, some prefer a high shine. However, some types of low calcite sandstone may be difficult to polish and may require vitrification, although this can give the stone an artificial appearance if done too frequently.
andstone is a durable and cost-effective flooring option that is easy to clean. However, it may feel cold and hard to the touch and requires sealing to prevent staining and discoloration. Additionally, sandstone is sensitive to acidic substances and can react to them.
Sealing Sandstone Tiles
Sandstone is a porous material that can easily absorb liquids and stains, but the level of porosity can vary from piece to piece. A honed finish makes the surface more permeable than a polished finish. To safeguard against stains, oil penetration, and moisture damage, it is recommended to seal the sandstone with a high-quality, invisible, and breathable impregnating sealer. Sandstone’s composition of calcite makes it susceptible to acid damage from spills, so sealing the surface is essential to protect it from stains. Sealing will prevent most stains from penetrating the surface and is the first step in protecting your sandstone.
Two main sealing options exist for sandstone tiles
- Deep Penetrating Impregnating Sealer
(Transparent Finish/Colour Enhancing Finish)
- Topical Sealer
(Gloss/Satin/Matte Finish)
A premium penetrating sealer protects sandstone and grout from water and oil based stains by chemically reacting with the surface pores using nano-technology to create a breathable protective barrier. This type of sealer can make cleaning and maintenance much easier and can provide long-term benefits, protecting the sandstone for several years. A penetrating sealer enters the pores of the stone and once cured, it will not alter the appearance of the tile or stone. Additionally, a color-enhancing sealer can be used to enhance and enrich the natural look of the stone surface. It is recommended to seek the help of experienced technicians to apply the sealer and ensure the best results for your sandstone. They can also apply a topical sealer when needed to create a high gloss, satin sheen, or matte finish to the surfaces. Topical sealers have a shorter lifespan, usually around 3 years.
Pre-Sealing Preparation
- Prior to sealing, the surface should be cleaned and in the desired condition, as stains may be difficult to remove once sealed. Avoid using acidic cleaners on sandstone, as they can cause damage.
- Ensure that any existing coatings, such as wax or topical sealers, are removed from the sandstone before applying a new sealer.
- Make sure the floor is completely dry before applying any sealer.
Protection from Acid Etching
It can be challenging to protect sandstone against acid damage. Sandstone, as well as other types of calcite-based stone such as marble and travertine, are susceptible to acid etching. Any acidic substance, including lemon juice, cola, wine, and champagne, can cause immediate etching or corrosion of the sandstone surface. For this reason, many people prefer a honed or matte finish for sandstone, as it is less likely to showcase etch marks compared to a polished finish. It is crucial to clean up any acidic spills as soon as they occur.
Sandstone Floor Care & Maintenance
Maintaining the appearance of sandstone requires a consistent maintenance plan to be implemented from the moment of installation. Scratches are not as prevalent an issue on sandstone as they are on marble, but the lack of proper barrier matting can still lead to a loss of attractiveness in a honed surface. The primary concern with sandstone maintenance is the potential for staining.
Do’s:
- Clean spills immediately to prevent staining
- Seal sandstone floors to protect them from stains and damage
- Place a mat at each doorway to prevent dirt and debris from being tracked in
- Use a microfiber mop to clean floors, as it is gentle and efficient
- Clean floors regularly to maintain their appearance and protect the stone
Don’ts:
- Never use bleach, ammonia, or vinegar to clean sandstone floors, as they can cause damage
- Avoid using cleaners that are acidic, as they can etch the stone
- Never use an abrasive cleaner or scouring pad, as they can scratch and damage the surface of the stone.
Our Commercial Sandstone Cleaning Services Covers
- Building Cleaning
- After Building, Renovation Clean
- Insurance Companies
- Side Walks
- Store Fronts
- Power Wash Awnings and Signs
- Gum and Tough Stain Removal
- Strip Malls
- Condominiums
- Town Homes
Tile and Stone Cleaners® Sandstone Services
Sandstone Stripping and Sealing
Tile and Stone Cleaners® can provide professional cleaning and resealing services for sandstone tiles in any location, including kitchens, bathrooms, shower areas, around swimming pools, outdoor spaces, and difficult-to-reach indoor areas.
Sandstone Cleaning and Sealing
Tile and Stone Cleaners® offers professional cleaning and sealing services for all types of sandstone surfaces, whether they are located in your kitchen, shower, bathroom, around the pool, outdoors, or in hard-to-reach indoor areas. Our expert technicians will strip, clean, and reseal your sandstone tiles, restoring their natural beauty and protecting them from future staining and wear.
Sandstone Tile Sealing
Sealing your sandstone tiles is crucial in preventing stains and preserving their appearance. By creating a barrier against chemical attack and contamination, sealing helps keep stains on the surface, making them easier to clean. It is the first step in protecting your porous tiles.
Sandstone Stripping
Our team of experts at Tile and Stone Cleaners® are equipped with the necessary tools and skills to effectively strip old sealant and debris from your sandstone tiles, restoring the natural beauty of your floors. We offer a comprehensive floor stripping service for all hard surfaces, including flooring and wall tiles. Let us help protect your surfaces with a fresh new sealant application.
Sandstone Grinding
Grinding is a process that smooths out rough or uneven surfaces on sandstone by removing deep scratches, stains, and other contaminants. This results in a smooth and even surface, and can also remove any unevenness in tiles, known as lippage, that can occur after installation. Grinding also creates a new layer on which a honed or polished finish can be applied.
Sandstone Honing
Honing your sandstone surfaces can provide a more relaxed and inviting feel, with a smooth and velvety texture that’s perfect for casual settings. This type of finish is often less maintenance-intensive than a polished surface, making it a great choice for both homes and businesses.
Sandstone Polishing
Polishing sandstone surfaces involves using fine diamond abrasives to create a reflective finish. This process eliminates small scratches and enhances the reflection of light off the natural crystals on the surface. As a result, highly polished floors have smaller pores, which makes maintenance and cleaning easier.
Efflorescence Treatment
Efflorescence is the buildup of salt crystals on the surface of sandstone tiles or grout, which can be unsightly and difficult to remove. The experts at Tile and Stone Cleaners® have the tools, equipment and specialized solutions to effectively remove efflorescence, both on the interior and exterior of your surfaces. Our technicians are trained to use the most appropriate methods for your specific case and will leave your tiles looking like new.
Minor Tile Repair
Tile and Stone Cleaners® offers professional tile repair services to fix any cracked, chipped, loose, or discolored tiles in your walls, floors, stairs, or around your swimming pool. Our team of experienced tilers can also replace any broken or damaged tiles, even if you have spare tiles leftover from installation.
Grout Colour Sealing
Tile and Stone Cleaners® can revive the appearance of stained or discolored grout by recoloring it or changing the color entirely. Our Grout Colour Sealing service is specially designed to restore your grout to a like-new condition.