Stone Care and Maintenance for Experts
Over 45% of the earth’s composition is made of rock and stone – and as the crust circles the world’s inner core, more and more compounds are pressed together to form all new stone structures. For millennia, mankind has been harvesting these sources of rock with the intention of building homes and other types of structures – many of which have stood the test of time and can still be seen today, thousands of years after their initial erection.
Although very durable and able to resist all but the most severe damage; stones aren’t entirely safe against wear and tear, the elements and general use. Over time, even the most well-preserved rocks can start to suffer with damage and decay, and as far as stone resources within homes and gardens go; this event can be detrimental.
Fortunately, there are several methods that can help to keep stones looking clean and clear for years – and there are even products on the market that can help to reinforce the natural strength of rocks. But what are they and how do they work exactly?
Polishing powders
Limestone and other types of commonly used rocks can suffer with colour fading over time. When these events occur, polishing powders like those manufactured by Aguila can be very beneficial. When added to water, the resulting paste is more than enough to strip away dirt and debris, before revealing a smooth surface and replenished colour.
Cleaning brushes
Another very effective way to clean stone surfaces is by scrubbing them with an Aguila cleaning brush – a brand well-known for the strength and durability of its products. Unlike traditional brushes that rely on softer hairs to clean and buff, these specifically-made alternatives feature stronger fibres that run alongside the grains of the stone; allowing the potential for a much cleaner surface.
Polishing blocks
One of the most effective ways to polish a stone is by rubbing another one against it. As effective as this technique can be, it does leave a little something to be desired; especially if the rocks have different shapes, making point to point contact difficult. Polishing blocks are rocks that have been ground down and shaped to cater to a variety of proportions – and the Akemi grinding block in particular features two sides in both a finer and slightly thicker grit consistency.
The key to keeping rocky surfaces clean and clear is to polish them often – and in a consistent manner for at least a few hours, depending on the size of the surface. If allowed to be exposed to the elements for any length of time, the internal structure of rocks can begin to weaken and this is one of the main reasons why people paint brickwork and other rocky structures.