IN THIS POST
– Professional Marble Polishing Method
– DIY Marble Polishing Method
– Cost of Polishing Marble Floors
Do you have marble floors in your home? If you haven’t polished them in the last few years, there is a good chance that they look dull and a little worn out. There is also a huge possibility that they look dirty regardless of how often you sweep and mop them. If that’s the case, you should consider giving your marble flooring a new life and restore their original appearance. Since a lot of homeowners have little to no idea about the cost of polishing marble floors and the correct method to go about it, we are bringing you a detailed guide that’ll answer all your pressing questions.
When it comes to polishing marble floors, you have two main options. You can either hire a professional marble floor polishing service or learn how to polish marble floors by hand.
Professional Marble Floor Polishing
Hiring professionals for the job is usually considered the more convenient way to make your marble floors look brand new.
The cost of polishing marble floors varies with the condition of your floors. If your floors are particularly old and showing signs of general wear and tear, hiring a professional service might be your best option, though you will have to pay a higher marble floor polishing cost per square foot.
The marble polishing process comprises three basic steps: cleaning, polishing and resealing. Sometimes, the floor may also require buffing or refinishing.
Let’s quickly discuss each of the steps.
Cleaning Marble Floors
Owing to its highly porous nature, marble is prone to staining. Therefore, basic cleaning is the first step in polishing and restoring marble floors. It is usually included in the cost of the project.
Professionals start by sweeping the floors and then thoroughly clean them with a penetrating chemical that helps loosen grime and oil that may have soaked into the stone. The chemical is removed using a specialized vacuum.
Polishing Marble Floors
Particularly damaged floors should be professionally polished for a more refined look.
In the second step, the professionals may use a combination of abrasive chemicals, sanding disks, and polishing pads to strip away a thin layer of stone to minimize the surface flaws. This part of the process is referred to as refinishing and it is only done on worn-out floors. After the stone has been refinished, experts use liquid, spray or powder-based stone polishes to restore the marble floors. A round rotating polishing machine is generally used to polish the floors.
Resealing Marble Floors
This is the last step in the marble polishing process. Once the floor has been refinished and polished, pros reseal the surface to protect it against stains. This also makes the stone look new and shiny for a longer period.
Usually, one needs to apply multiple layers of sealants with adequate intervals to get the best results. However, the amount and application of sealant vary with each project.
Now that we’ve discussed the marble polishing methods, let’s move on to the less-expensive DIY tutorial.
DIY Marble Floor Polishing
If you only want to polish the marble floors in one small part of your house, going the DIY route will be much more economical than hiring a professional service. You will also have to liberty of choosing the best marble floor cleaner and polish within your budget or opt for a homemade alternative.
Though it will lower the cost of polishing marble floors, you should know that this process will require a lot of time, patience and hard work.
So, let’s take a look at how to polish marble floors by hand.
Cleaning Marble Floors
The first step is to properly clean the floor tiles. You can start by sweeping the dust, grime and debris that may have accumulated on the surface. Make sure not to drag your duster or brush roughly against the floor, as it could scratch the stone. Pay particular attention to the corners, doorways and other areas that usually go unnoticed.
After sweeping, mop the marble flooring to remove smaller particles of dust and dirt. Depending on the condition of your floor, you can either use plain water to mop the surface or opt for a non-acidic cleaner that is designed for marble surfaces.
Next, you must get rid of the stains. To remove the dark oil-based stains, you can either use a store-bought chemical cleaner or opt for plain ammonia. As for mildew and other biological stains, they can be removed using a solution of water and bleach.
In case you are planning to use ammonia or bleach solution, make sure to spread them evenly across the floor. Also, don’t forget to open all the windows in your home to get rid of the strong, toxic odour emitted by these chemicals. After half an hour, remove the bleach solution by thoroughly mopping the floor with water. You will have to mop the surface more than once to neutralize its pH and completely get rid of the homemade marble floor cleaner. Use a soft paper towel to absorb the excess moisture on the floor to avoid watermarks and stains.
Polishing Marble Floors
Though there are different types of marble polishes available in the market, you can use baking soda and water to create an eco-friendly (and affordable) alternative. Mix the two ingredients in a bowl and apply the paste on the floor in a thin layer using circular motions. Leave the floor to dry for about five hours before rinsing away the dry baking soda with a slightly wet cloth. Once the floor is free of baking soda, use a dry microfiber cloth in circular motions to buff the surface.
If your floors are particularly worn out, consider investing in commercial stone polishing products easily available at hardware stores and supermarkets. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to clean marble floors and grout lines.
Resealing Marble Floors
Lastly, you need to reseal your marble floors. For this purpose, you can use any good-quality store-bought sealant. Most of these products can be applied to the floor using a clean paintbrush. Allow the floor to dry completely before applying a new layer. For the best results, you can apply three to five coats of sealant on to the stone.
Cost of Polishing Marble Floors: DIY vs Professional
The cost of polishing marble floors depends largely on the condition of the stone. Old and stained floors may be a little more expensive to polish than newer, cleaner ones.
There’s no denying than the DIY method is far cheaper than hiring a professional marble floor polishing service. However, if you want your marble floors to look as good as new, acquiring the services of an expert may be your best option.
The professional marble polishing cost is around PKR 25 to 30 per sq ft. The labour rate for this project is around PKR 20 per sq ft. On the other hand, DIY marble polishing will only cost a few hundred bucks in total if you choose to use homemade cleaner and polish.
This brings an end to our guide on the cost of polishing marble floors.
Make sure to check out our comprehensive guide on the best types of marbles and their prices in Pakistan. You can take a look at our tips on how to determine the quality of marble before buying it.
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