With a marble tile floor, your home definitely takes on a bold new look. Marble is such a magnificent piece of stone that it creates a unique and elegant look like no other.
Over time, marble tiles develop unsightly cracks and marks due to wear and tear. There are several methods to hide them and keep your floor as polished and shiny as ever.
Marble affairs
The treatment to be applied to your marble tile floor depends on the qualities and properties of the marble itself. Have someone do a chemical analysis of your stone. Marble must contain at least 60% calcium carbonate or CaCO3. Dolomitic marble also contains magnesium silicate.
People may be surprised to learn that some material they thought was marble is actually not marble after a thorough analysis. Real marble is very strong and can withstand pressure for several years before needing to be re-polished and sealed. Treating materials that are not really pure marble will not hide cracks.
Hide the cracks
First, evaluate the length and depth of the cracks. Mix enough poultice to cover all the cracks you find. Carefully place the poultice over the cracks and do your best not to spill the nearby surface of the marble tile floor. Use a small, even block of wood to press down to completely fill in the cracks. Leaving any air gaps inside will cause the material to swell and rise over the edge as it dries.
Allow enough time for the poultice to dry, which is one to two hours. Next, take out fine sandpaper and level off any excess material coming off the edge. Take some colored powder that is the same shade as your marble floor and rub it over the poultice with your hand. Make sure to rub in the powder deep enough and evenly to match the color of the marble. Let everything dry and dry for 24 hours.
After a day, check if the surface is level and if the crack is completely sealed and hidden. Get some wax and buff the floor to restore shine and luster. The stamp will last between 6 months and a year. You can regularly treat the cracks in your marble tile floor every few months to make sure it remains smooth and beautiful.
Other useful materials that can hide cracks are wax sealers and cement fillings. Make sure to apply enough material to cover the cracks without leaving any air gaps inside. Always press the material after each application to set it as firmly as possible to last for several months.
If the cracks are too large or there are inaccessible air spaces at the bottom of the marble, you may need to remove the entire tile entirely and replace it with a new one. Be sure to clean and remove the hollow area after removing the damaged tile before placing the new one to keep the surface even and smooth.
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