Depending on the amount of traffic, the type of stone floor, as well as the area in which you live, you have a variety of options to take into consideration. In some cases, the care of these floors is more difficult. In others, it is quite simple. But, regardless of what you need to do, doing it will allow for your stone floors to last a lifetime and longer.

Installation Right First

The first step in caring for stone floors is ensuring proper installation. When it is laid properly, it will beautiful, but more importantly it will be less likely to crack, slip, or become uneven. It is always wise to have a professional do the work. A handy person can do it themselves with the proper tools plus some basic knowledge. There are many online tutorials available to guide you. But, remember that this type of flooring is quite expensive so you may not want too many wasted pieces!

Stone Sealers

When you think of a stone, you think of a porous material. The problem with most stone flooring is that it is susceptible to staining. In porous stones like marble, you will find that even a little bit of water can cause the floor to spot. Other very porous flooring choices include limestone and sandstone. Slate is a porous stone, but more water resistant than the previously mentioned flooring materials. Granite is a very hard, non-porous surface, good for flooring; it's still wise to seal it so that it doesn't stain.

But, there are ways that you can protect the flooring from these stains. Most individuals will use a stone sealer on the floor. Sealers range in differences depending on the type of floor, the texture of the flooring as well as in quality. When properly sealed, they can help to protect the floors from easily staining. But, even with them applied, your stone flooring can become stained if a spill, especially those with acids in them, is left on the floor for very long. Anytime something is spilled, it should be cleaned up as soon as possible.

Regular Care Of Stone Flooring

When it comes to stone flooring cleaning, there are some basic things to remember.

• The first course of action is the dust mop. A dry mop that removes debris gently is needed. This is necessary because dirt, for example, left on the stone flooring can be abrasive to the flooring material and therefore damage it. To help in this type of prevention, use a carpet near the entrance to help trap these particles before they even get into the room.


• When cleaning stone flooring, excess water should not be used. Take a mop and wring it out, then wipe the floor. You should not use any chemicals on stone floors, especially those with acid in them. Once the floor is cleaned, those who have a marble surface should take a dry towel to immediately dry the flooring. Most other types of flooring do not require this attention.


• Removing stains from grout will be necessary sometimes.


• Regular polishing may be necessary for high traffic areas. Have a professional come in to do the work to ensure that the stone flooring is not damaged.


• Lastly, stone flooring care will require that you reapply sealers to the flooring annually. Marble should be more frequent, like every nine months.

Taking care of your stone flooring will keep it looking beautiful. Your home is your castle. And as with European castles that often have stone floors, taking care of them will let them last a long time.