ATLAS develops maintenance programs specific to your home or office. This ensures the presentation, condition, and repair of your stone, tile, grout, paver and concrete. We also provide practical training and supplies. We provided two main types of maintenance services:
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Light Maintenance: |
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This is performed when surfaces are well cared for or in good condition |
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Depending on the homeowner and situation, it may be performed every six months |
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Light cleaning, polishing or sealing are performed in the highest use or traffic areas, such as flooring in the kitchen/nook area, the master shower, and critical areas exposed to the elements
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Medium Maintenance: |
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This is performed when surfaces reveal light to medium blemishes, such as scratches, etches, dullness and marks |
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Usually, minor repairs are needed like grout touch-up, hole filling with epoxy, and caulking repair |
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Light to medium refinishing, polishing, cleaning, and sealing are needed over most of a home or office
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Sealing, staining, waxing or applying various coatings may be needed where areas have customized finishes or exposed to the elements
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Call us at 714.953.5353 to arrange an appointment for a FREE in-home training session on how to best maintain your surfaces and a FREE liter of neutral pH soap or to arrange for a service plan.
ALTAS' Natural Stone Care Guide:
Our Natural Stone Care Guide provides information about the care and maintenance of your stone. Tips for post-installation, showers, counters, and floors are provided. In addition, there are some helpful hints to prolong the life and beauty of your natural stone.
Seal right the first time!
Sealers are a “first line of defense” providing some time to clean-up spills thereby minimizing their negative effects. ATLAS formally tests and the products of the most prominent sealer manufacturer's determining their quality and effectiveness. Sealers come in two forms:
Impregnating/Penetrating Sealers:
These invisible sealers are absorbed into the surfaces' pores and permit vapor transmission. They do not “coat” the surface. ATLAS uses a combination of sealers depending upon the stone or material and its location. These sealers help to repel, for a time, most liquids like water, oil, or dirt and other contaminants. They reduce the negative effects of contaminants, and prolong the health and beauty of the material. Sealers do not repel all caustic liquids nor prevent eventual absorption.
Topical Coatings (film-forming sealers):
These products are best used for man-made materials. Coatings have film-forming properties that help to resist traffic, the elements and most pollutants. They are best for situations in which one wants to create a customized finish or end product through adding color, sheen and texture.
We discourage employing them on natural stone due a tendency to some that easily scratch, flake, and yellow. This also applies to the cheaper polishing products that utilize waxes and acids like crystallizers. Even though the stone is superficially protected, some coatings require regular stripping and reapplication.
Marble
Maintenance is needed every 1 – 3 years. |
Due to its polished finish, marbles are susceptible to two major blemishes: scratches and etches. Scratches are caused by dirt and sand tracked through a home. (Floor mats, especially those made of natural fibers, will reduce scratches.) Etches are caused when an acidic or caustic liquid come into contact with the calcium in the stone leaving a dull, whitish mark. With professional care, both problems are easily remedied. All marble should be sealed. Tumbled marble is treated similarly and care must be taken to keep its wider grout clean. Different kinds of treatments are necessary to restore marble to its original condition.
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Slate
Maintenance is needed every 1 – 3 years. |
Neutral pH stone soap is best. A deck brush can be used to remove more soiled or mineral affected areas. One must be careful not to scrub too hard, as some slates are softer and particles can loosen. Standing water should be squeegeed, as mineral build-up and efflorescence can occur during evaporation. If additional treatment is needed, more aggressive, homeowner-friendly cleaners and processes can be used.
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Limestone / Travertine
Maintenance is needed every 1 – 3 years. |
Depending on the type of Travertine or limestone, care must be taken during cleaning. Thorough vacuuming and mopping with clean water and neutral pH soap inhibit dirt and soil build-up. Every few months, diluted bleach can be used to keep these more textured stones (even sanded grout) cleaner, and lighter and brighter in appearance.
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Granite
Maintenance is needed every 2 – 4 years. |
Even though granite is very durable and some can naturally repel water, highly caustic liquids and oils can still penetrate. These liquids can react with certain minerals and cause etching, dulling, and staining. Oil molecules are smaller and usually pass easily into a stone’s pores. Granite should be sealed with impregnating sealers. They help repel liquids and oils, and maintain the stone’s health. |
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