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INTEX SURFACE SOLUTIONS

Stone Repair Services

We aim to provide clean, dust free restoration services in your home or business, and take great pride in the mastery of our craft. Below is a rough outline covering most of the stone care services we offer. 

Marble Polishing

• Floor polishing
• Scratch & etch repair
• Wide range of finishes

Read More
Over time all marble floors will show signs of wear, including dullness and light scratches, particularly in high traffic areas such as hallways or lobbies. If a floor is maintained regularly, most wear patterns and light scratches can be fixed with a one-step polishing process. However, if a floor becomes heavily damaged, it is necessary to grind into the surface of the stone before restoring to the desired finish. 

Restoration typically involves first assessing the damage of the floor or countertop, and deciding how aggressively we must grind it in order to get past the depth of the damage. Usually three stages of grinding are required, consisting of consecutively smoother diamond abrasive pads before moving on to polishing. Depending on the type of stone, polishing consists of two to four passess over each area. 

Our polishing compounds are non acidic, and allow the material to "breath", reduces damage caused by moisture being trapped within the stone which can cause it to degrade or flake. Once polished, the floor is washed with a neutral cleaner, allowed to dry and sealed with a high quality, solvent based penetrating sealer. The sealers we use are non topical, and have no effect on the finish of the material, they simply prevent absorption of contaminants into the substrate of the stone. 

Marble Honing

• Low maintenance
• Modern aesthetic
• Soft to the touch

Read More
Marble, limestone or other calcite based materials are very susceptible to etching/acid staining, which result in dull marks (usually rings or dots). These dull marks contrast greatly with the surrounding polished surface, and require regular maintenance to keep the surface free of etches and looking sharp. A common solution to this problem is to convert the material to honed finish. Since a honed finish is already dull, visibility of etches is greatly reduced. Honed marble in general has become very popular for both its aesthetic and maintenance properties. Over time honed marble will wear much more evenly than polished marble. When converting to a honed finish, the initial work is more labour intensive than typical maintenance, as all edges and profiles need to be sanded evenly and usually by hand. Once converted however, localized repairs are fairly easy to manage.

Countertops are usually the best candidates for conversion, whereas floors are typically given a patina finish. The type of stone, it's density and its resistance to acids will inform which finish is best.

It's important to mention that we only perform mechanical honing, as opposed to chemical honing. Chemical honing requires the use of acids to dull the surface, which is very easy to perform from a labour perspective, but comes with the unfortunate side effect of pitting and opening the pores of the stone. Ultimately the acids used are taking advantage of the inherent vulnerability of the stone, and not an appropriate treatment in our opinion. One nasty side effect of chemical honing only shows up if the material is later polished, as the pits left in the stone by the acid may remain present in the polish. Needless to say, we've abandoned any chemical treatments to provide higher quality long term results. Our approach of mechanical honing allows for a very controlled grinding of the surface, and does not leave pits or roughness in the material nor weaken the bonds in the substrate of the stone. 

Stone Repair

• Chip and crack repair
• On-site colour matching
• Long lasting results

Read More
Cracks and chips in natural stone may occur over time, caused by any number of factors, from structural movement to accidental damage. We use high quality epoxy resins that are colour matched on-site to repair the damaged areas. Our epoxy repairs are typically ground, leveled, and re-surfaced to match the surrounding stone. Our goal is to make repairs permanent and long lasting, as well as absolutely invisible to anyone who was unaware of the initial damage.

The first step of a chip or crack repair involves cleaning the area with solvents to remove grease and dirt. This is followed by profiling the edges or interior of the damaged section with a rotary tool, this ensures the section has the required depth and "tooth" for the epoxy to adequately bond, and promotes longevity of the repair. 

With regards to colour matching, our ability to match both the colour and transparency of your natural stone is unparalleled. All technicians have intermediate training in colour theory, and most have artistic or creative experience and training outside of work.

Granite & Quartzite

• Natural auartzite
• Scratch and wear repair
• Touch up polishing

Read More
Granite and natural quartzite are orders of magnitude harder and denser than marble and limestone. These materials require specialized individual treatment based on their type. Varibles such as which diamond abrasives are used, the number of smoothening steps, the pressure applied at each stage of grinding, as well as the polishing compounds and pads used during the process must be adapted to the specific granite or quartzite being treated. 

We are very experienced not only in treating common varieties of granite, but also some of the most challenging natural quartzites being imported as of the last few years. We've been called in to deal with several natural quartzite projects our competitors have been unable to restore, and have yet to be left with an unsatisfied client. We can fully grind and restore your granite and quartzite or avoid grinding and rejuvenate the polish depending on its condition. If possible, we will suggest single step polishing as a budget friendly alternative to complete restoration. 

If you have any questions regarding selection of natural quartzite or granite, we are happy to offer our insight on the many varieties we've encountered. Our advice regarding how these materials hold up in the long term is something your marble fabricator usually can't offer. 

Shower & Bath

• Marble shower cleaning
• Mould removal
• Silicone replacement

Read More
Mould and mildew thrive in showers due to the heat and dampness brought about by daily use. Due to the sensitivity of most natural stone, harsh cleaners cannot be used, allowing hard water and soap mildew to quickly build up. Our solution is to avoid any acids or harsh cleaners and instead mechanically clean your stone surfaces. Steam or alkaline cleaners are used to sanitize the space. Failed silicone is removed and replaced with mildew-resistant silicone designed specifically for use on natural stone. Once restored, the sealer and silicone will prevent water absorption and prolong the life of your stone. Please see our stone care guide for tips on maintaining your natural stone shower.

Stone Sealing

• Penetrating sealers
• Clear or enhancing
• Food safe

Read More
Natural stone is often installed without sealer. If left unsealed, water will darken stone temporarily, while oil and other food products can cause permanent discoloration. It is recommended that stone in high traffic areas is cleaned and re-sealed every 2-3 years. Daily use showers may need to be sealed more often.

We offer both transparent and colour-enhancing sealers. Transparent sealer will not change the appearance of the stone and is usually used with polished stone. Colour-enhancer achieves a wet-look/darker finish. It is usually used on dark honed marble, as a low-maintenance alternative to a polished finish.

Grout Cleaning

• Stain removal
• Tumbled marble
• Grout sealing

Read More
We typically manage our grout cleaning during the grinding and resurfacing stages of our restoration process. Materials installed with very wide grout joints or with substantial naturally occurring holes will require more direct treatment. Tumbled Travertine in particular can become very dirty as it has been purposefully left with wide joints of sanded grout, and has many low lying holes throughout the edges and centers of the tiles. With these materials, we typically isolate the grout cleaning stage by machine scrubbing the grout with either degreasers or neutral cleaners before moving on to treating the actual surface of the stone. Once dry, we heavily seal both the natural stone and the grout to prevent stains from penetrating and make future cleaning easier. 

Mitres & Lippage

• Smooth seams
• Single slab effect
• Lippage removal

Read More
The most prestigious installations involve very large bookmatched slabs, cut and installed to follow the natural veining found in the quarry where the stone blocks were originally sourced. We come in after the installers to blend these slabs together. We mix a colour matched epoxy and fill both flat seams and mitred joints. The corners are sanded smooth to the touch, and polished or honed to match the slab finishes. This type of work is usually seen in large slabbed stone fireplaces or wall features, but occasionally entire walls, floors and ceilings are installed in this manner.  

Besides mitres, floors can also be ground in place. This is also known as the “single slab effect”, and is meant to eliminate all height variances between slabs, tiles or mosaics. In all cases, it is imperative this work is done early in a renovation, before cabinets and baseboards are installed, as this allows us to grind right to the edges of all areas. We would be present during the installation phase, and work with your installer to discuss joining material options and other details of the installation. We then visit at the end of the project before occupancy to perform any repairs or touch ups needed as well as to apply sealer once more. 

Specialty Cleaning

• Wax stripping
• Hard water removal
• Oil removal

Read More
We have experience removing: topical coatings (wax), oil stains, hard water stains, grout haze and more. We generally aim to use mechanical processes or low VOC cleaners before resorting to harsh chemicals. 

In nearly all cases, once a wax or topical coating is removed, we will opt for a mechanical finish followed by a penetrating, recoatable sealer instead of applying a new topical product. This eliminates any stripping in the future, allowing for less invasive regular maintenance.

With aggregate floors such asterrazzo, we again do not apply new floor wax or "floor finish". We instead smoothen the aggregate to a finish of your choice depending on the aesthetic you desire and the expected traffic. 

If you have a tough stain you'd like us to look at, get in touch.
Contact Us

Services

We aim to provide clean, dust free restoration services in your home or business, and take great pride in the mastery of our craft. Below is a rough outline covering most of the stone care services we offer. 

Marble Polishing

• Floor polishing
• Scratch & etch repair
• Wide range of finishes
Read More
Over time all marble floors will show signs of wear, including dullness and light scratches, particularly in high traffic areas such as hallways or lobbies. If a floor is maintained regularly, most wear patterns and light scratches can be fixed with a one-step polishing process. However, if a floor becomes heavily damaged, it is necessary to grind into the surface of the stone before restoring to the desired finish. 

Restoration typically involves first assessing the damage of the floor or countertop, and deciding how aggressively we must grind it in order to get past the depth of the damage. Usually three stages of grinding are required, consisting of consecutively smoother diamond abrasive pads before moving on to polishing. Depending on the type of stone, polishing consists of two to four passess over each area. 

Our polishing compounds are non acidic, and allow the material to "breath", reduces damage caused by moisture being trapped within the stone which can cause it to degrade or flake. Once polished, the floor is washed with a neutral cleaner, allowed to dry and sealed with a high quality, solvent based penetrating sealer. The sealers we use are non topical, and have no effect on the finish of the material, they simply prevent absorption of contaminants into the substrate of the stone. 

Marble Honing

• Low maintenance
• Modern aesthetic
• Soft to the touch
Read More
Marble, limestone or other calcite based materials are very susceptible to etching/acid staining, which result in dull marks (usually rings or dots). These dull marks contrast greatly with the surrounding polished surface, and require regular maintenance to keep the surface free of etches and looking sharp. A common solution to this problem is to convert the material to honed finish. Since a honed finish is already dull, visibility of etches is greatly reduced. Honed marble in general has become very popular for both its aesthetic and maintenance properties. Over time honed marble will wear much more evenly than polished marble. When converting to a honed finish, the initial work is more labour intensive than typical maintenance, as all edges and profiles need to be sanded evenly and usually by hand. Once converted however, localized repairs are fairly easy to manage.

Countertops are usually the best candidates for conversion, whereas floors are typically given a patina finish. The type of stone, it's density and its resistance to acids will inform which finish is best.

It's important to mention that we only perform mechanical honing, as opposed to chemical honing. Chemical honing requires the use of acids to dull the surface, which is very easy to perform from a labour perspective, but comes with the unfortunate side effect of pitting and opening the pores of the stone. Ultimately the acids used are taking advantage of the inherent vulnerability of the stone, and not an appropriate treatment in our experience. One nasty side effect of chemical honing only shows up if the material is later polished, as the pits left in the stone by the acid will be present in the polish. Needless to say, we've abandoned any chemical treatments to provide higher quality long term results. Our approach of mechanical honing allows for a very controlled grinding of the surface, and does not leave pits or roughness in the material nor weaken the bonds in the substrate of the stone.

Stone Repair

• Chip & crack repair
• On-site colour matching
• Long lasting results
Read More
Cracks and chips in natural stone may occur over time, caused by any number of factors, from structural movement to accidental damage. We use high quality epoxy resins that are colour matched on-site to repair the damaged areas. Our epoxy repairs are typically ground, leveled, and re-surfaced to match the surrounding stone. Our goal is to make repairs permanent and long lasting, as well as absolutely invisible to anyone who was unaware of the initial damage.

The first step of a chip or crack repair involves cleaning the area with solvents to remove grease and dirt. This is followed by profiling the edges or interior of the damaged section with a rotary tool, this ensures the section has the required depth and "tooth" for the epoxy to adequately bond, and promotes longevity of the repair. 

With regards to colour matching, our ability to match both the colour and transparency of your natural stone is unparalleled. All technicians have intermediate training in colour theory, and most have artistic or creative experience and training outside of work.

Granite & Quartzite

• Natural Quartzite
• Scratch and wear repair
• Touch up repair
Read More
Granite and natural quartzite are orders of magnitude harder and denser than marble and limestone. These materials require specialized individual treatment based on their type. Varibles such as which diamond abrasives are used, the number of smoothening steps, the pressure applied at each stage of grinding, as well as the polishing compounds and pads used during the process must be adapted to the specific granite or quartzite being treated. We are very experienced not only in treating common varieties of granite, but also some of the most challenging natural quartzites being imported as of the last few years. We've been called in to deal with several natural quartzite projects our competitors have been unable to restore, and have yet to be left with an unsatisfied client. We can fully grind and restore your granite and quartzite or avoid grinding and rejuvenate the polish depending on its condition. If possible, we will suggest single step polishing as a budget friendly alternative to complete restoration. 

If you have any questions regarding selection of natural quartzite or granite, we are happy to offer our insight on the many varieties we've encountered. Our advice regarding how these materials hold up in the long term is something your marble fabricator usually can't offer. 

Shower & Bath

• Marble shower cleaning
• Mould removal
• Silicone replacement
Read More
Mould and mildew thrive in showers due to the heat and dampness brought about by daily use. Due to the sensitivity of most natural stone, harsh cleaners cannot be used, allowing hard water and soap mildew to quickly build up. Our solution is to avoid any acids or harsh cleaners and instead mechanically clean your stone surfaces. Steam or alkaline cleaners are used to sanitize the space. Failed silicone is removed and replaced with mildew-resistant silicone designed specifically for use on natural stone. Once restored, the sealer and silicone will prevent water absorption and prolong the life of your stone. Please see our stone care guide for tips on maintaining your natural stone shower.

Stone Sealing

• Penetrating sealers
• Clear or enhancing
• Food safe
Read More
Natural stone is often installed without sealer. If left unsealed, water will darken stone temporarily, while oil and other food products can cause permanent discoloration. It is recommended that stone in high traffic areas is cleaned and re-sealed every 2-3 years. Daily use showers may need to be sealed more often.

We offer both transparent and colour-enhancing sealers. Transparent sealer will not change the appearance of the stone and is usually used with polished stone. Colour-enhancer achieves a wet-look/darker finish. It is usually used on dark honed marble, as a low-maintenance alternative to a polished finish.

Grout Cleaning

• Stain removal
• Tumbled marble
• Grout sealing
Read More
We typically manage our grout cleaning during the grinding and resurfacing stages of our restoration process. Materials installed with very wide grout joints or with substantial naturally occurring holes will require more direct treatment. Tumbled Travertine in particular can become very dirty as it has been purposefully left with wide joints of sanded grout, and has many low lying holes throughout the edges and centers of the tiles. With these materials, we typically isolate the grout cleaning stage by machine scrubbing the grout with either degreasers or neutral cleaners before moving on to treating the actual surface of the stone. Once dry, we heavily seal both the natural stone and the grout to prevent stains from penetrating and make future cleaning easier.

Mitres & Lippage

• Smooth seams
• Single slab effect
• Lippage removal
Read More
The most prestigious installations involve very large bookmatched slabs, cut and installed to follow the natural veining found in the quarry where the stone blocks were originally sourced. We come in after the installers to blend these slabs together. We mix a colour matched epoxy and fill both flat seams and mitred joints. The corners are sanded smooth to the touch, and polished or honed to match the slab finishes. This type of work is usually seen in large slabbed stone fireplaces or wall features, but occasionally entire walls, floors and ceilings are installed in this manner.  

Besides mitres, floors can also be ground in place. This is also known as the “single slab effect”, and is meant to eliminate all height variances between slabs, tiles or mosaics. In all cases, it is imperative this work is done early in a renovation, before cabinets and baseboards are installed, as this allows us to grind right to the edges of all areas. We would be present during the installation phase, and work with your installer to discuss joining material options and other details of the installation. We then visit at the end of the project before occupancy to perform any repairs or touch ups needed as well as to apply sealer once more. 

Specialty Cleaning

• Wax stripping
• Hard water removal
• Oil removal
Read More
We have experience removing: topical coatings (wax), oil stains, hard water stains, grout haze and more. We generally aim to use mechanical processes or low VOC cleaners before resorting to harsh chemicals. 

In nearly all cases, once a wax or topical coating is removed, we will opt for a mechanical finish followed by a penetrating, recoatable sealer instead of applying a new topical product. This eliminates any stripping in the future, allowing for less invasive regular maintenance.

With aggregate floors such as terrazzo, we again do not apply new floor wax or "floor finish". We instead smoothen the aggregate to a finish of your choice depending on the aesthetic you desire and the expected traffic. 

If you have a tough stain you'd like us to look at, get in touch. 
Intex Surface Solutions Logo
INTEX SURFACE SOLUTIONS
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INTEX SURFACE SOLUTIONS
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