Your fireplace is the heart of your home. But often your beautiful stone fireplace might accidently get stained or discoloured. This is usually a time to contact us. Please give us a call before you attempt to clean the fireplace on your own. Please be aware that the surfaces of stone and marble are easily damaged by household cleaners if they contain any acid. As a general rule, always test cleaning products on a small, inconspicuous area first and, if the surround is particularly old or valuable, take expert advice, especially when dealing with excessive soot deposits, red wine or rust stains. Please do not use sandpaper.
Candles on the fireplace hearth or surround can look pretty but avoid wax spillage as hot wax might penetrate the stone and the stains can be impossible to remove. Smoke stains could also become an issue over time. Especially if you have an open fire. Limestone and Sandstone fireplaces are most vulnerable to smoke stains.
Not only does a fireplace help keep your house warm and utility bills down in the winter, but it also serves as a focal point in the design of the house. Your fireplace should be safe and well maintained to avoid fires and other hazards, but it should also be beautiful and soothing.
A restored fireplace will also help raise the value of your home in case you ever decide to sell. A fireplace may be a make-or-break amenity for many buyers and if an existing fireplace is run down, unattractive, or doesn’t work, they may cross your house off the list.
If you have any concerns regarding the state of your fireplace then please contact us. We will be happy to visit your property and evaluate your concern before doing any restoration task.
Please be advised that in projects requiring renovating, modernising or upgrading your fireplace, kitchen worktop etc. with adding the new or extra stone pieces we will do whatever we can to match the stone colour to your existing pieces as close as possible. But please be aware that each slab of natural stone is unique so the new pieces might differ in shade or pattern due to the place of origin, different batch, stone age etc. Therefore we cannot guarantee an identical match. But we will always ask for your approval before commencing the required works and present you with stone samples or, in some cases, the pictures of the available stone slab.
Here are a few tips how to keep your fireplace clean and stain free:
Spillage
A spill should be cleaned up immediately by carefully blotting the spill with a paper towel or clean white rag. Do not wipe a spill as this may force a potential stain deeper into the surface of the fireplace stone. A neutral cleanser and cold water can then be used to clean the surface. A persistent stain may be treated with a chemical poultice (try it in the hidden spot first).
Cleaners
Do not use acidic or alkaline based products when cleaning stone as they may etch the surface. It is best to use a solution of warm water and mild detergent and a clean white cloth.
Plants
Even a sealed stone surface can get water damage so it is best not to place plants directly onto the stone.
Candles
It is very difficult to remove wax from the surface of cast stone so it is best to have a plate or other container under your candles to catch any dripping wax.
Smoke
Smoke can stain a cast stone surface so be careful with your fireplace ventilation system.
Food
Foods containing oils can stain cast stone so it is best to avoid placing food near the stone surface.
Drinks
Although liquid spills can generally be cleaned up without damage if caught early and blotted dry, it is best to prevent accidental spills by not placing cups or glasses containing liquid near fireplace surfaces.
Burnt Logs
You should exercise caution when pushing burning logs around in a wood burning fireplace as sparks can etch the surface of the stone when they land. Also, when cleaning the inside of your fireplace, always cover the stone surface to avoid unsightly soot stains.
Here at CM Graniteworks we can clean your fireplace and remove staining and discoloration. On your request we can also repaint the fireplace metal grate or polish the brass parts and repair any damage to stone structure.