Slippery Rock Gazette

Tom  McNall

Floor Restoration Contributor

BEING in the world of stone for so long has taught me exactly what type of stone to have in each location around my home.  However, I do benefit monetarily from the architects and designers who do not choose the correct stone for the appropriate situation in their customer’s homes and businesses.  And while I do champion Napoleon’s words, “Never interrupt your enemy while he is making a mistake,” I cannot help but want to encourage these blueprint wizards to learn more about the products they recommend as coverings and where to place them properly.

Particularly to the point, in the last 2 weeks, we have “en-countered” 2 separate marble kitchen tops and islands–one polished and one honed–both requiring extensive restoration.  Previous to this parable, the home of the polished top was built by a contractor who has chosen polished marble tops in several of his home’s kitchens.  We have serviced three of these home’s countertops in the last 6 months.   Herein lies my perplexing problem: do I purge my profit by proposing that this particular purchaser peruse another product of stone for his kitchens (Say that fast 5 times)? Or do I encourage him to continue in the same manner?  And why is marble not a good choice for a kitchen?

First of all, marble is a calcium-based stone.  As such, it is truly a beautiful product with many options of color. However, it is very susceptible to corrosion and etching at the hands of acids.  What is the likelihood of acids being in a kitchen? Well… anything that includes vinegar for one.  So anything pickled, mustard and several salad dressings cannot be used on the counter or island unless you want it to be dulled.  Coffee is also acidic, so that is out as well. Anything with tomatoes or citric acid will also eat away at the surface of the stone, as will wine. Oh yes, and soft drinks can be highly acidic as well. So what is left?  Well, I can safely say that water is about your safest product on your marble island/counter top.  

Now, if your customer is ok with a spotty, etched-looking counter top, then we can pull a Charlie Sheen and say, “Winning!”

When it comes to marble vanity tops in an ensuite or bathroom, there are less acidic items laying around, but caution still needs to be taken to prevent unwanted corrosion. Some toothpastes can be acidic as are some perfumes, colognes, deodorants and even hairspray.  Reading the label on these products and recommending that the customer be careful in their use will score you big points for repeat business.

However, looking at the situation from a win-win frame of mind, I prefer to help educate the designers and architects BEFORE the situation gets ugly. And unlike the Napoleonic quote above, I view designers and architects as my allies as opposed to enemies.  I try to be helpful and friendly with them, offering information on stone as well as pointing them to AIA Certified courses (where they can get needed learning credits) at MIA sponsored events. In this way they can see for themselves the benefits of recommending the proper stone for the proper location.

Now when helping their clients design their “space,” architects can speak with conviction as to why “this particular marble, while beautiful, it is not best suited for this particular situation.  However, THIS granite here is and, if we pay a little more (notice the up-sell), we can get a slab with that gold veining that you wanted.” See how easy that is?  

In most cases where I have seen customers with etched marble island tops, the consumer always wanted the veining and color options of marble. Only afterwards did the buyer’s remorse set in and they realize that although pretty, and color-matching of the home’s décor, this particular stone was going to be more high maintenance than a trophy wife with a purse dog. Unfortunately, most end users come to this realization when they see how much it costs to re-surface the island in their home.  And the lighter-walleted customer is eventually left saying, “if only the sales person told us about our options with granite beforehand…”

It is this initiative that my company takes in harmony with the MIA to help educate consumers and their advisors beforehand of the many sensible options that are available when it comes to stone.  And eventually we can turn the “if-onlys” into “We-love-its.” Because my philosophy has always been, if an end user is happy with their stone purchase, they WILL buy more. And the more I showed that I was concerned for their long term happiness, the more stone my children and their children will have to restore down the road. 

Until next month, keep your stick on the ice.

Tom McNall is founder and owner of Great Northern Stone, an Ontario-based stone cleaning and restoration company servicing Ontario and Chicago, IL. Tom also offers corporate and private consultations as well as speaking at conventions. He can be reached at stone_rx@earthlink.net.