5 Key Things To Consider

The rugged beauty of natural stone is hard to overlook. Yet there’s a line between ‘natural’ and ‘not looking its best’… such materials are prone to degradation over time as they are subjected to wear and tear.

When you find cracks, chips or a dulled aesthetic, it’s important to get your stone remedied by the experts. But the question is: how do you identify them? What are the core signs of a great stonemason?

Let us shed some light on what a stonemason should demonstrate before you hire them for a touch up:

1. Ask for a portfolio of past work

Stonework is a something of an art. As such, the best way to judge the expertise of a stonemason is to see what they’ve done in the past. Take a look around their website to view previous restoration work and get a feel for how they might approach your own project.

2. Question the extent and means of their detail

Corrective stonemasonry can be realised in all sorts of ways. It’ll depend, largely, on the extent of the damage, and what kind of stone it’s afflicting. So it’s crucial to avoid a broad, catch-all strategy for every stone restoration.

How, for instance, can a geological colour be matched when filling cracks across a granite tile? What produces a grainy/glossy effect close to the stone’s original condition? Don’t be afraid to ask whatever will tease out a specialist’s methods and commitment to detail.

3. Gauge their sense of professionalism

That word – ‘professional’ – is tossed about liberally, but it shouldn’t be a matter of assumption. Raise the bar a little higher for any self-professed stone expert, and test their claims against a few criteria. One of them might be timekeeping: are they easy to talk to at a promised hour of the day? Do they have adequate insurance in case something goes wrong? A little due diligence can go a long way.

4. Find those who can clean up after themselves

As you might expect, stone restoration is a very messy job. Depending on the scenario, you could be facing showers of dislodged dust, or stone chips flying across the floor. A commendable team must take care of the environment they’re in. Everything should be pristine and spotless when they leave, as if no-one’s even been there.

5. Ensure the results are future-proofed

Natural stone has taken millennia to reach your kitchen, bathroom or hallway. For that reason, most people assume it’s impossible to harm – but you know better! We therefore suggest a firm, honest talk with your restoration partner about how the long-term condition of the stone will be assured. That may involve sealants, cloths and special cleaning agents, with plans for you to maintain the upkeep.

Have we restored your confidence that any stone issue – however extreme it is – can be fixed with the right team? That’s us, by the way: contact RC Coppin for natural stone repair and refurbishment, bringing your style back to rock solid standards…