Home Improvement DIY

Limestone is a wonderful flooring material which is ideal if you are looking for something natural and of quality.  Limestone tiles can be laid in many rooms in the house including the bathroom, kitchen and bedrooms.  It is a sedimentary rock which 50% of calcite or calcium carbonate mixed in with fish bones, sea shells, fossils and even dinosaur bones.

Limestone is typically much softer than other types of stone such as granite however there are some varieties which are stronger and denser.  Although limestone floor tiles can last many many years, it’s very important that you take the time to care for them via washing, sealing, protecting and waxing.

Limestone tiles are very delicate and need to be treated with care when sealing.  If you apply a thick varnish or laquer you will change the appearance of the stone.  And not in a good way.  Therefore when sealing limestone, make sure you use impregnating oil which will soak into the stone whilst avoiding any major change in appearance.  You will also want to use a product which will act as a barrier to oil and water-based stains.  There are a number of products on the marker to choose from including Staintop and Lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator.

Remember, if you do accidentally spill anything onto limestone tiles, make sure you wipe up straight away.  Following these guidelines should be fine for tiles which are either dense of don’t get too much wear.

Because limestone is a natural product, you will find that they tend to have a textured surface which allows dirt to gather over the years.  If you have limestone tiles laid in an area where it suffers from plenty of wear and tear, it’s advisable to apply an extra coat of sealer.  Lithofin’s Care Seal is water based which allows you to re-apply it in areas which get a lot of traffic.

For stone which is either softer or more textured (e.g travertine or Cotswold), a layer of stone wax should do the trick.  When cleaning limestone make sure you buy one which is neutral in colour, for instance Easycare.

If you have just received your limestone tiles from the supplier, make sure you allow them to dry out before installing them.

By following the advice above you should be able to care for your limestone tiles without too much fuss.  If you are at all unsure, ask either the shop you are buying from or the manufacturer of the product.

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