Stone Informational Addendum

The utilization of  natural stone specimens in residential or commercial applications  present some natural and distinct problems.  Different types of stones  are susceptible to damage by natural and man made hazards.  The  following information is meant to keep you informed as to the problems  that can and do occur with your stone type even with introduction of  preservation.  Your stone classification has been checked for your easy  reference.  Please read it carefully for your protection.

Shale Stone
Shale stone is formed when mud like substances are compressed and then dried  over a long period of time.  This formation is subject to disintegration by a simple excess of moisture by a positive or negative side  influence.  This means that this category of stone has the possibility  of reverting back to its original form of mud.


Sandstone
Sandstone is formed when sand and an alkaline settling is formed under pressure  and joined at the uppermost surface of the earth.  The simplistic result is glued sand particles that form stone.  This alkaline "glueâ€￿ is  subject to acid attack.  This can come from the ground soils or can come from being acid washed or being next to an acidic source like a  swimming pool or the spilling of sodas, wine, coffee, champagne, etc.   When this attack occurs the stone will revert back to its natural  state…sand.


Slate
Slate is formed when wide ranges  of minerals are compressed in layers near the earths’ surface over  time.  Though somewhat similar in formation to sandstone, these layers  are distinct and time marked.  Due to this type of formation, slate is  prone to "cleft plane spalling”  which is a process where layers  separate from the main stone body.  Combined with the soft character of  slate, these layers can be separated by walking on the surface, dropping or moving items over the surface or excessive moisture presence.  Due  to its’ soft nature, slate is also prone to scratching.


Flagstone
Flagstone is formed when minerals and chemicals are compressed just beneath the  earths surface.  Flagstone is quarried and split to be placed into  pallets for shipping.  Different types of flagstone have varying  strengths depending on their mineral makeup.  Flagstone "shales” like  slate, but not nearly as much.  It is an absorbent stone and will  separate if exposed to high moisture, but some shaling is natural to  this stone.


Limestone
Limestone is formed when sea  beds dry up in layers over time which results in the decay of aquatic  organisms.  This sedimentation process over time and intense pressure  yields limestone.  Limestone is basically calcium carbonate which is a  pure form of a very soft alkali.  When this stone is exposed to acids  ie; the spilling of sodas, wine, coffee, champagne, etc. the resultant  condition is a etch mark that needs to be polished to be removed.   Repeated acid or high moisture attack can result in permanent and  irreversible stone damage and color change.  This stone class can  scratch easily under normal wear.


Travertine
Travertine is formed during the metamorphic change from a limestone like state to a marble.  The result is a marble that is characterized by holes within  its structure.  These holes are filled at the quarry, but do tend to pop out over time and will need to be repaired.  The stone is also  susceptible to acid attack ie; the spilling of sodas, wine, coffee,  champagne, etc.  The result of such an attack will leave deep burn  "etchâ€￿ marks that will require mechanical removal.


Marble
Marble is formed when the metamorphic change has been completed from limestone to travertine to marble.  The same minerals are present throughout the  three stones except marble is exposed to much greater time and pressure  than the others.  Marble can be soft and prone to easy scratches. The  stone is also susceptible to acid attack ie; the spilling of sodas,  wine, coffee, champagne, etc.  The result of such an attack will leave  deep burn "etch” marks that will require mechanical removal.


Granite
Granite is formed when a quartz structure has hot magma extruded between it  under intense pressure and heat.  Granite, though incredibly hard, can  fracture when struck by a hard or sharp object.  It will also naturally  absorb oils which can and will change the color of the stone.


Quartzite
Quartzite is formed when quartz structures of sandstone are subjected to intense  heat which eliminates the impurities found in sandstone which joins the  crystalline structures into one pure formation.  This metamorphic  process creates one incredibly hard structure whos’ primary enemy is  man.  Quartzite is primarily hydrophobic, but does take in organic and  inorganic hydrocarbon based materials which subject the stone to  staining.  The mica portion of the stone does tend to flake in very  small, 2mm, areas and does not generally weaken the stone.



This information has been provided to you by AER, Inc. to assist you in  keeping better informed about the surfaces you will or already have on  your property.  After 16 years of professional masonry restoration and  preservation experience we have learned that open communication and a  clear understanding of surface limitations with our clients is the best  foundation to a lasting professional relationship.  We would welcome any specific questions regarding your stone and we pride ourselves on  always being an accessible resource for all of our clients. 

Information provided by American Environmental Recovery, Orange County 714-891-4009