White Winter and Outdoor Marble
It is winter, and you are wearing a coat and hat to protect your skin and hair from the cold weather and snow. You collect wood for the fireplace or prepare modern heating systems. But what about your precious outdoor marble surface? Marble stones are so beautiful and charming that many people like to make the most of them and decorate both inside and outside their living environment. So should we protect them in harsh cold weather?
Is Cold Winter and Snow Hazardous for Outdoor Marble?
First, let’s take a look at the delicate and beautiful structure of natural marble. One of the signs of natural stones, especially marble, is the veins and lines on them. Sometimes these lines are so prominent and thick that you can touch them well with your fingertips. In winter, snow and water can penetrate the marble and trap between these lines and cause cracks or chips as the air temperature goes from warm to cold. This phenomenon is called freeze-thaw or frost. Freeze-thaw can sometimes crack surface like concrete, let alone delicate marbles. But some marbles are more vulnerable, and this depends on the degree of porosity of the stone. It is clear that the higher the porosity of the marble, the higher risk of frost damage to the outdoor marble.
How Can We Protect Outdoor Marble from Winter?
Maybe some people are aware of the vulnerabilities of outdoor marbles, but they do not know the solutions. Fortunately, the answer to maintaining outdoor marble is simple. In the first step, you must remember that chemicals used to melt snow or ice can damage your marble surface. A simple substance such as salt can corrode the feeling of natural stone. Moreover, some deicing products can cause discoloration or stains of the natural marble. The second step is to use sealers, but be sure to leave this to safe hands and experts because inadequate sealing can only damage the marble itself. A splendid marble needs to breathe well; however, a lousy sealer can stop marble from breathing.
The Slippery Surface of Snow and Marble
Suppose you are worried about slipping on your marble surface during winter. In that case, it is recommended that you shovel snow and ice on your exterior instead of using salt and other materials. Another solution suggested by experts is to cover the marble with carpet or doormats, especially for some marble that is already very slippery. During cold and snowy days, you can use beautiful and decorative pads on the stairs or marble path in the middle of your yard. Thanks to the forecast, you can only cover your marble with carpets on snowy days, especially if you do not want the surface to be constantly covered in winter.
We said more about marbles laid on the ground; however, you can use some solutions like sealing for your wall tile. In general, remember that natural stones, especially marble, are delicate and need care and attention.
