Article: Sealing Natural Stone

The sealing of stone is quite different to sealing other floor types. When sealing wooden floors for example a protective coat is added to the outside. When sealing stone the pores in the rock , or the spaces between the crystals that make up the rock are filled with the sealant with no trace of the sealant on the outer surface.The purpose of this process is to stop liquids seeping into the stone and staining it. A sealant does not protect the stone from physical damage as a sealant on another surface would..So what is the best sealant to use?Natural stone must be allowed to breathe. What does this mean, because stone does not breathe like we do. Stone is made up of a variety of crystals. Each crystal is made up of different minerals. The minerals that make up the crystallised structure of the stone determine whether it is marble, or limestone or granite. To maintain the integrity of these crystals they must interact with the air and the component parts of the air in particular the oxygen. Hence they must be allowed to breathe. It is also essential that any water that gets into the stone is able to evaporate by moving through these spaces until it reaches the surface and can evaporate.Most importantly and a little considered aspect of stone structure is the interaction between the crystals of the stone and the many millions of bacteria that live in these pores. Very slowly research is demonstrating that bacteria would seem to play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the stone in ways that are as yet little understood. In order for these bacteria to survive and prosper the sealant used should be one that does not damage them but possibly promotes their activity.Acrylic type sealants or impregnators should be avoided at all costs because they fill up the pores killing the bacteria and blocking completely the movement of water through the stone. This can ultimately lead to the stones cracking if the underside becomes wet for any reason. They are also very difficult to remove if excess sealant is applied and not properly removed whilst still wet. What you end up with is a covering of sealant on the surface of the stone which discolours and dulls it.The best sealers to use are those based on natural products and made up of fatty acids such as soap. These can be applied in the normal cleaning process to top up the seal and clean at the same time.Rosetta Stone Software Rosetta Stone Spanish Rosetta Stone German Rosetta Stone Italian Rosetta Stone French Rosetta Stone English Rosetta Stone Chinese Rosetta Stone Korean Rosetta Stone Arabic Rosetta Stone Japanese Rosetta Stone Portuguese Any excess is washed off with pure water. Most importantly these fatty acids fill the spaces but not in a rock hard manner. Because fat is hydrophobic it repels water stopping it penetrating during any spillage so preventing absorption into the stone and subsequent staining. Being semi hard only it does not stop the natural movement of water through it so it can still escape by evaporation. Most importantly it encourages the bacterial population by providing another source of nutrient and a comfortable environment in which to live and reproduce.

Article: How to Do a Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone therapy has fast become a favorite in massage spas and amongst massage professionals. Hot stone massage involves the use of stones during a massage therapy to determine the problem areas of a client and to aid in effective therapy. These stones are usually made of basalt although some other stones such as marble can be used in a hot stone massage therapy.However, use of hot stone to massage requires some form of expertise as too much pressure can make it very uncomfortable for the client.When giving a hot stone massage, preparation is very essential. You need to prepare the materials you will use, prepare the stones themselves, prepare the massage table and also prepare your client. Whether you are stationary like in a spa, or you are travel to give massages, the heating source for the stones is a very important consideration. There are heating pans that are sold particularly for heating the stones. If you have a stove, that could also work.In preparing the stones, you need to give thought to what kind of stone you want to use and how many. The number of stones you will use in a hot stone massage vary and would usually dependent on the technique you want to use. The more stones you have, the less need to reheat the stones as you can just replace a cold stone for warmer one.The next would be your choice of massage oil. There is a great variety of essential oils that are used in massage techniques. You could either choose a blend or a single essential oil for your hot stone massage. These come in handy if you are incorporating elements of aromatherapy into your hot stone massage.Get the massage table ready for the client by placing a nice linen sheet on it. If you want to go the extra mile, you could heat up the sheets so that they are warm and toasty.When working with the stones, the following steps should help you.1. Focus on the lower back area, the spine in the middle of the back and the shoulder blades. Line the stones up in pairs on the massage table, just where the client’s body would be positioned. The stones should not be touching the spine; instead they should be on either side of the spine. If you submerged the stones in water during the heating process, be sure to blot them before placing them on the massage table.2. Gently lie your client on the stones, back down. Then place some more stones on the neck and chest before covering with a sheet.3. The next step would be to massage a light coat of oil on the client. As you massage each area, starting from the head, place tiny stones on that area.4.Rosetta Stone Software Rosetta Stone Spanish Rosetta Stone German Rosetta Stone Italian Rosetta Stone French Rosetta Stone English Rosetta Stone Chinese Rosetta Stone Korean Rosetta Stone Arabic Rosetta Stone Japanese Rosetta Stone Portuguese Don’t forget the hands and toes. Use stones that are proportionate in size.5. Undrape only the area of the body that you are working with and be sure to cover it up again once you are done massaging.Before you begin a hot stone massage, you should have some knowledge of massaging techniques as this is still basically a massage. Also make sure that you make use of quality materials and are professional. Hot stone massage is rapidly gaining popularity and having a good understanding of the techniques and steps will boost your business.

Article: Hot Stone Massage

How do you know which natural stone is the best stone? Before heading to the showroom to pick out your stone, consider these things to make sure you get the best stone for your project.Is the stone right for your project? While onyx and marbles are quite beautiful with their translucent colors, bright whites, and intense swirls and markings, think twice if you are putting in kitchen countertops. If you love to cook or have children, this isn't the best of combinations. These stones, as well as travertine are best saved for lighter trafficked areas.Granite and soapstone are both very durable natural stones and work wonderful for kitchen countertops. These will last many life times with heavy use in your kitchen. Think about how you will use the stone.Once you know the type of stone you are going to use, narrow down your color preferences. How do you choose a color or narrow it down? Look at color charts and samples to get a feel for what you like. When you're out and about, pay attention to what others have done with color. Think about what color makes you feel good.Do you like dark stones? The darker stones tend to be harder, and shinier with less chance of staining or discoloring. They also need to be sealed less frequently, if even at all! But, they tend to show fingerprints and dust more readily. If you have a smaller kitchen, a dark stone may make your kitchen appear smaller.If you love the look of lighter colored stones, they will expand a small room and make it seem larger. Dust and fingerprints aren't so apparent. But, lighter stones are more apt to stain and they need to be sealed more frequently.Look at the different patterns... solids, swirls, dots. There are so many to choose from, you're bound to find one that's totally you. Other than choosing the right type of stone for your project, color is important. You will look at it every day. Go with the look and color you love. Take your time.Think about the thickness of your stone. A 3/4 inch stone is best suited for vertical wall applications and fireplace surrounds while 1 1/4 is preferable for countertops.Have you thought about your surface finish? I prefer polished for its shine, ease of care, and maintenance but I know it's not for everyone. If you don't like a shiny look, a honed finish may be for you. This matted surface does take a little more maintenance and care and it's more susceptible to stains and aluminum markings.A flamed or brushed finish still has a shine but it is more dimpled or rough to the touch giving your stone a natural look. This finish isn't a great choice for countertops because of the textured surface. It will be harder to clean. Ask your fabricator about the pros and cons of different finishes for your project before heading out to look at stone. Then, make the appropriate selection.Your fabricator will tell you how much stone you need, as in how many slabs. Do you know What size slabs you want or need? This is so you are able to minimize your seams. Slabs of different stones come in many different sizes. Since stone is a natural product, there is no such thing as "one size fits all". If your countertop is 100 inches long and the slab is only 80 inches long, you will have a seam.Rosetta Stone Software Rosetta Stone Spanish Rosetta Stone German Rosetta Stone Italian Rosetta Stone French Rosetta Stone English Rosetta Stone Chinese Rosetta Stone Korean Rosetta Stone Arabic Rosetta Stone Japanese Rosetta Stone Portuguese With this information in hand, you're off to the stone yard/showroom.