Marble & stone restoration course - TilersForums.com

[Luxlux]

Has any one been on a marble and stone restoration course? If so where and was it any good?

 

[enduro]

I have loooked into it, but havent done the course. The one i looked at was www.marblemaster.com

 

[TilingLogistics]

Hi,

I started looking into these courses and virtually drew a complete blank in this Country. There are a few companies that run them in London but none seem to cover the whole spectrum.

I trained in Italy where I did several courses and then went on further training in Florida. I completed an advanced course earlier this year covering Granite and dark marbles in Philadelphia. There are no qualifications obtainable in this Country(which are recognised). I am currently trying to negotiate with TTA to try and establish some sort of government recognised course or qualification.

There was a certain school who looked at running a three day course but this IMO is a waste of time. I believe such a course should be at least two weeks in duration.

I will post more when i am able to.

Kev

 

[DHTiling]

cheers kev i look forward to hear more on this.................nice one...

 

[wetdec]

There is no course in the UK that doesnt in some way cost you money or have you ending up buying a machine. The simple reason is there isnt enough work, we are not like the USA where polished stone is big we are at the bottom of the pile with honed & unfilled travs etc. The next step for uk is the limestones then maybe the polished stones. The stone market in the uk hasnt really started in my opinion.

Yes there are restoration companies but they are stone restoration specialists predominantly not tiled floor ones. Tiled floor restoration is still considered a diy job because there isnt enough of a market to take it seriously.

Have a look here

 

[TilingLogistics]

There is no course in the UK that doesnt in some way cost you money or have you ending up buying a machine. The simple reason is there isnt enough work, we are not like the USA where polished stone is big we are at the bottom of the pile with honed & unfilled travs etc. The next step for uk is the limestones then maybe the polished stones. The stone market in the uk hasnt really started in my opinion.

Yes there are restoration companies but they are stone restoration specialists predominantly not tiled floor ones. Tiled floor restoration is still considered a diy job because there isnt enough of a market to take it seriously.

Have a look here

I agree with your post in principle. There is no course though in the UK worth its' salt that is free. All good courses cost money and yes it is true the two courses that are run on Grinding, Polishing and Honing expect you to buy a machine off them.

Kev

 

[lux stone]

Worth training if you want to be ahead of the game then eh?

 

[TilingLogistics]

One inherent problem with any course is that you can only be taught how to do something. Experience cannot be taught as most of you who have done a tiling course will understand. Think back to your first jobs and look at yourselves now.

The particular problem with any stone course is that there are so much Natural Stone out there it would be impossible to teach all of them on any course.

Wetdecs post stated that experience is the only route to this and he is absolutely correct. However, the principles can be taught and in my opinion this would take at least two weeks. In addition though it is very important that the potential candidate is "Au Fait" with natural stone formation and the differences between them. Another important factor is to have a very good understanding of sealers and the way they work.

I am off for a pint now so a bit more next time:yes:

Kev

 

[lux stone]

I'll give you a bell on Monday if that's ok with you. Have a good evening.

 

[Branty]

Hi.

Over the years I've seen guys polishing floors. It looks very rewarding. How did you all get into it?

 

[TilingLogistics]

Hi.

Over the years I've seen guys polishing floors. It looks very rewarding. How did you all get into it?

I relised that after a short time at fixing it wasn't for me. I then went into complete bathroom renovation and enjoyed that more.

Then I was asked if i could clean a nightclub floor after repalcing 38 tiles in it. Then I found my vocation and I have never looked back:yes:

Kev

 

[Branty]

I relised that after a short time at fixing it wasn't for me. I then went into complete bathroom renovation and enjoyed that more.

Then I was asked if i could clean a nightclub floor after repalcing 38 tiles in it. Then I found my vocation and I have never looked back:yes:

Kev

Nice one Kev.
What kind of stuff are you doing, wetdec seems to think there's not alot of work out there.

 

[wetdec]

If you concider the number of big spaces you see tiled in stone then it gives you an idea of how nuch work is in a justifiable traveling distance. Kitchens, sun rooms conservatories are home spaces, theses home spaces need to be in a pretty sorry state before Jo will get a pro in. What they do is go buy Liythofin, HG or some other cleaner, **** their nose up at 25 quid but do it themselves.

The pros who may find time to clean stone floors make their money sand blasting churches, replacing key stones or acid washing statues. The word Renovation is a big word and doesnt just mean scrubbing stone floors.

Hope this explains what I was meaning, its how I see it anyway

 

[Branty]

What about huge stone floors in Hotels, leisure centres, shopping centres etc......?

 

[wetdec]

I do a travertine foyer floor 30m in an apartment block in London I get called in around once in every 2 years. It takes 4 days to strip and seal it properly thats why it only gets done when absolutely necessary.

This is how hotels clubs think and the majority of hotels that have stone floors have limestone ones either nicely honed or polished (that are hard) so you can lenghthen the period between cleans to 4yrs no problem. These floors need experience as it can mean re-surfacing.

Shopping centres are done by their maintenance contractors, have you not seen the mess they make