Natural stone has been a cornerstone of architecture and design for centuries. From the limestone and granite pyramids of Egypt to the marble masterpieces of ancient Greece, its beauty and durability have stood the test of time. When properly installed and maintained, natural stone can last for generations.
Like any surface, however, stone requires care. Daily wear, stains and etching can dull its appearance over time. That's where Lifetime Stone Restoration comes in. Rather than replacing costly stone, owner Don Mlnarik restores marble, granite, limestone and other natural surfaces to their original beauty - saving homeowners the expense, mess and time of replacement.
Common Stone Problems
Mlnarik began restoring stone 18 years ago while working a corporate job.
"I wanted to be in a service industry - helping people and making things look better," he smiles. "I also wanted to do something better for the environment, like restoring, cleaning and repairing, rather than discarding in a landfill."
After completing formal stone-restoration training, Mlnarik spent five years preparing to leave his corporate job. During that time, he tiled half his garage with natural stones and practiced restoring them before he started accepting restoration jobs on nights and weekends. For the past 13 years, he has been restoring stone full-time.
With the help of a part-time assistant, Mlnarik completes commercial and residential restoration projects, with 95 percent of his work being residential. Although he enjoys repairing exterior travertine patios or bluestone pool surrounds, most of the work he completes is inside a home - fixing countertops, wall tile and flooring.
Common problems Mlnarik tackles with counters are hard-water mineral deposits around fixtures and sinks, leading to dull stone and chipped granite. Even large chips can be repaired, he points out.
"I just repaired a chip in a granite countertop," he recalls. "It's a quick fix: I rebuild the granite, repolish it, then blend it with the rest of the surface."
Hard-water mineral deposits on a countertop are fixable with Lifetime Stone Restoration as well.
"It's difficult for a homeowner to actually clean hard-water deposits off," Mlnarik emphasizes. "I have specialized pads and a chemical that removes mineral deposits, then I repolish the stone, so it looks brand new."
Natural stone showers are beautiful but can be challenging to maintain. Lifetime Stone Restoration removes soap scum, hard water stains and mildew, while also re-caulking corners and resealing grout and stone to restore showers to like-new condition.
Stone floors can become scratched, stained, worn or chipped over time. Mlnarik repairs damage, fills holes and restores surfaces to their original beauty. He can also change a stone's finish, transforming polished surfaces to matte - or matte to polished - to give existing stone an entirely new look.
Mlnarik points out if you notice pitting or cracking in granite, moisture can make its way inside and begin to eat away at it, causing a sort of delamination. In addition, water may be seeping into drywall or cabinetry, leading to more problems and expense. Despite the damage, Mlnarik says natural stone can still be repaired.
A typical countertop repair, shower restoration, stone floor polishing, cleaning and sealing takes Mlnarik on average one day or less to complete.
"A new stone project will require tear-out and rebuilding. Even if a contractor says they can do it in a couple of days, you have the expense of not only the new stone and install, but the tear-out and mess," Mlnarik states. "When we restore a counter or floor, you can use it the same day."
Natural Stone's Lasting Beauty
Older natural stone can become dull and dirty over time, but it's nothing a professional restoration can't fix, Mlnarik remarks. In the 1960s and '70s, it was common practice to pour urethane or shellac on natural stone to make it shine. These treatments can yellow the stone and are nearly impossible for homeowners to remove.
"We can strip all that off and clean the floor, then diamond restore to whatever finish the homeowner wants; a finish is like choosing paint: satin, gloss or matte," Mlnarik notes.
A recent client of Lifetime Stone Restoration can attest to the effectiveness of professionally cleaning existing stone.
"We purchased our 1960s home and the original marble entryway was an eyesore. We thought we'dhave to tear it out, which would have been cumbersome and costly," they recall. "We canned Don and he polished the marble back to its original luster, filled in cracked areas in the grout and gave me a grout colorant to return the grout to its original color. We love our entryway and get many compliments on the beautiful marble."
Mlnarik's preservation work around Omaha demonstrates just how long-lasting and beautiful natural stone can be. For example, he restored nine stories of terrazzo and marble flooring and stairs, including the lobby, of the Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown. Built in 1934 as the Omaha Federal Building, the historic building retains much of its Art Deco character. Mlnarik also restored the original 1930s lobby flooring in Hotel Deco, which is part of Hilton's Tapestry Collection, hotels known for showcasing local charm through architecture and art.
Pride in Workmanship
Just as Mlnarik hoped when he began his stone-restoration journey, he's achieved his goal of preventing waste from entering landfills by restoring existing natural stone in homes and buildings. But, he says, it's the people who make his job worthwhile.
"I've had clients cry after they've seen how good their stone looks when we are done. I love that," Mlnarik states. "Sometimes things just get away from people, especially when they are busy working, raising kids, or get up in age and have been in their house for 40 years. I'm happy to be of service."
Mlnarik says natural stone is always worth saving. Restoring it is less expensive, less time-consuming and less messy than starting over. With assistance from Lifetime Stone Restoration, homeowners can continue enjoying the beauty and durability of natural stone for years to come. To learn more, visit www.lifetimestone.com
"I've had clients cry after they've seen how good their stone looks when we are done. I love that."
"I wanted to do something better for the environment, like restoring, cleaning and repairing, rather than discarding it in a landfill."