Why write about Basalt stone this week?
First: Basalt is a durable material that can be used in buildings and in homes.
Second: In my recent travels this year, I’ve encountered a lot of naturally formed basalt, from Portland’s Multnomah Falls to Hawaii’s Waikapala’e and Waikanaloa Caves. Needless to say, it’s a pretty cool and unique stone.
So what is Basalt exactly? It is an igneous and volcanic rock formed when basaltic lava is exposed on the surface of the planet (think of a volcano erupting and lava oozing) that cools very quickly and hardens into rock. Basalt is often compared to granite since both stones are igneous rocks. Both of these stones mostly do not contain calcium carbonate and typically do not react to acids. It is this bit of information that makes basalt a great choice for installations in homes and buildings – easy maintenance!
Speaking of maintenance, here are our recommendations to keep your basalt stone floor or countertop looking its best:
Clean regularly with neutral cleaners such as Lavenet. For kitchen or bathroom countertops, I recommend Akemi Crystal Clean to prevent calcium build up around sinks.
Since honed basalt stone can tend to be porous. I recommend sealing annually with an impregnator (penetrating) sealer such as Seal & Go® S.
Home owners: you would need to restore basalt as needed. Very worn and/or damaged surfaces will require restoration rather than standard cleaning, so give International Stoneworks a call if you need our services.
Building property managers: I highly recommend professional yearly maintenance of the traffic areas (floors and stairs).
Restoration and maintenance can include a deep scrub cleaning and annual sealing. If the basalt is worn, we can hone and polish the basalt with diamond abrasives.
If you see dark stains on the basalt surface, we can attempt to remove these stains with a poulticing system to draw out the dark color.
Basalt is a distinctive stone that can be easily cared for. It is a great option for tops in your home as well as lobby floors.
…And who wouldn’t want a stone countertop or floor that is made from the lava of a volcano!
