UNDERSTANDING PH BALANCES

PH is a unit of measure to determine the alkalinity and acidity of a

solution. PH has been defined as either the "Power of Hydrogen" or

"Pre-existing Hydrogen." It is rated on a scale of 1 to 14. 1 to 6.5

being acidic (Hydrogen) and 7.5 to 14 being an alkali (Hydroxide). 7

being neutral.

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ACIDS: NEUTRAL: ALKALIS:

Acid Bowl Cleaners Marbalex Strippers

Vinegar Marbamist Degreasers

Most Fruit Juices Marbadan Ammonia

Alcoholic beverages Stone Quest Most all purpose

Many household and household cleaners. bathroom cleaners. Dirt and soil

Many natural stones.

Most stones used today are sensitive to both acidic and alkali cleaners.

One reason is due to the fact that most stones are classified as

hydroxides which classifies them as natural alkalis. Acids will burn

most stones by dissolving the bonding agents that keep them together.

Alkalis usually do not damage stone as quickly, however, they will cause

deterioration.

The corrosiveness of acids cannot always be measured with the pH scale.

In most instances, the lower the pH number the stronger the acid. A

solution with a pH level of 1 is usually stronger than a solution with a

pH of 4. However, there are some acids with a higher pH that are

stronger than an acid with a lower pH.

On the alkali side, the higher the pH number the stronger the alkali

should be. A solution with a pH balance of 12 is usually stronger than a

solution with a pH of 9. When using an alkali cleaner, never use hot

water because it may create a stronger alkali reaction with adverse

affects.

Understanding pH balances will help select the proper chemicals that can

be used on stone. However, a main factor to remember when selecting a

stone maintenance chemical is the activity level. For example, most

neutral cleaners have a pH balance of 7; however, some neutral cleaners

are stronger than others because they have higher activity levels. There

are many neutral cleaners that are not active enough to thoroughly clean

a stone's porous surface. There are also an abundance of neutral

cleaners that are too active for stone to endure.

Many neutral cleaners have high activity levels that

are corrosive to many stone surfaces. The neutral products have

suitable activity levels that are safe on all stone surfaces, if used

properly. UNDERSTANDING THE STONE MAINTENANCE CYCLE