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CHARACTERISTICS OF TRAVERTINE TILE
Travertine is a luxurious natural stone used in homes and businesses. Most of today’s travertine comes from Italy, Turkey, and Mexico. It is installed on flooring, showers, countertops, backsplashes, and other decorative surfaces.
Travertine is a form of limestone. It is a sedimentary rock formed by an accumulation of calcium carbonate and other minerals dissolving in ground water and deposited by rivers and natural springs on the earths surface. Over time, travertine transforms due to the heat in the earth’s core and water rising as the steam forms hot springs. The cooling process and minerals give travertine it’s unique variations and veining. The holes and texture in travertine are caused by sediment deposits, making it different in appearance from limestone.
Travertine is a calcium-based stone, sensitive to acidic products and can become dulled or etched by food, drink and certain cleaning products. Avoid any cleaning products that you would not use on your hands or are not specifically made for natural stone.
The hardness of travertine varies and comes in diverse finishes, from tumbled, honed, and polished to chiseled, filled and unfilled. In its natural state, travertine is porous with many visible natural holes, often filled with stone-fill material, resins, and epoxy from the factory. During this process, polishing powders tend to accumulate in the holes and pores of the stone and can make the initial clean-up difficult after installation. Because travertine is sensitive and has filled holes, this stone should be cleaned professionally in order to prevent unnecessary damage.
TUCSON TRAVERTINE TILE CLEANING PROFESSIONALS
Whether on flooring, showers or countertops, we clean travertine tile.
Our process for cleaning travertine consists of using equipment and machinery specifically designed for natural stone, as well as hand washing the corners, edges and hard to reach areas. We use a combination of neutral pH cleaners and degreasers that are safe for your stone, your family and the environment.
We ensure the most thorough and detailed cleaning possible. Improper or aggressive cleaning can cause damage by opening the pores of the stone, making it more susceptible to staining from pet accidents, dirty mop water, spills, and grime/asphalt from shoe traffic. Our 18+ years of experience with travertine and knowledge of the stone itself will avoid these issues.
As with all of our work, our technicians move most furniture excluding breakable and smaller items. We pay close attention to detail and ensure there is no dust and no mess created. We are extremely careful not to cause any damage to adjacent surfaces such as walls, baseboards, cabinets, appliances and carpets.
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OUR TRAVERTINE TILE SEALING PROCESS
Sealing natural travertine after a professional cleaning helps prevent staining and makes routine cleanings easier. Our process starts by applying a high quality penetrating sealant with a specialized applicator designed to work the seal into the pores of the stone. Once dry and depending on the texture of the stone, we finish the travertine sealing process by buffing out the seal with a floor machine equipped with a soft brush or pad attachment.
There are several types of sealants on the market, not all are not designed for travertine. For example, due to poor adhesion, topical seals are not a good choice and will eventually peel, delaminate, scratch, and scuff. When we find this type of sealant on travertine, we have to remove it very carefully in order to restore the stone’s finish.
If you are not sure what type of sealant is on your travertine, call Arizona Tile & Grout Care Inc. at (520) 909-1413 for a free evaluation and estimate.
OUR TRAVERTINE TILE & STONE POLISHING PROCESS
If you want a high-polished shine or a more finished look on your travertine surface, we can polish your stone with our diamond polishing pads and marble compound solutions. This process creates tighter pores in the stone which results in an outstanding reflection and a beautiful sheen.
Contact us at 520-909-1413 to get a no-obligation evaluation of your travertine floor and countertops.
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TUCSON PROFESSIONAL TRAVERTINE TILE REPAIRS
When it comes to the repair of natural stone travertine, we offer a variety of services. There are different types of travertine including filled, unfilled, polished, and honed finishes. Whether it is flooring, showers or countertops, we repair holes, cracks and other blemishes.
Etch removal
Travertine is very sensitive to acidic products which cause “dull” spots or marks known as etches. Food, drink and certain cleaning agents will etch travertine. We use our stone polishing process to remove these etches and restore the tile finish.
Cracks in stone or grout
Travertine stone sometimes cracks or buckles with expansion and contraction of the substrate (surface underneath). This is usually caused by temperature change. Depending on the severity of the damage, we can repair it or arrange to replace the tile.
Holes or voids in the stone
Occasionally the fill in travertine can break down resulting in a hole or void. Holes and chips can also be caused by furniture, and falling objects. We fill these holes with a stone putty mix or grout mix, depending on whether the stone is filled or unfilled.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR TRAVERTINE TILES
Travertine should be maintained through frequent sweeping and mopping, using appropriate cleaners and fresh water. Be sure to change mop bucket water multiple times. This keeps the water clean, ensuring the stone will continue to look great for years to come. On average, professional cleaning and sealing is recommended every 3-5 years, depending on traffic and usage. When properly maintained and cared for, this stone will stay beautiful and functional for generations. We provide detailed care instructions on the maintenance of your natural travertine.
CONTACT US FOR TRAVERTINE TILE CLEANING IN TUCSON, MARANA, & ORO VALLEY
Arizona Tile & Grout Care protects, restores and beautifies the floors and surfaces of people’s most important assets- their homes and businesses. We have specialized in tile, stone and grout restoration since 1998 with over 14,400 jobs completed. We have 5 Angie’s List Super Service Awards and absolutely no complaints with the Registrar of Contractors and the Better Business Bureau. We strive to maintain our stellar reputation. We want every customer to have a great experience with our service and feel good about recommending us to their family, friends and neighbors.
Contact us at 520-909-1413 to get a quote on travertine tile cleaning, sealing and repair. We are happy to schedule an appointment to discuss your travertine needs and provide a free estimate.