Travertine floating is the process used to either change unfilled travertine surfaces to the smooth appearance of filled travertine or to repair filled travertine surfaces with holes that have become exposed due to foot traffic and other factors. For repairs, we use filler tinted to match the rest of the surface, blending the repair site with the surrounding area, then honing and polishing to achieve a uniform finish. Changing a completely unfilled surface to a filled one is basically the same process, but offers a broader array of design choices, since you are not limited to a color that matches an existing filler.

While any travertine surface can become dirty and grimy with use, unfilled travertine with its naturally varying surface texture and inherent holes can be particularly challenging once dirt has had time to accumulate in the hollows and low points. Not to worry, though. If you love the untamed charm of unfilled travertine, we can remove deeply imbedded soiling, strip away years of buildup of unsightly topical treatments, remove soap film in showers, get rid of soot on fireplaces, and resolve a host of other travertine cleaning problems, leaving your stone as pristine as the day it was installed. Scheduling regular professional cleanings can help keep your floor in great shape.

Some natural stone types are more porous than others, and the more porous a natural stone is, the more susceptible it is to staining. Your travertine will be easier to keep clean with periodic professional deep cleaning services, using non-acidic, highly-effective cleaning solutions. Once your travertine is cleaned and restored, we may recommend you have us seal it to enhance its stain resistance. We say, “may” because not all stone needs to be sealed. Highly polished stone may not even take an impregnating sealer. But, if sealing is recommended, know that sealing represents an inexpensive, preventative measure against stain damage, because it buys you time to wipe up spills before they become stains.

Although technically it is possible to seal your own travertine, it would not be advisable to do so. Anyone without the proper training and experience can expect potential problems. There are many factors involved, such as determining whether sealer is needed, selecting the appropriate product, applying the right amount, allowing proper dwell time, and so on. It’s a job best left to qualified professionals.

Travertine is characterized by its neutral earth tone colors, but our skilled technicians can further enhance and intensify the color and natural beauty of your travertine by applying an enhancing sealer.

In most cases, virtually any problem you encounter with travertine can be resolved, including:

• Deep Cleaning
• Etch Removal
• Refinishing (restoring or changing the finish)
• Lippage Removal (leveling unevenly laid tiles)
• Crack and Chip Repair
• Sealing / Protecting
• Enhancing
• Stain Removal
• Filling Holes
• Replacing Tiles

Visit our Stain Management App to learn how to treat a host of stains on natural stone, tile and grout, concrete and terrazzo. Learn about stains, poulticing, how to mix and apply a poultice, and more.