Fast, professional cleaning and sealing of travertine tiles and pavers across the Perth metro. area, Mandurah and Pinjarra.
Used since Roman times, travertine is a highly durable stone material that elevates the look of any home. Travertine is formed in mineral springs (around hot springs, underground rivers, in limestone caves), and is different in appearance to both limestone and marble tiles, though all are technically a form of limestone.
Travertine pavers can last a lifetime if cared for properly. They’re a great choice in Perth for a diverse range of applications around your home’s interior and exterior:
- Outdoor travertine pavers can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations better than other surfaces like concrete pavers.
- The surface stays cool underfoot in hot weather making them ideal and perfectly suited for Perth’s harsh summers.
- Travertine tiles are naturally slip-resistant for use around swimming pools due to the naturally occurring varying degrees of natural texture.
- Their cooling and non-slip properties also make them an excellent choice for indoor areas.
Travertine tiles are still a porous material. This means it is susceptible to damage if you are not careful with spills and everyday cleaning.
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We use premium sealants like ProtectGuard MG which provides a 10 year seal for the surface, provided periodic cleaning maintenance is completed.
Alternatively ProtectGuard WF Premium is a penetrating colour enhancing sealer providing a matt finish wet appearance for approximately five years if periodic cleaning maintenance is completed.
Is it a good idea to have travertine tiles sealed?
Yes. The easiest, most efficient way to avoid your travertine floor becoming stained or damaged is to periodically clean and seal the stone. It makes a noticeable difference to the longevity of your travertine flooring, keeping it in pristine condition for longer.
Travertine cleaning can remove stains and get rid of any build-up of grime while sealing with a high-quality, non-toxic sealer will make sure they are better protected against the elements – and any wayward drinks or other liquids that could otherwise penetrate the porous travertine surface and leave a permanent stain.
Why should a travertine floor be sealed?
Travertine flooring exists on a spectrum, where more holes/texture in the stone material is generally regarded as being lower quality. Sealing regularly can also help if your travertine is naturally pitted, adding a protective barrier to help prevent this additional texture from filling with hard-to-shift dirt or debris over time.
Travertine is particularly vulnerable to acids on contact due to its high content of calcium carbonate. This includes organic acids such as wine, fruit juice, soft drinks – all the things that are lovely to enjoy on your travertine patio. Spilling these liquids on unsealed or poorly sealed travertine surfaces can etch the tiles if allowed to sit on the surface for a period of time. Although the below table doesn’t show travertine specifically, it provides an insight as to how organic acids can etch other natural stone like marble and granite.
Unsealed travertine can develop a whitish appearance over time due to water infiltration into its porous structure, which then evaporates and brings salts to the surface, commonly called efflorescence.
Environmental factors such as sunlight, wind, and rain contribute significantly to the gradual degradation of the stone. Continuous exposure to these elements can progressively increase surface pitting and wear and tear of the surface. Also worth noting, in lighter coloured travertine the sun will bleach the natural colour of the stone leaving it bland and dull in appearance.
A penetrating sealer can help to keep the natural look you want and protect against these potential damages.
How do you clean and seal travertine?
The most reliable way to clean and seal travertine is to let experienced technicians handle the process.
As mentioned earlier, the quality of travertine is on a spectrum with varying degrees of naturally occurring texture. Identifying what quality travertine you have to work with, adjusting the psi to suit the surface, and finally identifying what stains and the cleaning products you need to use ensuring they are suitable for natural stone all need to be identified before you even start.
There are plenty of DIY recipes for cleaning travertine online, but many of these are not ideal for the longevity of the material. Using professional services can save you a lot of heartache (and money on replacing irreparably damaged travertine pavers).
Avoid acids when cleaning travertine
Do not use any acidic cleaning products like vinegar on your travertine floors. Travertine is highly reactive to acids.
Only use travertine-specific cleaning products for home cleaning between regular maintenance. An appropriate cleaning solution will be pH neutral so as not to damage your travertine flooring.
Cleaning loose debris by gently sweeping the entire surface with a bristle broom is also great for everyday travertine cleaning.
Mr Blastit’s approach: Professionally Cleaning and Sealing Travertine
Mr Blastit can clean and seal your travertine outdoor paver areas, keeping your home (or at least your floors) looking brand new.
Interior and exterior travertine cleaning and sealing
Our operators can clean your indoor and outdoor travertine with ease, using non-toxic products that are safe around your home and your family. Whether you need indoor travertine floor tile or backyard pavers serviced, Mr Blastit gets the job done right the first time.
High-pressure cleaning services
The best way to deeply clean an outdoor travertine surface, especially if it is heavily soiled from outdoor settings, foot traffic, animals, is with high-pressure cleaning adjusted to suit your travertine. This will successfully remove dirt, grease, moss and mould sitting in the pores of your travertine stone.
We use a vacuum water recovery system that cleans with even pressure and doesn’t leave the resulting dirty water all over the place.
The system sucks up the grimy water while cleaning so it can be disposed of discreetly – typically in the corner of the garden, where it won’t flow into any pools or already cleaned areas.
Have a natural stone surface other than travertine? See our Natural Stone Cleaning and Sealing service page.
Using the best products for sealing travertine tiles
Using the appropriate sealer is crucial. Penetrating sealers are important for a porous surface like travertine flooring, which has a natural variation in texture. This texture can be a magnet for mould, grime and dirt (especially in damp or wet areas).
Mr Blastit uses water-based or solvent-based sealing products, dependent on the desired finish. High gloss may be better for indoors, for example, whereas outdoor areas tend to need more non-slip finishes.
Solvent-based sealers are typically best for dense natural stone like travertine. Our team will select the best sealant for your desired look, specific use, and the type of travertine tile you have installed.
The sealing process
Mr Blastit’s sealing service is efficient so you can get on with life as usual.
The surface of the travertine floor must be dry before we can seal it. If the weather cooperates, this can be a very quick turnaround. Depending on the circumstances and whether a water based or solvent based sealer is going to be applied we may be able to do same-day pressure cleaning and sealing on your travertine surfaces.
If it takes more than one day, rest assured we will still have your service done to a high standard as quickly as possible. We communicate openly with our clients so you know what is going on at all times.
While the sealer is drying (initial cure), it should not be walked on until the surface is touch dry. Full cure/stain protection will take seven days, during this time, you can use the area but be mindful to clean up any spills immediately and limit heavy traffic use until after the seven day full cure.
Find out more about caring for sealed surfaces with our handy tips.
How often should travertine be sealed?
After your travertine tiles are initially installed and sealed, a care and maintenance schedule should be implemented to maximise the life out of the sealer.
If your travertine is treated with a sealer from the ProtectGuard range, and you carry out a care and maintenance schedule you can get up 10 years without needing to reseal your stone. The life and longevity of the sealant is also dependent on usage, cleaning frequency and foot traffic.
For patios subject to high foot traffic or animals, poolsides due to splashing and consistent water going over the surface , it is likely you may need to reseal more often. Perth’s harsh conditions can take a toll on even the most premium of sealer finishes. Our operators will advise you on the life expectancy for the sealer used on your stone surface.
The most important maintenance you can do between this periodic sealing over the life of your travertine floor is to keep things clean.
- Use appropriate natural stone cleaners, avoiding any caustic solutions, acids and alkalis, or abrasive products/cleaning tools.
- Clean any spills immediately before they can etch or stain the stone.
- Don’t use wax if the shine on your tile surfaces has dulled between sealings; this can make the surface very slippery and dangerous.
- Place floor mats or rugs under furniture to avoid scratching over time.
Costs to clean and seal your travertine tiles and pavers
How much it costs to clean and seal travertine surfaces depends on a few factors. You can get an indication of your costs by using our online price estimate tool, or get an accurate quote by contacting our team.
Mr Blastit will effectively clean and seal your surfaces
Travertine is a very stylish material and can add old-world character to any home. Our experienced technicians can help you keep your surface looking great for longer, with an aesthetically attractive finish thanks to our premium sealer products.
Mr Blastit is based north of Perth and covers the Perth metro area, including Mandurah and Pinjarra. If you’re looking to get your travertine tiles looking tip-top again, give Mr Blastit a call today on 0419 350 332.
