A Few Tips to Keep Your Travertine Floors Beautiful
Travertine is a natural stone that is cut and used for floor tiles, walls, countertops, or swimming pools. It comes naturally in many colors, with or without vein designs. This stone can have a polished, tumbled, honed, hammered, or brushed finish. Quite often, it is used as flooring and provides the look and feel of marble without the expense. If you are considering installing a travertine floor, here are a few tips to ensure it remains beautiful for many years.
Sealing
As a porous stone, travertine tiles are susceptible to stains and can harbor bacteria, mold, and mildew. In addition, dust and dirt can get into the pores. This will dull the appearance of the tile as well as make it look dirty. In addition, the particles that are in the pores may rub against the stone, scratching or damaging it. To protect the tiles, they need to be sealed with a product designed for travertine floor tiles. It is best to have the whole tile sealed before installation. This will protect the bottom and sides that you will not have access to in the future. Once installed, follow the manufacturer's recommendation for applying new sealant regularly.
Cleaning
Even if you are very good about applying sealant when you are supposed to, you still need to keep the tiles clean in between applications. This means wiping up spills as they happen and before they dry. This is especially true for liquids that are acidic as the acid can burn through the sealant and etch the stone. Use a dry, soft cloth or mop to pick up any dirt or dust on the floor to prevent it from scratching the finish. When you need to do more than a quick dusting, be sure to use a cleaning solution created for travertine. Don't forget to clean the grout too.
Covering
Even though you have travertine flooring because you love the way they look, it is a good idea to use rugs or doormats in the high-traffic areas. This will protect the stone from dirt, dust, and spills. Take the time to find the right covering that will not detract from the tile.
When properly cared for, a travertine tile floor will add beauty and a bit of elegance to a room. Luckily, the work required to keep the floor looking beautiful is no more time-consuming or difficult than any other flooring. Just be sure to use the maintenance methods for travertine, and they will look great for many years.
