Travertine cleaning

Outdoor travertine collects a mix of problems: grey traffic grime in the pits and holes, black mould in shaded corners, tannin rings under pot plants, sunscreen and food oils by the pool, and calcium scale where splash water dries. The obvious fix, an acid wash, is the one thing that must never touch it.

We clean travertine with alkaline degreasers and stone-specific cleaners, agitate with soft rotary brushes that reach into the natural holes, and rinse at low pressure. Where filler has washed out of the holes, we note it for refilling. Open holes collect dirt and water and break down faster.

As with all our work, the run-off is captured, and pool-area work is planned so nothing goes into the pool or down the stormwater drain.

Signs you need travertine cleaning

• Grey or black dirt packed into the natural holes
• Dark mould in shaded corners and along walls
• White scale lines where pool water splashes and dries
• Dull, rough patches where something acidic has etched the surface
• Rings under pot plants and furniture
• Filler missing from holes, leaving open pits

How we do it

1. Identify the finishTumbled, honed, brushed or polished, and filled or unfilled. The finish decides the cleaning method and what's realistic.
2. Pre-treatMould, organic stains and greasy residue are pre-treated with limestone-safe cleaners.
3. AgitateRotary scrubbing with the right brushes lifts dirt from the surface and the holes without scratching.
4. Rinse and recoverA low-pressure rinse, then the run-off is recovered. Pool areas are protected throughout.
5. ReportWe point out etching, open holes and worn areas that cleaning alone won't fix, and quote honing, filling or sealing if needed.

What cleaning can and can't fix

Cleaning removes what sits on and in the stone. It can't reverse etching, which is a physical loss of the polished or honed surface caused by acid. Etch marks look like dull, watermark-shaped patches that won't wash off, and they're fixed by honing, not cleaning.

We'll tell you before we start which marks are dirt and which are damage, so the result matches what you expect.

Aftercare

• Use only pH-neutral stone cleaner. Never vinegar, lemon or bathroom cleaners.
• Rinse pool splash and salt off the coping regularly.
• Use saucers with feet under pot plants so water doesn't sit on the stone.
• Re-seal on schedule. Sealed travertine is far easier to keep clean.