Cleaning a Travertine Floor - Tile Advice

[bunnycd]

I hope someone can help. I have a 25sqm Travertine Floor and was quoted lots of money to get this floor professionally cleaned. Thus, I was hoping to have a go myself. The person that quoted me said he would polish the floor so it will be waterproof, and will not need doing again for 6 years. I wish I could afford him but unfortunatly I cannot afford £1k for this at the moment.

I was going to try myself.

Anyone have any advice on how I can clean plus seal the floor quickly?

I have looked at HSS and there are a number of floor scrubbers, can anyone reccommend the best way forward?
HSS Hire - Floor Scrubbers Tool Hire and Equipment Rental

 

[Gazzer]

Anyone have any advice on how I can clean plus seal the floor quickly?

I have looked at HSS and there are a number of floor scrubbers, can anyone reccommend the best way forward?
HSS Hire - Floor Scrubbers Tool Hire and Equipment Rental

You may end up damaging it beyond repair even quicker.

 

[bunnycd]

Can you please elaborate on why the cleaners will damage the tile?

 

[Gazzer]

Using any tool in an incorrect manner can cause damage.
Cleaners and sealers need to be used the same way, the dwell times of cleaners is most important as is the rinsing process. You will need a stripper, cleaner and sealer. A cleaning machine and a wet/dry vacuum IMO and then it will be a hit and miss process if you are not trained.

There is nothing worse than a stone floor covered in scratches caused by machinery in the wrong hands.
I am not saying it cant be done but be very careful as any damage created will cost even moore to correct.

 

[C&S]

I may be too late in replying to this thread as I am new here. Very good advice there from SirRammic. I think £1000 to polish 25sqm is a little OTT, I have just polished one slightly larger at around ***** for £***

I would also add, that, polishing a floor would not neccesarilly render a floor waterPROOF, but, polishing does tend to close up the stone to a degree, so I would advise water RESISTANT rather than waterPROOF.

Cleaners come in all sorts of guises and some acid based cleaners will EAT you travertine.
What are you trying to clean off the tiles?
If it is general dirt, try a High Alkaline Cleaner, but, like sirramic said, LET IT DWELL.

I often re-cut the surface with diamonds and build up through the different grades to give a New Look to the floor, I am not a fan of throwing a lot of chemicals all over the place.

Hope this helps, like I have said, I am new on here and I am simply having a look at what as taken place in the past and "joining in"

 

[Dan]

Just bumping some threads related to cleaning travertine. Not all threads will be current discussion but if you would like to reply with some information, go ahead, it may be valuable to somebody in the future. Tile Cleaning and Tile Restoration Forum