Problem with Travertine floor - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

Redangel · 27-03-2008

Hi

I posted in February about the problem I was having with a Travertine floor. Some of you may remember that the tiler had left HG impregnator on for 3 days then used an acid based product to remove it then used Lithofin , it went on and on and we have ended up with a floor that is not good to look at. The problem is the tiler has basically washed his hands of it and said there is a problem with the tiles. The tile importer has refused to come out because of what the tiler used on the floor, but we have spoken to the importer and he says it is the installation ,which we agree with. We now need to take it further and have been told we need to get in touch with the tile council to get an independent assessment of the damage. I am having trouble finding a number for the tile council and was hoping someone could help! Sorry for the rambling but I really am so fed up with this,

we have just got back from holiday and we really need to get it sorted.

Thankyou in advance.

**MICK the Tiler** · 27-03-2008

Sorry to hear about your misfortune with a tile fixer Red angel

as I'm not a local I can't help with the tile council number but somebody will come along for sure.

ACID on trav????? a big NO!! NO!! if the fixer didn't neautralize with some bi-carb soda then the acid might well be still etching into your trav floor.

Honing might well be an option??? but without seeing the floor i'm just guessing.

TilingLogistics · 27-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redangel

Hi

I posted in February about the problem I was having with a Travertine floor. Some of you may remember that the tiler had left HG impregnator on for 3 days then used an acid based product to remove it then used Lithofin , it went on and on and we have ended up with a floor that is not good to look at. The problem is the tiler has basically washed his hands of it and said there is a problem with the tiles. The tile importer has refused to come out because of what the tiler used on the floor, but we have spoken to the importer and he says it is the installation ,which we agree with. We now need to take it further and have been told we need to get in touch with the tile council to get an independent assessment of the damage. I am having trouble finding a number for the tile council and was hoping someone could help! Sorry for the rambling but I really am so fed up with this,

we have just got back from holiday and we really need to get it sorted.

Thankyou in advance.

Hi where are you in the Country? P{lease post back or give me a call to discuss! My numbers are on signature block below

Kevin

**Dave** · 27-03-2008

Kev should be able to help you no probs........

Here are the contact details of the TTA and the stone federation of the UK...

good luck and let us know what happens......

Redangel · 27-03-2008

Thanks to all for the advice. Kevin, I'm in Merseyside. I understand that to get someone from the tile council to come out to give us a report will cost about £500 . We can of course try to claim it back from whoever is at fault and it does look as if we will need to go to small claims court so we will need an independent report. Just another query, the grout which was grey , is now white in large parts. Has this been caused by the use of acid ?

**MICK the Tiler** · 28-03-2008

I see the quality advice was not long coming Redangel

The acid will indeed cause the grout to turn patchy and white in places due to it being dissolved salts from the travertine and from the grout itself. Most stone has a high level of calcium carbonate within the stone, this in turn means that most stone has a alkaline ph, so acid washing will start to dissovle the stone and the grout when acid is applied the stone and grout will bubble and fizz as the chemical reaction takes place giving off carbon dioxide gas.

Alkaline or chloride base cleaners are a far safer cleaning chemical to use on stone products as the ph is alot closer to that of the stone.