Travertine tile is a prevalent choice for both outdoor and indoor flooring because of its wide range of variations and color options. However, this robust flooring material tends to look dull over time. We recommend hiring professionals for travertine floor restoration in Pasadena or other cities. You can also consider restoring travertine floors on your own if you have a free weekend and a few supplies to polish the travertine floors yourself. Continue reading to learn the techniques of travertine floor polishing.
Supplies You Need for Polishing in Rolling Hills or Other Cities
Yet / dry Vacuum
Weighted low-speed floor buffer
Protective plastic sheeting
Travertine filler compound if we have to fill any holes
Polishing & Buffing pads
Diamond resin 4 inch pads grits 200, 400, 800, & 1500
Risers to attach the diamond resin pads to the weighted disc
Natural stone Sealer
Waterproof tape
Floor stripper
Polishing powder
Mop and bucket
Note: The restoration and polishing process requires skilled and experienced technicians and is a messy process. If you do not have experience we advise you to hire a professional natural stone care company in your area.
Step 1
Masking. You must properly mask around the work area as the restoration and polishing process is an extremely messy one. You do not want to have the polishing slurry or splashing to be left on any furniture, baseboards, appliances as it will surely damage them in many different ways. After properly masking your work area; start by removing and stripping the floors from any old coating such as wax, previously applied floor sealers, etc... The stripper and proper pad will help to remove dirt build-up from your travertine floor or marble floor before the restoration and polishing process. A floor mop is best for applying the stripper to the floor. The stripper has to sit there for a good 5 minutes first. Steps to remove a stripper from your floor can be found on different short youtube videos.
Step 2
Next, you need to use the diamond resin pads to wet sand the floor, remove etches, stains and stubborn dirt. You have to evaluate the condition of the floor and use the suitable grit level to smooth out the floor. Depending on how deep the scratches are in the floor and how damaged the floor is, you will have to decide whether you will start with 100 grit or 200 grit or 400 grit. After using the proper grit, you will start by making even passes, extract the slurry build-up and move up to the second higher grit level. This process requires patience and consistency and the shine is a product of smoothness. So you have to make sure to smooth out the floor evenly. There are technical details that we will not go through in this blog about how you can check your work in every step to produce consistent results.
Step 3
After smoothing out the floors you will start the polishing process. Using a weighted drive disk is recommended in the wet sanding and polishing. Being familiar with the different polishing powders, quantities to be used, number of rounds you will perform is crucial as using the wrong polishing materials, quantities, time spent on each tile may damage your floors and cause discoloration. That is why experienced and skilled floor technicians are important in each step of the restoration process. As you know, each natural stone is different from how it was formed, the different chemicals it has and the different pressure it was formed under. So You have to take your time in the polishing process as the polishing powder chemicals need time to react with the stone. Remember you are dealing with a solid and hard surface and it requires patience and consistency.
Step 4
Rinsing. After slowly polishing the floors and making the proper number of passes; you have to extract the slurry and rinse the floors with a PH neutral solution. There are many products in the market that may harm your natural stone floors. Knowledge of which product to use on the different types of natural stone surface is important. Contact us with any questions that you may have at (866)686-1637 or email us your inquiry at info@titansrestore.com. After rinsing the floors well and neutralizing the polishing powder, extract the water and clean all the edges and baseboards from any residue left.
Step 5
Sealing and buffing. There are different types of sealers in the market such as water based sealers or oil based sealers, or sealer with color enhancing capabilities; depending on the type of your natural stone it is important to use the right sealer. Make sure that the floor is 100% dry before applying the sealer. You will apply small amounts and buff the surface evenly, and slowly. This process requires patience to make sure that there is no haze or dull or uneven shine.
Titans Natural Stone Restoration is a leading stone restoration, polishing, and maintenance company serving both commercial and residential customers across Southern California. You can count on us to polish the travertine floor and restoring its original luster. Our services are accessible in Beverly Hills, Rolling Hills Estate, South Bay, Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, San Fernando Valley, Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Altadena, San Dimas, Los Alamitos, Corona, Rancho Santa Margarita, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Irvine, Laguna Woods, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Monrovia, Burbank, Diamond Bar, San Marino, Temple City, Malibu, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Bel Air, Rancho Palos Verdes, North Hollywood, Lake Forest, Portola Hills, Chino, Chino Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Van Nuys, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Redondo Beach, Century City, Seal Beach, Laguna Beach, Hollywood, Downey, Palos Verdes Estates, Pasadena, and other surrounding areas in California.