Professional Stone Cleaning and Your Floor Part 2

Part two of our series on stone cleaning explores travertine.

Call in a professional for travertine cleaning in San Antonio | (210) 637-5050

How to Clean Travertine: An Insider's Guide

If you would like to know how to clean travertine, here is some information for you.  First off, know that travertine is a lot more sensitive than a stone such as granite, particularly to anything acidic.  To avoid etching your floor, make sure that you blot up spills immediately.  Even tap water may have trace amounts of chlorine in it, which is very bad.  Make sure that you blot, don't wipe.  A lot of people instinctively wipe a spill instead of blotting it.  Wiping the spill simply spreads it around.  

When you're blotting, make sure that you use either a soft cloth or a sponge.  Use hot water and a stone cleaner and stone sealer that is specifically designed for travertine.  You may also want to keep your travertine products separate from other cleaning products to avoid any mishaps, and make sure you clearly label them with something as simple as TRAVERTINE CLEANING ONLY.  While it is possible to use a pH neutral soap such as dishwashing detergent periodically, be aware that while it won't damage your stone, it will dull its finish.  

Another thing that you can do with your travertine is to use a dust mop on it at least once a week.  Make sure that your dustmop gets replaced when it starts to get worn, or you could end up scratching your stone.  Door mats, like with hardwood floors, are a good idea as they help to trap grit, dirt, and sand.  

What to Avoid When You Want to Clean Your Stone

Knowing what to avoid can also save you a lot of trouble where travertine cleaning is concerned.  First off, don't ever  use any store bought or generic products as these produces often contain acids, ammonia, or alkali, with can not only etch your stone, it can strip away any protective coatings and make your stone susceptible  to staining and damage.  You also don't want to use anything citrus based or anything like vinegar.  You also don't want use anything abrasive either as these will dull the finish of your travertine.  

So remember, taking care of your travertine is all about not only knowing what to do, but what not to do as well.  And when in doubt, call a travertine cleaning service.

Travertine is only type of stone that needs specialized care, another one is marble...

Continue Reading

Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com

Professional Stone Cleaning and Your Floor Part 1

Before you try to do any sort of stone cleaning, there are several things you need to know.  Let's look at travertine for example.  

Get Professional Travertine Cleaning in Cibolo TX | Call Us Today (210) 637-5050

Travertine Cleaning and Hiring a Pro

Travertine should always be done by a professional stone cleaning service, unless you are 100% sure that you know how to handle travertine.  The reason is that travertine is a surprisingly fragile stone particularly were exposure to certain things is concerned. Travertine is a calcium-based natural stone in the same family as marble and limestone. It is formed when deposits of calcium carbonate congeal. One of the traits of travertine are the many holes and gaps in the stone which form when carbon dioxide escapes during the formation process. Travertine is graded based on the amount of holes in the stone. The more holes there are, the lower the grade of travertine you have. However, whether low-grade travertine or high grade, these holes give travertine its distinctive texture but they also make travertine more porous. These pores make travertine also more prone to staining. Some stains are worse than others however.

For example if you spill anything acidic on travertine such as coffee, orange juice, red wine, or vinegar for a few examples, you also have a good chance of damaging your stone. And if you think this problem is confined to what you spill, sometimes the wrong cleaning solution can damage your travertine as well. To make matters worse, wet mopping your floor may also cause long term damage as well.

Travertine Care and Cleaning

A stone cleaning service knows how to clean travertine, however. They also know what not to do as well. First off the stone is gently cleaned and then it is sealed.  Stone sealer seeps into all the pores and helps to protect your stone from further stains as well as damage.  Stone sealer is a relatively modern invention that works very well and lasts at least five years, sometimes as more as a decade.  Another reason to contact a professional for your travertine cleaning is that he can give you some tips to help keep your travertine looking its best between visits.

Travertine is a beautiful addition to any home, but if you're not careful, you could end up damaging your stone...

Continue Reading

Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com

Grout Sealing: What it Is and Why You Need it Part 2

Part two of our series on grout sealing explores giving your floor a new look.

Bathroom remodeling in San Antonio | (210) 637-5050

Grout Sealing Vs. Grout Color Sealing

There are two types of grout sealers. This sealant is either solvent based or water based. Which should you go for?  Grout sealing or grout color sealing?  Well that depends on you and your tastes.  If you just want a clean look for your floors and you wish to keep your floor looking the same, then you will want to go for regular sealing.  What about when you want to change your floor? That's were color sealing comes in.

When you call in a professional service for grout color sealing, it can totally change the way your floor looks, while at the same time protecting your floor from spills and stains.  You can choose from all of the major supplier grout colors, and give your floor a new look without ripping up the floor and re-tiling and re-grouting your floor.

Why Go For Color Sealing Your Grout

Grout color sealer is used in two ways. You can either re-capture the color that you used to have, or you can go for a new color instead. There are arguments for both. Matching your original color can make your grout look like it is new instead of years or even decades old.  It is also more about restoration.  However, if you want a fresh look, you want to change your color.  Be aware that if you want to change your grout's shade, you want to make sure that you pick something compatible.  You don't want a darker color on grout that looks better white, and vice-versa.  You want to give it careful thought before you do anything to change your floor's look, as it is can be difficult to change back.  

If you change your grout color, the color can transfer to the tile and give it a new look as well.  Be aware however, that certain types of tile such as natural stone you want to use caution on using grout color sealing as it can also change the color of your stone.  When in doubt, call a professional to help you where grout color sealing is involved.  

This concludes part two of our series on grout sealing.  For more information on this topic, be sure to read part one and part three as well.

Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com

Grout Sealing: What it Is and Why You Need it Part 1

Part one of a series on grout sealing explores the concept and why you should consider getting it done for your floor.

Why Should You Get Grout Sealing Done

Get Grout Sealing Done | (210) 637-5050

Why should you get grout sealing done?  Let's start with clear sealing first.  Whether you are using resin-based grout or concrete-based grout, both types have one thing in common:  They are extremely porous.  As a result of this, that means anything from spills to dirt tracked in from outside can leave stains on your grout.  Most grout lines are snow white when they are first laid down.  Over time, however, grout lines can darken to the point of being black.

Even mopping your floor with slightly dirty water can cause your grout to become stained.  Another problem that you will face without cleaning and sealing your grout is some stains are worse than others.  For example, anything corrosive can eat away at your grout and tile.  The worst types of grout damage are not just the gaps or cracks you can see, but the ones that are underneath the tile.

Grout is not just between the tile, it is also a bit under each tile as well.  As a result, it acts like a cushion for your tile and helps to strengthen it.  When there is a gap under the tile, it can cause pressure to be placed on the tile without any support.  This can lead to a cracked tile.  The key to stopping this from happening is a two pronged approach.

Grout Cleaning and Sealing: The Two Pronged Approach

First off, you want to clean your grout.  This will remove any dirt as well as bleaching out any stains.  Once it has been cleaned, then you want to make sure that you get clear coat sealant applied.  This sealer will fill the pores of not only your grout but your tile as well.  As a result, you will have a liquid proof barrier between your tile as well as your grout and anything that can stain it or otherwise mar it's appearance.  In addition, clear grout sealing lasts for a long time, sometimes as much as a decade.  One other benefit is that it makes your floor shine.

So let's recap shall we?  It protects your tile.  It also protects your grout.  It keeps your floor shiny and bright.  All of these are very good reasons to get grout sealing done.

This concludes part one of our series on grout sealing.  For more information on this topic, be sure to read part two and part three as well.

Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com