10 May 22
Travertine is often perceived as a delicate stone that requires too much maintenance. This discourages a lot of people from choosing Travertine as a paving material. That’s not the property of this natural stone and against all misconceptions, it is rather easy to maintain. Here are some fewer known hacks to maintain Travertine pavers that you must try.
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Sweeping
Make frequent cleaning a part of Travertine stone’s ongoing maintenance. Sweeping the pavers regularly would help keep dust or dirt away. It would also prevent the build-up of debris and permanent grime. If sweeping is time-consuming, you can pressure wash Travertine pavers occasionally hence increasing the life of Travertine. Do remember, that pressure washing might harm the coating of the seal on the stone. It is advisable to seal them again after washing.
Removing stains
Stains of rust, mould, or spills can be easily cleaned by simple scrubbing. If the pavers have been freshly sealed, the stains are probably superficial that will go away by scrubbing or wiping. You can try a simple soap and water solution too. However, if the stains have penetrated the sealing, you can try these simple methods:
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(i) Using Hydrogen Peroxide
- Pour some hydrogen peroxide on the affected place
- Spread it with a granite cleaning pad or soft-bristled brush.
- Let the solution sit on the stain for 24 hours and rinse with water thoroughly.
(ii) Using Baking Soda
- Mix equal parts of water and baking soda along with a little amount of regular cleanser.
- Blend the mixture and brush on the stained area.
- Rinse thoroughly after the paste has been on the stain for at least 20 minutes.
- If the stain is of vinegar, mix baking soda with acetone and let it sit on the stan for 24 hours. Rinse with water, wipe the surface and apply a sealant.
Sealing
It is imperative to seal natural stones since they are porous. Sealant is usually a transparent solution that is applied to the surface of the stone. Sealing creates a protective layer on the surface which prevents stains, moisture absorption, or dust accumulation. Unfilled Travertine (the one with holes) should also be sealed to prevent the pores from collecting dust, grime, or getting stained. Travertine should be sealed after installation post which periodic sealing is highly recommended. You can do that every one to two years or after chemically treating the pavers.
Removing mould
Travertine pool pavers, Travertine pool copings, or paving in humid places are prone to mould growth. It’s a kind of fungal growth that thrives on organic substances. It can grow in places that are in shade or do not receive enough sunlight. Improper drainage, plumbing leakage, poor construction detailing, or bad landscaping are factors that encourage mould development. They can cause permanent stains, cracks, or bacterial infiltration in the long run. Follow the below-mentioned method to remove them from Travertine pavers as well as stop the growth of mould and moss in the future.
- Wet the area.
- Prepare a solution of hot water with mild soap or detergent.
- Now dip a scrubbing brush in the solution and start stroking the pavers. The bristles should not be too hard or metallic else they would scratch the surface.
- As you continue to brush the pavers, the mould would start to separate from the surface. Repeat until all of it has come off.
- Wash the area with plain water to remove the detergent residue and remaining mould scraps.
- If there is any bit of the residue remaining on the surface, wet the area again with a soap solution. Sprinkle talc powder on stains, allow the talc to absorb the stains, and let it sit on pavers until dry. Thereafter sweep with a scrubbing brush and finish by rinsing with plain water. Now leave the pavers to dry.
Removing weed
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Weed is another organic substance that haunts Travertine users. However, managing weed is not a tedious task. You can pull out the weed from its roots and chemically treat them to deter future growth. Else the above-mentioned steps of mould removal can also be followed for weeding.
Alternatively, run a weed-whacker along the edge of the yard and pavers. You can also add stone edgers to create separation between the lawn and pavers. For those who do not know what a weed-whacker is, it is an electric grass trimmer with a nylon cutting cord that rotates rapidly on a spindle.
What not to do
Travertine is a sedimentary rock, a pre-stage of limestone. Despite the calcium carbonate present in the stone, it is prone to get etched when it comes in contact with acid. Do not use cleaners if they contain one of the following ingredients or fall in the following categories:
- General-purpose cleaners
- Acidic solutions, vinegar, lemon
- Ammonia, bleach
- Commercial cleaners with alkaline not meant for Travertine stone
- Scouring cream or powder
- Also, avoid extreme heat or pressure to clean the stone
Final thought
By now you would agree that maintenance of Travertine pavers is not a Hercules task as perceived. If you are quick in your action and have carefully planned the cleaning task, the pavers last long. What’s better than pavers that not only look good but can also be easily maintained? To know more about Travertine paving, please feel free to get in touch with our sales team at 1300 830 274.
*Disclaimer: All information and advice given above in the blog are to the best of our knowledge. Please reconfirm at your end before execution.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
