Travertine Floor Tile Maintenance

The grout lines in travertine floors allow the individual tiles to expand or contract as the season and temperature changes.

Travertine floor tile maintenance. The regular cleaning polishing honing and maintenance requirements of travertine tile are what every home owner must deal with when having travertine tiles installed. Because travertine is soft it will wear more rapidly than other stone surfaces when used in flooring. Interior stone can generally be cleaned by dry dust mopping to remove dirt and debris. For any travertine surface use a high quality neutral cleaner.

If an acidic cleaner is used a chemical reaction can occur causing discoloration of the tile. Travertine tiles may need to be periodically honed or polished to maintain their finish. Honed finish travertine stone is commonly found in high traffic areas such as floors thresholds and treads whereas polished finish stone is found on counter tops walls tables and furniture. However the grout is also susceptible to water damage discoloration stains and even mold.

The tiles should be cleaned gently with non abrasive and non acidic cleaners. Travertine care and maintenance foot traffic and how it is directed plays a role in maintenance and restoration frequency and techniques. Travertine floor tiles should be swept or vacuumed regularly to keep dirt and other grainy materials from scratching the surface. It effectively prevents the tiles from rubbing against each other and cracking.