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Stu Roberts

Travertine tile cleaning...
« on: September 30, 2012, 11:51:52 pm »
Hi,

I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me any tips on what the best method would be to for cleaning a filled travertine tiled floor. The tiles themselves are in a reasonable condition, and more than anything they require a clean and polish. Usually, as with most natural stone floors, I would use a neutral floor cleaning solution followed by a sealant and then to finish I would use a standard 'wipe-on' floor polish.

Is is possible to use a stronger alkaline floor cleaning solution for stripping the tiles of their existing polish and sealant, or would this cause a problem with the stone?

Comments and ideas very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2012, 01:22:40 pm »
Really easy

1.  Pre wet the floor.
2.  Apply a diluted High Alkaline cleaner such as Aqua Mix Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner and allow to dwell.
3.  Then apply some 320 Grit Honing Powder and work in with a soft to medium brush on a rotary.
4.  Vac solution up with wet vac.
5.  Thoroughly rinse and wet vac again.
6.  Once dry seal with good quality water based impregnator sealer such as Aqua Mix Sealers Choice Gold

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics

Stu Roberts

Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2012, 12:59:42 pm »
Very much appreciated Kev. I take it that Aqua Mux sell the cleaning solutions direct?

Stu Roberts

Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2012, 10:39:06 pm »
Just one more question Kev: I take it that the honing powder is sprinkled onto the alkaline solution and then subsequently worked in the with the rotary machine? What kind of coverage would you get with a 2kg tub?

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2012, 09:29:37 am »
Very much appreciated Kev. I take it that Aqua Mux sell the cleaning solutions direct?

We sell all the Aqua Mix Products

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2012, 09:37:32 am »
Just one more question Kev: I take it that the honing powder is sprinkled onto the alkaline solution and then subsequently worked in the with the rotary machine? What kind of coverage would you get with a 2kg tub?

Stu

It depends on how much you use but my guys get around 50M2 per KG making it a very inexpensive product and added to that the larger sizes you buy it in the cheaper it is:  e.g.

HONE 220 Grit

1KG   £8.99
2KG   £14.99
5KG   £24.99
25KG £87.99


These prices are retail + VAT but as a Cleanitup member you get a trade discount so in effect if you buy the larger tub it can be as little as £2.81 a KG that's an amazing £0.05p per M2.

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics

Stu Roberts

Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2012, 08:02:13 pm »
Thanks for your help Kev. I'll give you a bell tomorrow to place an order for the gear that I need.

paul mather

  • Posts: 528
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2012, 12:34:22 pm »
Hi, I have travertine tiles in my bathroom. I do not use any special cleaning products just mild soap & it comes up fine. I sealed when I had it tiled now & again will use a little bleach.
Use the wand of power !!


Warrington, Cheshire

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2012, 05:11:57 pm »
Hi, I have travertine tiles in my bathroom. I do not use any special cleaning products just mild soap & it comes up fine. I sealed when I had it tiled now & again will use a little bleach.

Paul

Absolutely correct but as you said they were probably sealed correctly with the correct product when laid and you maintain them correctly.  However, when all is said and done a bathroom does not suffer with High Traffic, Kids on Bikes or dragging toys, pets etc so it should stay clean.  Finally a little advice do not use bleach to clean natural stone!

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics

Stu Roberts

Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2013, 05:46:01 pm »
Kev,

Got to say that you're advice was absolutely spot on!! I completed the clean a few weeks back with amazing results and a very, very happy customer. The job has created repeat work and referrals left, right and centre. Hopefully, I'll be coming to you very soon to buy a new rotary scrubber vor more of the same work.

Curious, do you sell a travertine floor maintainer which can be used after the floor has been sealed with sealers choice gold?

Thanks,

Stu.

SteveAllan

Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2013, 06:32:47 pm »
Glad it went well Stu, the Rockys that Kev sells are a great bit of kit, you won't be disappointed.

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2013, 07:55:59 pm »
Kev,

Got to say that you're advice was absolutely spot on!! I completed the clean a few weeks back with amazing results and a very, very happy customer. The job has created repeat work and referrals left, right and centre. Hopefully, I'll be coming to you very soon to buy a new rotary scrubber vor more of the same work.

Curious, do you sell a travertine floor maintainer which can be used after the floor has been sealed with sealers choice gold?

Thanks,

Stu.
Stu

You need some Aqua Mix Concentrated Tile Cleaner or some LC 6 they are both pH neutral cleaners.  Also do you leave them with a set of the Floorcare instructions as these are a good way of leaving your details without appearing to be pushy and they call you for products.  If you want give me a quick e mail to tilinglogistics@hotmail.com and I will send you a set of my Floor Care Instructions which you can adapt as your own!

Kev Martin
Ting Logistics
Marblelife Ltd
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics

Jason Smith

  • Posts: 62
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2013, 05:07:56 pm »
Stu,

There's a very simple process without using any cleaning solutions or honing powders, although that process works well it can be very time consuming, messy and more expensive than this process I'm just about to suggest.

Have you tried using non woven diamond pads, HTC Twister, KGS or Rhino Diamond pads, all you need is a weighted 40-50kg swing machine, polisher scrubber 16-17" drive board and clean water.

Using these quality pads you will acheive everything you can with specialist cleaning solutions and powders without the mess, saving time and extra cost... if you want to know more check out the companies websites mentioned for more information of this innovative cleaning and polishing process, or let me know and I'll point you in the right direction.





Jason Smith - Business Manager

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2013, 12:11:10 pm »
Stu,

There's a very simple process without using any cleaning solutions or honing powders, although that process works well it can be very time consuming, messy and more expensive than this process I'm just about to suggest.

Have you tried using non woven diamond pads, HTC Twister, KGS or Rhino Diamond pads, all you need is a weighted 40-50kg swing machine, polisher scrubber 16-17" drive board and clean water.

Using these quality pads you will acheive everything you can with specialist cleaning solutions and powders without the mess, saving time and extra cost... if you want to know more check out the companies websites mentioned for more information of this innovative cleaning and polishing process, or let me know and I'll point you in the right direction.







Jason

I cannot believe this post!!!  Why are you trying to tell forum members that Diamond Pads will work on this stone and moreover achieve the same results as a high alkaline and honing powder???  Furthermore even if Diamond Pads did work which they don't they would still create a slurry and you would have to rinse afterwards and finally they are a lot more expensive anyway!!!

Lets Look at the post step by step:

"There's a very simple process without using any cleaning solutions or honing powders, although that process works well it can be very time consuming, messy and more expensive than this process I'm just about to suggest"

1.    The method I suggested as you have stated not only works well,  it works 5 x better and it cleans the grout and pits and fissures as well.
2.    Time consuming???  What planet are you on?  How many floors have you done with our honing powder?  Have you even tried it?
3.    Messy?  So pads don't create slurry then or the floor will not require rinsing afterwards???
4.    So diamond pads will do a 100M2 floor for less than £10 will they?

"Have you tried using non woven diamond pads, HTC Twister, KGS or Rhino Diamond pads, all you need is a weighted 40-50kg swing machine, polisher scrubber 16-17" drive board and clean water"

1.   Yes I have tried 100's of them including Klindex. KGS, Twiister, Cheetah, Monkey etc, etc they are all the same in varying degrees!!!!
2.    Or are you going to tell me that the Rhino Pads you sell are the Best of the Best and I can forget the other 30+ Brands I have tried??? If so send me or sell me a set and Iwill trial them for you!
3.    Even if they did work why do you need so much weight???  Having done 10's of 1000's M2 stone renovation and restoration Diamond Pads work by allowing the pad to do the work not by relying on weight.  Pads work just as well without weight and don't wear so quickly!
4.   Finally don't forget I sell pads as well in 4",6" 8", 12" 15" 17" & 20" and yes we sell 1000's but they are not the answer in this application!

"Using these quality pads you will acheive everything you can with specialist cleaning solutions and powders without the mess, saving time and extra cost... if you want to know more check out the companies websites mentioned for more information of this innovative cleaning and polishing process, or let me know and I'll point you in the right direction."

I have already told you the arguments against this final paragraph!

Ultimately your post is trying to get people to buy Pads and not guiding them towards the right process to restore a travertine floor.

Please remember that my posts offering advice and guidance are based on experience in the constant cleaning and restoration of floors!  If pads were the answer then I would have said so!

Kevin Martin
Marblelife Ltd
Tiling Logistics
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics

Jason Smith

  • Posts: 62
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2013, 04:50:21 pm »
You can delete this post again if you want, but there is only one person here who is being aggresive and rude. Manners cost nothing, and if my opinions are only seen as advertising then it's because someone feels threathened. 

I have actually spent more time in this industry than Kevin, cleaning and restoring tile and stone floors so I have a lot to offer this forum and the memebrs which I am happy to do.

Free and unbiased, but surely just because you don't pay to advertise you should be able to offer alternative products and processes, or are the Forum moderators going to continue allowing Kevin to have a monopoly and give incorrect over spec information?

I will be happy to pay for advertising as long as I can offer my knowledge without fear of receiving aggression from other forum members.
Jason Smith - Business Manager

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #15 on: February 18, 2013, 06:56:18 pm »
Jason

I bow to your superior knowledge and I am constantly striving to improve my own knowledge, however whether you see my post as agressive or not your advice in this instance to restore a travertine floor with diamond pads was wrong!  I am sorry you disliked me challenging that and saw it as agressive!

Welcome to the forums and I  for one genuinely look forward to your future informative posts!

Kev Martin
Marblelife ltd
Tiling Logistics
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics

Jason Smith

  • Posts: 62
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #16 on: February 18, 2013, 07:17:21 pm »
Thank you Kevin, I don't mind a debate as long as it's a civil non aggressive one.

The whole reason for forums is to learn, people having a difference of opinion is normal. We both have a vast expanse of field experience and knowledge with differing processes that work.

I stand by my post as it is a successful tried and tested process partaken by many different professional companies within this industry.
Jason Smith - Business Manager

Shaun_Ashmore

  • Posts: 11382
Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #17 on: February 18, 2013, 08:28:50 pm »
Kev Martin has been a regular contributor on here for a long time I hope that new posters can respect and temper their enthusiasm, we do need different view points but please respect the forum, each other and remember your customers are also watching and reading your posts.

Shaun

Stu Roberts

Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #18 on: February 19, 2013, 01:41:00 pm »
Kev,

Got to say that you're advice was absolutely spot on!! I completed the clean a few weeks back with amazing results and a very, very happy customer. The job has created repeat work and referrals left, right and centre. Hopefully, I'll be coming to you very soon to buy a new rotary scrubber vor more of the same work.

Curious, do you sell a travertine floor maintainer which can be used after the floor has been sealed with sealers choice gold?

Thanks,

Stu.
Stu

You need some Aqua Mix Concentrated Tile Cleaner or some LC 6 they are both pH neutral cleaners.  Also do you leave them with a set of the Floorcare instructions as these are a good way of leaving your details without appearing to be pushy and they call you for products.  If you want give me a quick e mail to tilinglogistics@hotmail.com and I will send you a set of my Floor Care Instructions which you can adapt as your own!

Kev Martin
Ting Logistics
Marblelife Ltd

Kev,

Nope, haven't left anyone with a set of floor cleaning  or care instructions as yet, although I do like the sound of that. A copy of what you use would be of great help. My email is stuart@cheshirecarpetclinic.co.uk.

How much do you sell the above cleaning solutions for?

Cheers,

Stu.

Stu Roberts

Re: Travertine tile cleaning...
« Reply #19 on: February 19, 2013, 01:42:51 pm »
Have to say chaps, the thread made for some very entertaining and interesting reading... Not sure I would entertain the idea of diamond pads with travertine due to the results I had on this job. Although, I'm always open to new ways of working.