How would you restore this Travertine patio area?

[gsxrken]

Maybe eight years ago or so we installed an inground pool and went with some beautiful looking Travertine stone for the patio area. It looked great and is cooler underfoot than the synthetic unlock paver stones, but it has begun to look like **** over the last few years. It was never sealed with anything I should add.



I've had it power washed at a fair expense because it takes forever with all the little seams where you can't dwell with the wand or the grout completely blows out. And it still needs a re-application of the swept in locking sand.

Even after all that it never looked like it did. Last year I didn't do anything about it, and this is what it looks like coming out of this winter. I need to get on this during the coronavirus lockdown and have it done before I open the pool in a 3 or 4 weeks from now.





Any ideas? I haven't wanted to spray chemicals but I'm getting over that reluctance. But I don't even know what to use if I did...

[rfuerst911sc]

I have zero expertise about travertine but a few general comments . How does it look after it is power washed and still wet ? I would think that would be a rough recreation of what it would look like with a sealer on it . I would think a sealer would help the cleaned area to look clean longer as any contaminates can't get into the tile . Should be much easier to clean and maybe a power washer wouldn't be needed . Lots of experts on this forum I'm curious what others have to say . When it was installed was there a discussion about sealer or long term care ?

[group911@aol.co]

Sandblasting?

[masraum]

Travertine is a porous material. It's full of holes and voids. I believe before most travertine is installed, the holes and big porosity is filled with something like epoxy or color-matched grout.

I'd think that you'd need to clean, bleach, fill with something, then possibly grout, then seal.

But I'm no expert.

[look 171]

Oh Siht. Is it pitted? Not too much you can do, but call in the pros . It can be filed and re-polish to Matte/ gloss finish. Talk to them about a sealer

[gsxrken]

It’s like a lichen or black mold has gotten hold, especially where the house shades it. But like I said,some Clorox and powerwash helps but doesn’t last. I wonder if there is huge outdoor rotating brushes sort of machine that can take off a few thousandths to get it clean and then some sort of sealer than won’t get so slick someone slips and cracks their skull.

[stealthn]

To clean it use a high concentrate Citris cleaner, scrubbing brush and power wash.

[john70t]

For cleaning there are brush attachments for power washers.
Maybe a rental store or big box rental? Or just buy it and use whenever.
There might be ones separately powered.
That is a big job but you'll save money DIY.


Not sure about cleaners to use. Citrus based sounds about right. Something safe for grass and pool.

Once you get back to raw base material it should be sealed up.
A search brought back a few brands: glaze guard, 511, ole, and many others.
There are gloss and matte finishes.

For later maintenance there are anti-mildew sprays. Someone recommended wet-n-forget but there are others..

[Zeke]

Pool chlorine and Tide. Start with under 5% of each. Pre-wet lightly and scrub. You don't have to go ninja turtle on the scrubbing. It's about duration so don't hurry it. Do it in a cool cloudy time or evening. Keep it wet until it looks good and then use a 5 gal shop vac to pull most of your cleaning solution before hosing it into the grass.

Of course do NOT use any acidic solutions with chlorine. You could also do the chlorine with washing soda or add 1% of WS to your bucket.

[gsxrken]

Some good ideas here. John that attachment looks like the bomb I was looking for. I’ll try a few of the suggestions on a small section and see what works best before I go big.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by gsxrken

John that attachment looks like the bomb I was looking for.

Yep, that's what a lot of pros down here use (lots o' Travertine here in AZ), with or without additional cleaning agents. I'd definitely look into filling/sealing once cleaned, and reapply a quality polymeric sand (in the right color).

Also, it looks like most of that staining is from nearby organic material from the landscaping (grass/dirt/foliage/etc.). It might be a good idea to create a bit of a buffer between the tile and the grass (decorative rock, etc.), and re-think the planter situation/contents, etc. YMMV...

[gsxrken]

That attachment is kicking ass right now. Thanks for the recommendation

[Captain Ahab Jr]

That looks great, it's really cleaning it up well

[flatbutt]

Wow!

[masraum]

Fantastic results!

[daepp]

...dn't forget to seal it!