Our Stone Polishing Service in Houston, TX, Turned This Travertine Floor from Dark to Spark

July 13, 2018

Polished stone floors need regular maintenance to keep them in good shape. Without it, the stone will lose its polish and start to look dull. For this homeowner who had planned to sell his house in Houston, that was exactly the case. He had very little time to give proper maintenance to the floor in his living room area, giving it an uninviting look that could drive away any potential buyers.


Having scheduled the making of the pictures and displays of his home for the following week, he needed to find a solution right away, which prompted him to go online and look for help. Since his home was located in Houston, he tried doing a local search for Houston Stone Polishing professionals. To his surprise, he immediately found a company that provided the services he needed, Sir Grout Houston. After browsing the website and seeing that several stone polishing jobs had been carried out with success, he decided to fill in the online form to get a free in-home evaluation and quote.

When our team of experts arrived to see what they could do to help the customer, they came across the surface in question: a beautiful travertine floor. After inspecting it, they determined that a polishing service was necessary to restore the now dim-looking surface to its former glory. Despite its dull-looking appearance, there were not any major scratches or stains on the entirety of the surface. Our team then went with their initial idea and offered the customer a stone polishing service, which he agreed to.

Travertine is a very resilient stone that has been used in construction for a very long time. Buildings such as the Coliseum in Rome in Italy, are vivid examples of its ability to stand the test of time. This stone can also be polished to a smooth and very shiny finish which is commonly available in tile for floor installations. Many people consider travertine surfaces to be a great investment for their home because they can add to the total value of a property while being far more accessible than other options, such as marble.

Despite its advantages, it has some disadvantages as well. For example, even though it looks smooth, travertine actually has a porous composition, making it very easy for a surface to wear and tear over time. This makes them a very care-intensive surface that requires proper maintenance. Additionally, acidic substances, whether it is from a lemon or a cleaning product, can potentially cause permanent stains on travertine surfaces, because acidic solvents react when mixed with the calcium carbonate of the stone. Overall, these types of surfaces require extensive care in comparison to other flooring options in order to preserve their beauty and lasting sense of elegance.

On the day of the job, our experts began by cleaning the entirety of the surface with a pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaning product backed by the use of a high-speed scrubber that gently removes the dirt from the floor. This product has been enhanced with an ingredient that can help inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, mold and microorganisms. They quickly honed the surface to remove any damage and to create a smooth finish. To achieve the shining look seen in the after picture, they started polishing with stone-safe products and buffing tools while using a wet vacuum during each step to remove all the residue. Finally, they sealed the area with Stone Armor. This is our proprietary stone sealant that helps preserve the surface's appearance.

When they showed the customer the results, he was extremely happy. Not only was he pleased by the results, but also how it was done in such a timely manner, taking only one day, during the weekend, and leaving his home ready to sell. He honestly could not believe how elegant the home looked with its brand-new looking floor.

Our team gave the customer some recommendations before they left to maximize the shiny life of the surface, explaining how it should always be cleaned with a natural stone cleaner to prevent any damage other products might bring. Additionally, they mentioned it is important to clean regularly and keep an eye open for any spills from food or drinks, as some might be acidic enough to damage the stone. The client thanked them and said he would pass the information to whomever purchased the house, so they could preserve the floor's shine for years to come.

Are your stone surfaces dull and scratched? Are you in need of a polishing service? If you are in Houston or the surrounding areas, make sure to contact Sir Grout Houston. Give us a call at (713) 856-9586 or fill out the "Request a Quote" form on this website to schedule a free in-home evaluation. You can also keep up with our latest work and promotions by subscribing to our newsletter.

If you found this article helpful then let us know in the comments section below. Likewise, feel free to share it using the share options below. Want us to cover another topic of your interest pertaining to Hard Surface Restoration? If so, then like us and follow us on social media, and post to any of our social media profiles the topic you'd like us to discuss: Facebook Sir Grout Houston, Instagram @sirgrout, and Twitter @SirGrout.