Travertine cleaning and sealing in Centennial Park
Behind the Federation houses of Centennial Park, newer pool terraces and loggias are often travertine. We clean it without acid and seal it to cope with leaves and pool water.
- Centennial Park 2021
- $20 million public liability
- Price on request
Travertine at a Centennial Park home usually belongs to a later addition: a pool terrace, a rear loggia or a path linking the house to the garden. It looks very different from the sandstone at the front and needs entirely different treatment. Under the parkland trees, travertine collects leaf stains in its open holes, grows a grey film in shaded corners and darkens along the pool coping where water splashes and dries. Where the pool is salt-chlorinated, the coping edge can turn rough over time as salt crystallises inside the stone. These problems are far easier to manage early than once the surface has started to break up.
Acid and travertine do not mix. Because the stone is calcium carbonate, acidic cleaners, including many sold for pool scale or patios, dissolve the surface and leave dull, etched patches. Our technicians use alkaline stone cleaners and a slow rotary brush to work into the holes, followed by a gentle rinse. The pool gets a cover, lawns and beds are protected, and all run-off is collected. Existing etching is shown to you on the walk-around beforehand. It is a honing job, not a cleaning one, and it is better understood before the clean than noticed afterwards. Many patio products sold in hardware stores fall into the acidic group, so the history of what has been used matters too.
Once the travertine has dried properly, which under trees can take a little longer, open holes are refilled with a colour-matched travertine filler. A penetrating sealer suited to pool environments is then applied in thin coats and the surplus wiped off so no film is left to scuff or go slippery. That keeps the terrace's grip and natural look. Before leaving we confirm how long the pool area and outdoor furniture should rest, and log the product and date for your files. Sweeping leaves off regularly and a water-drop check each summer will tell you when the surface needs attention again.
Frequently asked questions
Travertine questions we hear in Centennial Park.
Why are there dark marks in the holes of our travertine?
Leaf tannin and dirt collect in open holes. A deep clean removes them, and refilling the holes stops them collecting again.
Our travertine has dull patches near the pool. Is it dirt?
Sometimes, but dull patches are often etching from acidic products. Dirt cleans off; etching needs honing and resealing.
How long before we can use the pool after sealing?
It depends on the sealer and the weather. We confirm the exact time on the day, usually within a day or two.
Can you work on our travertine loggia without moving furniture?
Furniture needs to come off the area being cleaned and sealed. We can move it with you and return it once the surface has cured.