Travertine cleaning and sealing in Mona Vale

Travertine in Mona Vale turns up in three main settings: around backyard pools, on rear terraces and alfresco areas, and on apartment balconies near the town centre. Close to the beach, spray and pool splash combine to push salt into the stone, and the coping edge slowly pits and flakes. Away from the beach, the bigger issues are shade and gardens: mould in corners, and tannin marks from leaves and flowers left lying after rain. Busy family pools add sunscreen, food oils and drink spills. As the years pass, filler washes out of the natural holes, which then trap grit. Acidic cleaners must stay away, because travertine is a limestone and acid etches it.

For family pool areas, our technicians use mild alkaline and neutral stone cleaners, worked over the surface and into the holes with soft rotary pads, then rinsed gently. The pool is covered throughout and rinse water is collected, and we tell you plainly when the area is dry and clear for children and pets again. Apartment balconies get a drip-free setup so nothing reaches the balcony below. As we go, we point out etching, worn patches and open holes, and tap along the coping for loose pieces that need re-bedding before sealing. Etched areas can be honed if you want an even finish.

Once the travertine is dry, open holes are filled with a filler chosen to blend with the stone, and an impregnating sealer made for salt and chlorinated water is applied in thin, even coats and wiped back so the deck keeps its natural grip under wet feet. If you would like more depth of colour, an enhancing version can be sampled first. Near the beach we seal only on a still, dry day. Keeping pool chemistry balanced also helps, since low-pH splash water can etch even sealed travertine. Water-drop test the coping each year and re-seal when the drops soak in; we keep a record of the product used.