The final stage of all travertine cleaning, polishing or restoration service is the application of a sealant. Travertine sealing can be broken down into impregnating and surface sealants.
Impregnating sealants penetrate the capillaries of the stone and protect from within. They can leave your travertine with a natural, or colour-enhanced appearance, but always with the stone surface exposed. Because stone is porous, this sealant is essential to stop any spillages onto the stone penetrating within and damaging the internal structure and causing a deep set stain.
Surface sealants form a physical barrier between the stone and the environment. Modern sealants are either wax or polymer-based, which can achieve matt, satin or gloss finishes to the stone. Such sealants however cannot be applied outdoors or in wet areas as they are affected by moisture. They are also ineffective if applied to a polished surface as they cannot penetrate the surface sufficiently to bond.
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Contrary to popular belief, impregnating sealants themselves don’t degrade over time. The pores and capillaries that were originally sealed will remain so, however abrasion caused by foot-traffic will create and expose new pores and capillaries which will require additional sealant. Usually, the more people or pets in the property the more frequently the protection will need to be reapplied.
Surface sealants on the other hand are designed to be a sacrificial layer, to protect the stone surface from the external environment. This means that liquid spillages and abrasion will impact the sealant and not the stone surface. These sealants will also be impacted by repeated cleaning regimes.
For more information on how to look after your floor, click on the link below to request a copy of our Athena Aftercare guide.
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We follow up with all of our clients around 1 year to 18 months after our initial visit, based on our professional opinion of when further work is likely to be necessary. We can also provide a price for maintenance immediately on request. However, we would still recommend re-visiting before commencing work to re-familiarise ourselves with your stone
Keeping your natural stone looking stunning is something that we are passionate about. If you have had your stone treated or restored by the Athena Stonecare team then you will have been left with a guide explaining how to care for it. To purchase any of the products mentioned in the guide click here.
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Really happy, both with the quality of the worktop finish (ring marks, be gone!) and with the Athena Stonecare experience overall. Am sure we’ll be using them again.
Our whole experience with Athena Stonecare was outstanding from quote to aftercare. We had our marble worktops and travertine floor restored. The settlement cracks on the floor have completely vanished. It has been a pleasure dealing with a firm who cares about it’s customers, everyone involved was super polite and helpful. I would highly recommend.
Dave and his team did such a brilliant job restoring our limestone bathroom floors which someone used bleach on by accident. We thought they were ruined but Athena made them look like new again! I would highly recommend them and we will definitely use them for future cleaning and maintenance. Thank you Athena!
I would highly recommend Athena Stonecare, they have done an amazing job on our twenty year old limestone floors, they look better than they did new! Dave and his team were very professional, tidy, trustworthy and efficient.
Excellent, efficient and courteous service . My marble floor looks new and my bathroom walls look amazing. I’m really pleased with the work and the outcome. It only took one day to complete with minimum disruption. Would definitely recommend and will use again and again.
Dave and his partner fully deserve the five star rating. They did a perfect job, on time and on budget. The pool surround which, after 30 years of lime build-up, looked like mud, now, after Dave has worked his magic, looks beautiful again ,showing all the lovely colouring and striations. It’s a joy to see each morning.
