Our Stone Cleaning Service in Riverton, NJ Brought Life Back to This Etched Travertine Shower

March 22, 2019

Not knowing how to keep travertine surfaces properly maintained can lead to several problems. For a homeowner in Riverton, NJ that was certainly the case. He had been living in his lovely home for almost two years. A few months prior, he noticed the natural stone in his master shower wasn't in good shape. The once elegant travertine tiles had been overcome by stains, soap scum, grime, and dirty-looking grout lines. He tried cleaning the shower's surfaces with different over-the-counter products and homemade recipes that had been recommended to him. The shower initially looked cleaner, but it quickly returned to poor condition.


Frustrated, he decided to search online for advice. He learned these issues are common when travertine is not properly sealed. He also learned that certain types of cleaners can further deteriorate natural stone. He read many accounts from people who had experienced issues similar to his. Most had their travertine surfaces thoroughly cleaned prior to sealing them. This prompted the homeowner to search for stone cleaning experts in Riverton, NJ. He found us within the top results, and after browsing our website and seeing the feedback from previous customers, he requested a free in-home evaluation.

A couple of days after the appointment was made, our team of experts arrived at the customer's residence to assess the travertine shower. The homeowner told our crew about his efforts to keep the shower in good condition and the products he had used. After thoroughly inspecting the surface, our techs concluded it was heavily damaged. Dirt and soap scum had accumulated on the tiles and grout, and the homemade cleaning products the client had used caused the travertine to stain. On top of that, mold began growing on the shower's joints.

Improper cleaning methods and certain products can compromise the appearance and integrity of any surface. The products the homeowner used to clean the shower ate away at the grout lines and the stone. Both grout and natural stone are porous, which means they can easily absorb water and other harmful substances. For this reason, it's best to keep them sealed.

Despite having a dingy appearance, the damage on the shower's surface was not severe, so the integrity of its surfaces was not compromised. Our specialists assured the homeowner his travertine shower could be restored with a two-step procedure. First, they would thoroughly clean the shower's surfaces. Second, they would seal the tiles and grout lines with our proprietary sealants. The customer agreed to the service and scheduled another appointment for the job.


On the day of the job, our team went back to the client's house to perform the restoration procedure. To start, they soaked the travertine surfaces with a stone-safe cleaner. This cleaner contains properties that help reduce the number of bacteria on any surface after it has been applied. It can also help inhibit the growth of mold and mildew. Next, they used a high-speed scrubber to remove the grime and soap scum from the tiles and grout lines. They also used a vapor steam cleaner to ensure the mold was completely removed.

After cleaning, our techs finished the job by applying both of our flagship sealants to the tiles and grout lines. First, they filled the grout lines with ColorSeal. This is an acrylic-based mixture that keeps grout protected from water, dirt, mold, mildew, and other external agents. Next, they coated the surfaces with Stone Armor. Not only does this sealant add an extra layer of protection for the grout, it also keeps tile fresh and free from damage.

After they finished the job, our experts showed the client the results. He was amazed and happy with how his natural stone shower looked. He thanked our experts for a well-performed service and mentioned he had made the right choice by choosing Sir Grout Central New Jersey for the job.

Before leaving, our techs gave the customer some tips on how to properly maintain his travertine shower. First, they suggested cleaning the surface once a week using a damp mop along with a pH-neutral stone-safe cleaner such as Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner. Second, they advised him to keep a check on the state of the sealant at least every three months. To do this, they suggested placing a few drops of water on the surface. If the water seeps in, the stone must be re-sealed. Finally, our experts recommended staying away from homemade recipes and DIY cleaning methods because these can lead to costly repairs.

Trying to restore travertine on your own might not be the best course of action. It's best to leave it in the hands of professionals. Sir Grout Central New Jersey has the necessary tools and expertise to deliver the best stone restoration services in the home service industry. Call us at (732) 466-7566 or fill out the "Request a Quote" form at the bottom of this page to schedule a free in-home evaluation today. Also, if you want to keep up with our latest news and promotions, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter.

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