Our Stone Honing Experts in Phoenix, AZ, Left this Dull Travertine Floor Looking Like New

July 30, 2018

When they first moved into their house in Phoenix, the new homeowners fell in love with the beautiful, tiled travertine floor in the living area. It gave their home the shiny, luxurious look they always desired. Unfortunately, years of foot traffic and spills took their toll on the lustrous stone flooring. They also noticed the floor became increasingly difficult to keep clean as time went on. Dirt had accumulated in the open pores of the stone surface, the grout lines were dark and, more recently, they noticed that any drink or food that fell onto the surface would cause it both to stain and etch.


They tried all kinds of cleaning products and methods, but despite their best efforts, the floor never looked clean. That was when they decided to start looking for answers online. They found out that these issues can happen when the stone is not properly sealed. They were not sure how to proceed because there was no point in re-sealing the surface in its present state. They noticed that people who had experienced the same issue as theirs had had their surfaces honed. Many of them recommended seeking professional help, so the homeowners searched online for stone honing services in Phoenix, AZ and found Sir Grout Phoenix's website in the top results. After they browsed the website and saw the testimonials from previous customers, they decided to schedule a free in-home evaluation.

Finding Out the Problem

Our team of experts arrived at the customer's house to assess the situation. The homeowners told our techs about their efforts to keep the floor clean and how they hoped they could restore it. After they thoroughly inspected the surface, our team noticed it was heavily damaged. Grime had accumulated on the stone's pores and the cleaning products the homeowners had used caused the surface to dull and etch.

Even though the damage was heavy, our experts assured the homeowners their lovely travertine surface could be restored with a stone honing service. This process involves removing the top layer of the stone to reveal a much cleaner surface and to give it a brand-new look. The customers agreed to the service and scheduled another appointment.

Why Stone Surfaces Must be Given Proper Maintenance

Keeping your stone surfaces properly maintained is the most important step you can take to preserve their lifespan. Despite its smooth look, stone surfaces are porous, which means they are exposed to all kinds of external agents on a daily basis. For this reason, after they are installed, stone surfaces are often sealed to protect them from damage. However, sealants can be washed off over time, making the once protected stone tiles susceptible to harm again.

Bad cleaning methods and products can also compromise the looks and integrity of your stone surface. Heavy scrubbing paired with acidic solutions can result in etch marks and stains which cannot be removed by normal means. People often try to restore stone surfaces on their own, but what they do not know is that stone restoration requires special equipment that should only be handled by dedicated professionals in the field of surface restoration.

The Restoration Process

On the agreed-upon date, our experts returned to the customer's home to get the job done. To start, they thoroughly cleaned the surface with a stone-safe cleaner and a high-speed scrubber. This cleaner also coats the surface with a layer of protection that can help inhibit the growth of different microorganisms for up an extended period of time. Once the tiles and grout lines were clean, they honed the stone. Our techs progressively increased the level of grit until they obtained a beautifully honed finish. They finished the procedure by polishing the surface and adding a layer of impregnating sealant that seeps into the surface to protect the stone.

The Results

When the team finished the job, they let the homeowners in to show them the appearance of their brand-new looking floor. The homeowners were thrilled by how Sir Grout Phoenix had managed to restore the surface's former glory. They thanked our team and said they would recommend our services to their friends and family.

Some Tips to Keep Your Stone Surfaces in Top Condition

Before leaving, our experts gave the homeowners some tips on how to properly maintain the floor. First, they recommended wiping away any spills as soon as they happened. Certain foods and drinks have components which can easily damage the surface by seeping into the stone. Second, they suggested using a damp mop to clean the surface along with Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner. This cleaner is stone-safe and can help decrease the number of bacteria on any surface. Finally, the team advised them to keep a check on their sealant at least every three months. To do this, they suggested the homeowners to place a few drops of water on the surface. If the liquid is absorbed, then it means the surface must be resealed.

Stone Honing Services Near You!

When your stone surface seems to have lost its shine, trying to clean it on your own may not be enough. For a professional honing and polishing job in Phoenix, make sure to contact our experts at Sir Grout Phoenix. Call us at (480) 582-1557 or fill out the "Request a Quote" form on this website to schedule a free in-home consultation 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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