Nature Destroyed This Travertine in an Empty Home in Katy, TX. Could Stone Honing Make It Shine Again?

June 18, 2015

A beautiful home in Katy, TX sat unused. Not so much as a dinner had ever been hosted, nor drop of coffee spilled on the sleek travertine that was installed just three years earlier. When Nate Storen finally checked in on his elegant second home, he was greeted with more than just a heavy coat of dust - half of his beautiful travertine floor was dull and scuffed. Nothing had touched the floor. How was this terrible discoloration possible? Nate did not know where to even begin. The last thing he wanted to do was buy a new travertine floor and be put out of his home for construction. After searching for a reliable company with travertine experience, he discovered that Sir Grout had a Katy stone honing and renewal service. He signed up for a free evaluation, hoping that they would not just tell him that his entire floor would need to be torn up. After all, half the floor was still in perfect condition! It was a mystery – a frustrating one.



The Southwestern climate is both volatile and harsh. Houston and surrounding areas like Fort Bend enjoy strong sunlight and humidity in the summer, and can experience flooding as well as snowfall during fall and winter. Pollen, dirt, salt, and spills can all weather even the most durable stone floor. Since no one had walked on this floor, and there were no signs of water damage, the only exposure was obvious: the sunlight had damaged the floor's surface over time, creating a deviation only in the places where the windows let in UV rays. While most people purchase travertine for its combined beauty and durability, they don't realize that without proper maintenance, UV rays can fade colors and cause discoloration. If Nate had left his blinds closed while away from his home, he may never have experienced the issue.

Nate was on edge for the evaluation – would they be able to fix his barely-used floor? Sir Grout's team of trained stone care professionals arrived on the day of the estimate to take a closer look. They recommended a dual strategy of honing and then re-polishing the floor to eliminate the discoloration and bring back the shine.

The team selected abrasives to remove the fading that had been caused by UV exposure. To guarantee the travertine returned to its original color, they carefully smoothed the stone, giving it a smoother finish. The restoration gave the travertine a smooth, satiny finish, indistinguishable from the other, untouched half of the floor. To guarantee the floor was protected from stains, the team polished the stone after honing it. This increased the luster. A sealer was applied as a preventative measure against traffic, dirt, and spills. Check out the beautiful new sheen on the travertine!

At Sir Grout of Houston, we take on even the most challenging stone restorations. We want to ensure that Mr. Nate, and every customer we serve, are able to affordably maintain high-quality stone, with long-lasting treatments. "The travertine looks absolutely seamless!" Nate was surprised at the flawless job. "Thank you so much! I'm amazed we didn't have to replace it."

Customers like Nate Storen are often encouraged to replace perfectly good stone. We know how to restore luxurious stones so that your investment stays beautiful and never looks its age. Travertine is a great stone for durability, but it can be faded by UV rays, and the protective seal can become scratched, dulling the surface. Homeowners must maintain travertine to maximize the appearance of its many hues.

If your travertine floor is dull or mottled, it may be time for a stone renewal. Contact Katy's local stone honing service – Sir Grout of Houston. Fill out the form below to contact Sir Grout for a free evaluation today!

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