Color Sealing / Grout Cleaning:

http://www.ajcfood.com/ Grout Color Sealing Atlanta

http://www.amli.com/apartments/atlanta/ Tile Cleaning Alpharetta

http://www.aarcherservices.com/ Grout Color Sealing John’s Creek

http://www.ceramictechnics.com/ Tile Stripping Decatur, GA

http://www.ccwa.us/ Tile Color Sealing Stockbridge, GA

http://www.newhorizonsbank.com/ Marble Cleaning Ellijay, GA

http://www.chattahoocheetech.edu/ Tile Color Sealing Acworth, GA

http://www.rosamexicano.com Tile Cleaning Atlanta, GA

Marble Cleaning – Marble Polishing – Limestone Cleaning

http://www.amtrak.com Marble Honing and Polishing Atlanta, GA

http://www.madison-pm.com/ Travertine Honing and Polishing Atlanta, GA

http://www.brookstonecc.com/ Marble Grinding, Honing, and Polishing Acworth, GA

http://www.crowneofficesuites.com Marble Polishing Smyrna, GA

http://dependableservices.com/ Travertine Repairs Roswell, GA

http://www.akzonobel.com/eka/ Travertine Cleaning Marietta, GA

http://www.paulding.gov/ Terrazzo Grinding, Honing, and Polishing Dallas, GA

http://www.tparealtyservices.com/ Marble Honing and Polishing Dunwoody, GA

http://www.uptownsportsbarandgrill.net/ Marble Stripping and Cleaning East Point, GA

Concrete Polishing -  Concrete Overlays

http://www.condominiumconcepts.com Concrete Polishing Buckhead

http://www.harrisoncontracting.com/ Concrete Cleaning and Sealing Atlanta, GA

http://www.jcatgcm.com/ Acid Stain repairs Atlanta, GA

http://www.memberclicks.com/ Concrete overlay Atlanta, GA

http://www.rclflooring.com/ Elite Crete Overlay Atlanta, GA

http://www.sherwoodassocs.com/ Decorative Concrete Atlanta, GA

If you have travertine most likely what we talk about in this post will be relevant for you.  Maybe you have travertine holes that seemingly appear out of nowhere?  Often heavy objects are pulled across a floor without regard or a heavy object has been dropped on the travertine.  Cleaning travertine holes can present a challenge as well, but why are they there to begin with?

The fact is that the holes are there – in many places they just have not been brought to your attention – yet.    Here are two pictures for you to consider.  The picture on the left is the travertine bought new from the store.  The picture on the right is the same tile flipped over showing us the back.  Notice anything different?

The travertine holes that you are seeing are the result of being exposed due to the very thin layer above them being damaged.  Where there are no holes on this tile we will not have any problems from the topside, but on the other hand if there is a void just below the surface then it has the possibility of being exposed.

What causes most of the travertine holes being exposed?  Generally it is weight that happens to be concentrated on a single point at the wrong or vulnerable spot.  No one did anything wrong it was merely a circumstance of the travertine stone. Here is an explanation from a physics perspective from School for Science:

Example with shoes

A good example of how a force on small area can result in a very high pressure is seen in women’s shoes with high spiked heels. These types of shoes can cause damage to some floors due to the very high pressure on the floor at the heel.

An average shoe distributes the weight of the person over 20 square inches. Thus, a 100-pound person applies 100/20 = 5 pounds per square inch on the floor.

Since a spike-heel is only 0.25 square inches, the 100-pound person would be applying 100/0.25 = 400 pounds per square inch on the floor at the heel! In some cases, that is sufficient to damage the floor.

Now what can you do about it?

When your travertine is a very low hone (very little to no reflection) then you can generally install matching sanded grout to fill the void.  With travertine that has a higher reflection then the difficulty in repairing them should be left to a professional.   Matching tile sheen and colors can be tricky.

When cleaning travertine holes it is important to vacuum out the holes very thoroughly.  Be careful as the hole can spread as the edges get crushed by further impacts making repairs that much more difficult!

Granite, Marble, Concrete, Tile, Quartz, and many other man-made options are what most select.

Why am I writing about Marble Counter-tops you ask?  Because of the high number of phone calls that I get from someone who had them installed months, weeks, or even days ago.  And they are having problems already.

Note:  Not all marbles are acid sensitive, most are however.  The calls I get are obviously from the latter.

Sadly it seems that most installers are not giving the right care instructions or none at all.  Taking care of granite counters are 100 percent different than marble counters.  Assuming that our clients know the difference is a severe lack of communication.  Ok, now that I got that off my chest, lets move on.

Your new Marble Counter-tops need special care or awareness from the very beginning in their new home.  No longer can you clean them with just anything.  Now you have to watch what you clean the mirrors over the counters with as well!  Most glass cleaners will dull the marble over time, some instantly.  Can you picture the spray that drops onto the counters as you mist the glass?  That is going to harm the marble.

Drink glasses that get set on top of the counters typically have acidic beverages in them -  yes these are going to etch the counters as well.  Now your typical cleaners sold in stores come to rest on the surface, some harm it and some do not.  If they are tile and grout cleaners than most likely they are going to harm the surface.  We cannot cover everything that will harm your marble counters in just one article, but let me just say that anything acidic in nature  will.  Make-up products and After Shaves are the biggest culprits.

What can you do then to have your beautiful tops with their wonderful veining?  Here are a couple of ideas for you to consider:

• Only use safe for marble neutral pH products on your marble counters
• We recommend MB-1 from MBStone.com
• For your glass cleaner, use the same diluted neutral based cleaner or water
• Consider purchasing a 12″x12″ (or the best size for your counters) beveled piece of glass with felt feet and using that to set your drink glasses on.

These few ideas should go a long way toward keeping your new marble counters in great shape.  Good Luck!

The finish turned out great!  Your work yesterday really brought the floor home.

Feel free to send clients over to see your work!

My Best,

Mr. Williams (Atlanta)

Travertine is one of the natural stones that we are called on the most.  Many times the wrong cleaners are used and in the end etch the travertine.  When acidic drinks or products come into contact with travertine, the result is the inevitable “dull dot”. Care should always be given when anything of an acidic nature is used above this floor surface.
Peak Floor Solutions has the training and ability to transform this damage back to the original sheen and color!

Be sure to look at the Tile and Stone Cleaning Guide we have provided in the Client Resources Section of the website.  The recommendations and tips will help keep your stone looking great for many years to come.

Peak Floor Solutions has really enjoyed watching the transformations that can be accomplished using all of the Elite Crete product line.  We have had projects ranging from commercial offices to residential basements.

For more information at our Decorative Concrete Website visit Elitecrete Atlanta.

Many of the basements had water damage after Atlanta’s record rains this past fall. [read more]
Carpets and laminate wood floors were removed and a stained concrete overlay of the surface was performed.  Decorative saw cutting patterns into a floor opens up the true possibilities of each project.  Tile patterns, borders, and sweeping arches are very popular.  Your imagination is the only limit when it comes to a concrete overlay!  These floors are a one of a kind hand crafted art.

To help you in your research, much more information is available at Elitecrete’s website.

Remember to look at the Tile and Stone Cleaning Guide that is under Client Resources in the above menu or from the button on the right hand side of every page.

The floor looks gorgeous!!!  Finally something went right in my kitchen.  I will spread the word.

You were a pleasure to work with, much success in your business.

Mr. and Mrs. Braswell (Marietta)

We just wanted to thank you again for the absolutely superb job that you did on our paver floor.  You arrived just as planned daily, you were always in good spirits even jovial, but most importantly, you made our 30 year old dull drab kitchen floor look brand new and alive again!!  It is terrific to find an independently owned company that really takes pride in their work and products!

Thank you so much again!

Mr. and Mrs. Cossman (Roswell)