A Stone Cleaning Service Renovated This Beautiful Travertine Walkway in Brentwood, TN

October 18, 2018

Waterproofing natural stone has become increasingly important for avoiding mold growth. Mold is a fungus that appears on surfaces such as stone when the conditions are damp and warm and there's presence of organic materials. For this reason, controlling moisture is a must to prevent mold from thriving. Once mold has taken over, eliminating it can be difficult because mold spores are small and can survive ineffective cleaning routines.


Frustration with mold infestation recently led a couple of homeowners from Brentwood, TN to seek professional help. The lovely travertine walkway in their exterior patio no longer looked the way it looked when it was first installed. The couple tried cleaning the mold from the stone, but their efforts yielded no positive results. They decided to look for help online. They found that when it comes to stone surfaces, mold is often the result of improper maintenance. Natural stone tile must be kept sealed at all times. The homeowners were not sure how to proceed because there was no point in sealing the surface in its present state. Some of the websites they found suggested deep cleaning the floor before performing the sealing procedure. Taking into consideration that their DIY methods had not worked, they decided to search for stone cleaning experts in Brentwood and found or website in the top results. After they browsed the site and saw the positive testimonials from previous customers, they decided to schedule a free in-home evaluation.

Finding the Problem's Source

Our team of experts arrived at the customer's house to inspect the travertine floor. Our team immediately noticed mold had set into the stone surfaces in the patio, making it impossible to remove by conventional means. One of our techs asked the homeowners if they had recently given the travertine floors proper maintenance. They said that in addition to their recent cleaning attempts, the floor had not been cleaned or sealed since it was first installed a few years prior. The answer given by the clients helped them better understand the situation at hand.

It was clear to Sir Grout Nashville's team that mold was there to stay as long as the floors were not well kept. By doing something as simple as watering the plants, the clients had constantly exposed the unprotected stone surfaces to moisture, creating a perfect environment for mold growth. Even though the spread of mold was severe, our team assured the homeowners their beautiful travertine surfaces could be restored with a thorough stone cleaning service accompanied by a sealing procedure. The customers agreed to our proposal and scheduled another appointment for later that week.

Getting Rid of the Mold

On the agreed-upon date, our team returned to the customer's home to perform the cleaning and sealing procedure. To start, they soaked the travertine surfaces with a stone-safe cleaner. This cleaning solution coats the stone and keeps it protected from harmful microorganisms for an extended period of time after it has been applied. After letting the cleaner rest on the surfaces for a couple of minutes, they began the deep-cleaning process by using a high-speed scrubber to remove the mold. Our experts made sure to be thorough and to not leave any trace of mold behind.


Once the travertine surfaces were clean, our techs rinsed them with a power washer to remove all the residue left from the previous step. They finished the job by sealing the stone surfaces with an impregnating sealant that seeps deep into the stone to keep it protected from mold and moisture.

A Mold-Free Walkway

When the team finished the cleaning and sealing procedures, they let the homeowners see the results. The customers were amazed by how Sir Grout Nashville had managed to bring back the original appearance of the travertine. Our tech showed the customers how water should look over a properly sealed stone surface by letting a few drops of water fall onto the floor. Once they did, the drops beaded up on the stone as opposed to seeping in. The clients thanked our experts and said they would recommend our services to anyone in need of a stone cleaning and sealing service.

Tips to Keep Your Stone Surfaces in Great Condition

Before leaving, our experts gave the homeowners some other tips to keep the travertine floor properly maintained. First, they recommended cleaning once a week with a pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaner such a Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner. Not only can this cleaner help with keeping the surface clean, it can also help with keeping the natural stone free of mold due to its properties. Second, they advised the customers to be more careful when watering the plants to avoid excess moisture. Finally, our team reminded the clients to keep a check on their sealant regularly. To do this, they suggested the homeowners place a few drops of water on the surface. If the liquid is absorbed, then it means the surface must be resealed.

Hire a Stone Cleaning Service Near You!

Are your natural stone surfaces affected by mold? Trying to clean it on your own might not be enough. For a professional stone cleaning job in Brentwood or nearby areas, make sure to contact Sir Grout Nashville's experts in hard surface restoration. Call us at (615) 649-6767 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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