Travertine Maintenance

May 20th, 2013 Posted in Paver Driveways
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Homeowners looking to invest in a travertine outdoor patio or pool deck routinely ask the question: once installed, does travertine require a lot of maintenance? The short answer is: if installed and cared for properly, travertine is relatively easy to maintain. 

Maintenance of any travertine depends largely on whether it is sealed. A type of limestone, travertine is porous and alkaline and stains very easily. Sealing will help protect the tile if it is installed in a heavily used area such as a porch or outdoor patio, where food and drink is often spilled. Sealing enhances the color of the stone and makes it more slippery, so homeowners tend not to use sealants on pool decks. 

Sealed or not, travertine should be cared for and maintained keeping the following Do’s in mind: 

Do reapply sealant if you do choose to seal a travertine paved area. Depending on the brand of sealant and how much sun the pavers get, re-application should be done every six months to one year.  

Do wipe spills up immediately to avoid stains. 

Do use an alkaline cleaner or soapy water, avoiding ammonia or citrus based products, as they will stain or erode the finish on the travertine.  

Do use a pressure cleaner on the travertine, especially unsealed travertine around pool areas, every year or so to avoid mildew buildup. 

Do purchase extra pavers when you lay the travertine. All natural stone can vary greatly from lot to lot, so if you need to replace a tile down the road, you can be sure the color matches. Travertine installers and manufacturers generally recommend you purchase about 10 percent more than what you need for your project. 

Do clean a test patch before proceeding with the entire deck or patio so you can be sure the cleaning product will work and won’t do any damage.

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What is the Big Deal About Travertine?

May 20th, 2013 Posted in Paver Driveways
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In flooring and paving circles, travertine is the buzz word of late. Homeowners, especially those with luxury homes, are specifically requesting travertine for their pool decks, driveways and indoor flooring. 

But what exactly is travertine, anyway? 

Technically speaking, travertine is a stone found near warm or hot springs. Often called travertine marble or travertine limestone, travertine is actually not a marble at all, but a type of limestone. Its natural color ranges from white to dark beige to pink and coral and the stone has an abundance of tiny holes and troughs, which are sometimes filled with grout. Travertine is also sometimes polished for a smooth and shiny finish. 

Most of the world’s travertine has traditionally come from Italy, although with its recent rise in popularity, it is now being mined in Turkey, Peru, Mexico and even the United States. Exceptionally strong and durable, travertine is widely used in building facades and large structures. The most famous travertine structure is probably the Coliseum in Rome. Others include the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Willis Tower in Chicago. 

As a paving material, travertine is ideal for pool areas and outdoor patios, and is especially popular right now in Florida and other warm states. Travertine is not only a hard natural material, it also resists weather damage and discoloring. And best of all, unlike brick or cement, travertine stays cool to the touch, so little feet never get burned from the sun.

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Some Varieties of Travertine Pavers

January 4th, 2013 Posted in Paver Driveways
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Travertine, a natural stone of the limestone family, is one of the many materials used to make landscaping pavers. What sets travertine pavers apart from other types of pavers however is the stone’s unique texture coupled with its marble-like appearance. Travertine pavers are also much sought after for their attractive ivory, cream, and gold colors. Travertine’s durability, heat-resistant qualities, and rustic charm make it the ideal choice for patios, walkways, entryways, and pool decks. Below are a few varieties of travertine pavers. 

1)      Filled travertine

Travertine pavers are described as ‘filled’ when small holes, cracks, and other surface irregularities have been smoothed out with grout.  Not all of the holes and craters are filled since these irregularities are what give travertine its unique texture and character. Travertine is usually filled prior to honing or polishing, although some filled travertine pavers are not honed.

2)      Honed travertine

Honed travertine pavers have been sanded with an abrasive to make them smoother and flatter than they normally would be. The process changes the appearance of the stone, giving it a dull, matte finish. Honed travertine may be filled or unfilled. Honed travertine pavers stain more noticeably compared to polished ones.

3)      Polished

Polished travertine pavers are those which have been polished with a special gem abrasive to give them a smooth and shiny look. Unlike other types of travertine pavers which need to be sealed in order to prevent staining, polished travertine pavers are very resistant to staining and usually do not require sealing.  Polished travertine pavers are not as natural-looking as the other types of travertine pavers, and floors paved with polished travertine are slippery when wet.

4)      Tumbled

Tumbled travertine pavers are those which have been treated in a tumbling machine to soften the edges, allowing for a closer fit during installation. Tumbled travertine pavers look and feel more natural than other types of travertine pavers because they have more texture and reflect less light. Tumbled travertine is porous and needs to be sealed to prevent etching and staining.

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Paver Driveways

February 27th, 2011 Posted in Paver Driveways
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If you are building a new home, or looking for a way to add to the attractiveness of your existing home, consider installing a beautiful new paver driveway.  Not only do interlocking paver driveways add to the beauty and value of your home, they have many advantages over concrete or asphalt driveways.

Interlocking pavers are concrete, brick or stone blocks that are manufactured in a wide variety of shapes, colors and styles.  Each paver is designed to interlock with the adjacent pavers to minimize movement and maximize weight distribution. 

Interlocking pavers require less maintenance than asphalt or concrete driveways and because they allow for some movement, they can expand and contract with heat and cold and will not crack like concrete or asphalt. 

Pavers are also much easier to repair than concrete or asphalt driveways.  Repairs involve removing the affected pavers and replacing them.  If the ground has shifted or if the area had to be dug out under the driveway for some reason, the ground can be leveled and the pavers reinstalled.  Unlike a concrete or asphalt driveway, the repair will be virtually invisible. 

Installing a paver driveway is something best left to an experienced landscaper.  Pavers are relatively easy to install and many do-it yourselfers install their own patios and walkways, but for a large project like a driveway that will be bearing a lot of weight you will get a better, more durable driveway by having it installed by a professional.  When you are ready to install an attractive new paver driveway, call a reputable local landscaping company that specializes in installing interlocking pavers.

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Paver Driveway Repairs

February 27th, 2011 Posted in Paver Driveways
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Paver driveways add an aesthetically pleasing element to any home or business.  Interlocking pavers are available in a huge array of colors, textures, and styles and the arrangement of the pavers is only limited by your imagination. 

One of the many advantages of interlocking paver driveways is that they are easily repaired.  Paver driveways need very little maintenance and usually give great service year after year, but the soil under almost any driveway will shift or settle over time. Tree roots can also grow under the driveway over the years.  

With a concrete or asphalt driveway, the result will be cracks and breaks in the concrete or asphalt that can only be repaired by cutting out that section and replacing it.  The repaired section will be obviously different than the rest of the old driveway.  In addition, sometimes a water line or other utility line that runs under a driveway needs to be replaced or repaired and the only way to get to it is to break up the driveway and pour new asphalt or concrete.

With paver driveway repairs, a repair can easily be made by a professional landscaper or paver driveway company that will not be noticeable.  Interlocking pavers allow for some movement between the pavers so the pavers themselves rarely crack or break.  Shallow ruts or depressions may form where the ground has settled, or a high spot may develop where tree roots have grown under the driveway, but the pavers are usually still in good shape. 

To repair these areas, the pavers in the affected areas are carefully removed and the bed is leveled as needed and then compacted.  The pavers are then reinstalled and the repaired driveway is ready for many more years of great service.

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Paver Driveway Maintenance

February 27th, 2011 Posted in Paver Driveways
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If you have a paver driveway, you know how much curb appeal it adds to your home.  Your beautiful paver driveway is attractive, functional, and best of all it needs very little maintenance. 

However, a paver driveway needs a little maintenance over the years to keep it looking and working great.  Proper maintenance of your paver driveway will help it last for many years and preserve its beauty. 

Over time, a paver driveway can be expected to develop low or high spots.  These are the result of the ground settling or tree roots growing under the driveway.  One of the great advantages of paver driveways is that unlike a concrete or asphalt driveway, these high and low spots can be repaired without leaving any signs of the repair.  A paver driveway contractor or landscaper can remove the pavers, level the area, and reinstall the pavers.  Once the repair is made, the driveway will look like new again and be ready for many more years of service.  The repair will not be noticeable.  There is no unsightly repaired area like you would have with a concrete or asphalt driveway. 

A paver driveway may also be infiltrated by grass and weeds.  Periodic treatment with grass and weed killer will keep this under control.  Be sure to properly trim the grass along the edge of the driveway to keep the lawn from growing over the edge. 

Other maintenance includes removal of oil stains and sealing the pavers.  You should leave these jobs to a professional to avoid bleaching or altering the color of the pavers.  When you need paver driveway maintenance, contact an experienced paver driveway specialist or landscaper.

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