Travertine holes can be repaired to match color and gloss level of surrounding travertine so that the repairs do not look like repairs. We have seen many repairs done by others that either the color doesn’t blend, or the repaired hole is not flush level with the top of the stone, or just looks like someone put gum in the hole to fill. This angled photo shows that even large holes can be repaired properly.
Travertine’s Achilles heel is that voids within the travertine tile will get exposed and open when subject to abrasion from foot traffic, pivot points like in front of sinks and from chairs rolling or sliding back and forth. The size and depth of holes can vary from tile to tile, and even within the same installation in a high wear area where one tile will have no holes and the tile next to it is full of holes.
Holes can be repaired using epoxy, polyester resins, traverfill and cementitious fillers to strengthen and consolidate and match the surrounding travertine finish. Determining which filler to use depends on how many holes to be filled, level of gloss to match surrounding Travertine and current conditions and use of the floor.
Holes in Travertine are a common occurrence. They can form when the thin layer of stone above the natural voids in the travertine breaks or wears through exposing the hole. This can often happen where chairs are rolled or in high traffic areas. Filling Travertine holes can be accomplished with resin based or cementitious based fillers.
Formal entry foyer and kitchens can look dirty even when cleaned when holes open up causing shadows that look like something is on your floor, until you go to pick it up and realize that it’s a hole.
When Travertine holes are properly repaired, they will not look like repairs. When filling travertine holes, it is important to match as close as possible to the surrounding Travertine colors.
This repairs show how the repair is flush with the surrounding stone making it difficult to find. We have seen many times where a previous company attempt of repair has shrunk into the hole or is bumpy in texture.
It is not uncommon in a high pivot area such as in front of a refrigerator, where one tile will have many holes open up, and tiles around have none.