Should you restore or replace your flooded travertine floor in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey? Depending on if the tiles have held fast to the floor, and have not come loose, there is a good chance your natural stone floor can be professionally cleaned and repaired. Actually, in many cases travertine, even after being submerged under water for a number of days, is resilient enough to be restored to like new condition by a floor restoration professional. Of course you need to take into account the condition of the floor prior to the flooding. How dirty was it? Did your travertine tile have preexisting holes, cracks, and scratches? This holds true for other natural stone floors as well marble, limestone, terrazzo, and slate to name a few as well as ceramic tile.

A word of caution when seeking out a professional to address problems with your natural stone floor whether it needs a restoration due to flooding or just wear and tear due to time. Do not hire a tile cleaning company. Hire a true proper stone restoration company. The difference is that most tile cleaning companies also specialize in carpet and furniture cleaning by using a pressurized washing system. The pressure in these machines can reach upwards of 1,000 psi. This type of service is promoted as a deep cleaning. However when you consider that travertine, marble, and limestone are types of stones that are calcium base bonded stone, subjecting your floors to any kind of pressurized treatment after a flood may do more harm than good.

The calcium bond may be compromised after major flooding. The flooding literally starts the erosion process, and the stone will start to fall apart. This doesn't necessarily happen immediately, it could take from weeks to months for the calcium bond to break. Deep cleaning with these pressurized machines can contribute to the further breakdown of the stone's calcium bond as well, leaving you with a clean looking floor for months until cracks and holes start to form. These companies are literally damaging your floors and charging you for it! Worst thing is most of them have no clue as to the damage they are doing because the manufacturing companies selling them these pressurized deep cleaning machines suggest it is safe and meant for natural stone.

We at Beyle City Floor Restorers are true and proper natural stone restoration experts. It’s all we do! We have products that can rebond the calcium strengthening your stone floor and stopping any further break down from the flood damage.

Our final recommendation to people with stone floors and accents is that some of the large restoration companies (the ones that replace your drywall etc...) do not know how to restore your travertine and marble floors. They usually instruct the insurance company that the floor needs to be replaced. This is not always the case. When in doubt or if you need a little more insight on your flooded natural stone floors please give us a call at 832-709-1098.

“Don’t Re-floor it, Restore it!”

Beyle City Floor Restorers is a Natural Stone Floor Restoration Company and provides free estimates for all customers. We serve the greater Houston area and Galveston county, as well as Beaumont.