travertine holes

[binkyscamp]

Hi,We had travertine tiles laid 3 years ago and I note that they do develop holes.We were advised that they would be suitable for a kitchen floor, however we have an area of16 square metres and there are very few remaining tiles without holes.Some have developed into 4-5cms and others tiny.I have contacted the retail outlet and they have requested a visit from the supplier.This does not seem a 'normal'process because of the quantity and scale of the problem.An experienced tiler has looked at them and he maintains he has never seen anything like it in 30 years.He is of the view that they are a faulty batch and that there is a posibility of mineral /salt issues causing the problem.They are laid on a concrete screed base so there is no movement below.Please can anyone advise.The supplier is coming tomorrow and I need a good understanding of the possible problem because I want to replace or get a refund of some description.Can anyone please advise?
Thankyou

 

[DHTiling]

Hello and welcome...


It sounds to me that you have a LOW grade of travertine with excessive amounts of filler in it and this will be the weak spot that will deteriate with foot traffic and cleaning.

Normally small'ish holes can be filled with either epoxy grout or a resin filler but holes as big as 4 or 5 cm is too large IMO....and those tiles need replacing.

But i would deffo say it is more than likely a cheap grade travertine and when laid probs no adhesive back filled into the voids to add some strength to those weak area's..

 

[diamondtiling]

As above really, I have filled travertine in the past with the resin although I think it looks shabby when finished, what did you pay for them when new?

 

[peckers]

I agree with dave it defo sounds like you were supplied with a low quality travertine tile, and that the filler in them has worn away/ broken down

 

[vitoramos39]

[hello!!!
The travertine,slabs is with holls and before polish and give a final shine, you have to repair the holls before polish with akimi.is a glue to natural stone.
sory if i don't right proprely but i try my best.any help just contact me

 

[Nardini]

Travertine marble is, by its nature, full of holes such as those you have seen. If you are buying filled, honed and polished travertine, you should have all of the visible holes already dealt with, but you must bear in mind - and advise your client as well - that travertine can "open up" over time (think of an Aero bar here). It is not a bad batch as travertine is not a manufactured product - it is a natural stone. You should also be very careful when using any kind of epoxy filler (Akimi is one of many) to fill the holes as the filler will "sink" after a couple of days. Fill proud and leave it for as long as you can - a few days at least. Then hone down to just above the marble level. Leave a little longer then before finally polishing - NOT with a chemical polish".

Remember that it is a natural product and travertine is full of holes - or it wouldn't be travertine, in fact.

 

[diamondtiling]

I agree with Nardini when he says its not a 'bad batch' its a natural product made by the earth over millions of years, however, it is a graded product and it goes from low grade to high grade with the latter being the more expensive because it has far less filler, even on price alone travertine varies widely and the less you pay then the chances are that you are probably buying an inferior grade product. Joe public will be naive (maybe) when looking at travertine, he sees it on offer for £25 per mtr and wonders why he should pay £50 at the shop up the road? quality sometimes comes second to price.