James ,
The mildew may be coming from the back side of the stone. this means there is moisture behind the stone.
First try using a bleach solution to clean the walls to see if removes the mildew. If this does not remove it then you may need to apply a poultice.
If the mildew is removed by cleaning, then use honing powders and go over the walls to remove any damage. If there is no damage take Stonecare Central Soap and film Remover to do a deep clean on the walls.
Then seal with an impregnating sealer ( Solvent Based).
Be sure to sell the customer the necessary care product to maintain the shower once you have it completed.
If the mildew is coming from the back side of the stone you need to determine where the moisture is coming in and then see if the mildew is bad enough for the stone to be removed and the walls be treated for the mildew. Or remove the mildew allow the walls to totally dry for several day then go back complete the repairs and seal the stone.
John E. Freitag
President/Director
The Stone and Tile School
Office 407-567-7652
Cell 407-615-0134
jfreitag@thestoneandtileschool.com
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www.thestoneandtileschool.com
From: James Billeaudeau [mailto:james@diamondmarblepolishing.com]
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 6:03 PM
To: Restoration and Maintenance
Subject: [sccpartners] Travertine Shower Walls
Can you share advice on how to handle the restoration of a honed travertine tile shower? The shower was built in 2002 and purchased by the existing owner in 2003. It has three walls with a total width of 12 feet and the tiles extend up 9 feet high. Nothing has ever been done to the shower by the previous or current owner other than wiping down the walls with over the counter cleaners. Each wall has what looks like mildew staining in the first tiles from the floor. I came up empty when scraping the walls wtih a single edge razor blade. Nothing came off of the tiles. The mildew looking staining seems to be embedded in the stone, and there are also mineral staining on the tiles from the shower head down. I've enclosed photos of the "mildew" staining. Any advice would be appreciated. This would be my first travertines wall restoration and would appreciate guidance in the proper way to approach. Thank you all in advance.
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