Many homeowners love travertine pavers for the fact that they add colour, texture and appeal to their outdoor living areas. This naturally occurring stone is known to last for many years if it has been properly cared for, but it is prone to the development of mold when exposed to excessive moisture. To prevent the mold growth from spreading to over pavers, you will need to make sure that you clean up the travertine immediately.
Step 1: Use your garden hose to wet the mold stains on your pavers. This will prevent the spores from becoming airborne as you clean. Then, put on some gloves to protect your hands from direct contact with the growth.
Step 2: Fill a bucket with a few litres of hot water and half a cup of ammonia. Dip a nonmetallic scrubbing brush into the solution and use it to scrub at the pavers; it will kill the mold spores and remove any stains.
Step 3: Continue to scrub at the travertine pavers until all of the mold stains have been removed or they have been removed as much as possible. You will need to regularly rinse the scrubbing brush to ensure the area remains clean.
Step 4: Use your garden hose to rinse the pavers. This will also wash away any remaining mold spores and the ammonia cleaning solution. Aim towards a drain if you don't want the solution in your garden.
Step 5: Treat any remaining mold stains using a poultice; wet the travertine with the ammonia solution, then sprinkle talcum powder over the stains. Allow the talc to absorb the solution and to sit on the pavers until it is dry.
Step 6: Use the scrubbing brush to dislodge the dried poultice (it should have removed the stain) and sweep it into a dustpan. Rinse the pavers with the garden hose again and leave the whole area to air dry.
To prevent mold from occurring in the future, it is important that you keep your travertine pavers free of dirt. Make sure that you regularly sweep or hose down your entertaining area to remove this debris from the surface, as this provides the mold with a place to grow. You should also avoid using a metallic scrubbing brush, as it can leave behind tiny shavings that can actually cause rust stains in the future; another problem that needs to be fixed.
Erwin Michel from Spickle Cleaning and Sealing is our recommended Sealing & Cleaning Professional. Please phone Erwin on 1300 22 00 45 or spickle.com.au for a quote. Sometimes its best left to the professionals and let them manage this process, it’s a cost effective treatment but can be costly if mistakes are made.