This Homeowner's Travertine Vanity Top in Chicago Regained Its Former Glow after a Stone Polishing

October 19, 2016

This homeowner moved to this apartment in her hometown just a year ago. It was the first time she lived alone and she loved her independence. She enjoyed clean spaces, which is why she followed a cleaning routine in her new apartment, every day after work. Moreover, she enjoyed taking long baths in her immaculate bathroom after the cleaning routine. But most importantly, she spent a long time getting ready for work every morning, which is why her vanity top was one of her favorite things at home.


She was worried as she had noticed that her bathroom's travertine vanity top had been looking unattractive lately. She called her mother, looking for a solution, and she told her how dull the countertop looked. Apart from losing its luster, it had water spots and scratches all over the surface. Her mother gave her Sir Grout Chicago's phone number, which she described as a dependable stone polishing company in Chicago that her neighbor had recommended to her. The homeowner called us and set up an appointment at her apartment for a free quote.

On the scheduled date, our team of professionals assessed the countertop and told the owner that they needed to hone the stone to remove the signs of erosion from the surface. They asked her what level of sheen she wanted our technicians to polish her travertine countertop, to which she immediately answered that she wanted a high gloss on the surface so it could make her bathroom look elegant and clean. Given the results of the evaluation and the requirements of the owner, the experts recommended a stone polishing service.

Stone surfaces are perfect for embellishing homes, as they provide style and elegance, and at the same time, they are durable. However, even the hardest stones need proper maintenance. These solid materials have a porous composition that may allow liquids to penetrate, causing etching or staining. For this reason, it is necessary to seal the surface right after its installation. Also, constantly checking the state of the sealant can prevent the stone from losing its luster. However, stones such as marble, travertine, and limestone can even be damaged by acids when they are sealed due to the chemical reaction with the calcium carbonate in the stone. According to the information provided by the homeowner and the state of the stone, the experts determined that this countertop was etched by acid-based cleaning products, as evidenced by an etch mark that a bottle of acidic cleaner had left.

Our highly trained professionals started the service by cleaning the surface with stone-safe products and a high-speed, gentle scrubber. They continued by honing the stone with a low grit, achieving an etch-free, smooth surface. After, the experts polished the stone with a higher grit and polishing compound to achieve just the right level of sheen that the owner desired. They finished the service by sealing the stone to create a shield against spills, preserving the appearance of the stone and making it more durable.

Following our policy of educating our clients on hard surface care so they can preserve and enjoy the results, the team gave the owner some recommendations. They advised her to keep the surface as dry as possible. They also suggested that she clean the counter on a periodic basis with stone-safe, pH-neural products. The experts also showed her how to check the state of the sealant every month by placing some drops of liquid on the stone. If the liquid beads on the surface, then the sealant is working properly; if the liquid is absorbed, it is necessary to reseal the surface as soon as possible.

The homeowner was truly pleased with the results. She thanked the team and said that it looked as good as new. She also mentioned that it was the exact finish that she wanted and said that she would recommend our work to her new neighbors and friends.

If your hard surfaces need a stone polishing service, Sir Grout Chicago is the best choice for you. Call us at (773) 923-2084 or fill out the "Request a Quote" form on this page.

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