Travertine pavers make for a beautiful addition to any home, but when dirt and grime start to accumulate, many homeowners are left wondering if pressure washing is the right choice. The answer is not so simple, however. It is possible to pressure wash travertine pavers, but there are some things you need to consider before doing so. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of using a pressure washer on travertine pavers.
The Pros of Pressure Washing Travertine Pavers
The biggest benefit of pressure washing travertine pavers is that it can restore the original color and shine of your paver surfaces. Pressure washers are incredibly powerful and can blast away even the toughest dirt and grime with ease. This means that you can get your pavers looking brand new in no time at all! Additionally, pressure washing is an affordable option – you don’t have to spend a lot of money on specialized cleaning products or hire professional cleaners to do the job for you.
The Cons of Pressure Washing Travertine Pavers
While there are some distinct benefits to using a pressure washer on travertine pavers, there are also some potential drawbacks as well. For starters, pressure washers can be quite loud and may disturb your neighbors or other people in your area. You should pick a day when everyone’s at work or when you’re least likely to disturb someone. Additionally, the high-pressure water stream from a pressure washer can be very damaging on soft surfaces like travertine pavers. If used incorrectly or too often, it could cause irreparable damage to your stone surfaces by wearing away at them over time. Finally, if not properly maintained, pressure washers have been known to cause problems such as leaks or even explosions – not something that you want happening in your backyard!
How To Pressure Wash Travertine Pavers
Once you have established that your travertine pavers are suitable for power washing, you’ll need some specific supplies. First, make sure you have an appropriate pressure washer with an adjustable nozzle and detergent attachment. Make sure the nozzle is set low enough so that it won’t damage the stones. Next, use a mild detergent specifically designed for cleaning stone surfaces. Do not use harsh chemicals that could damage the travertine pavers or discolor them over time. Finally, if possible use warm water rather than cold water as warmer water tends to break down dirt more quickly and easily than colder water does.
Now that you have all of your supplies ready, it’s time to get started! Begin by spraying away any loose debris from the surface of the stones with a garden hose or sprayer attachment on your power washer. Next, attach the detergent nozzle and apply the soap solution in long sweeping motions going from top-to-bottom and side-to-side until all of the surfaces are covered with foam from the detergent solution. Allow this foam to sit for 10-15 minutes before continuing on with rinsing off all of the soap residue with clean water using a fan spray pattern for best results. Once finished rinse off any remaining soap residue with a garden hose or sprayer attachment on your power washer one last time and allow it to dry completely before walking on it again.
Pressure washing travertine pavers certainly has its benefits – namely in terms of restoring the original color and shine of your paver surfaces quickly and cheaply – but it also carries some risks that should be taken into consideration before proceeding with this method of cleaning. Ultimately, it’s up to you as a homeowner to decide whether or not this approach is right for you; however if you do decide to go ahead with it then make sure you use caution and follow all manufacturer directions closely!