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Repairing Holes on Installed Travertine Tiles

Travertine is a sedimentary stone rich in calcium carbonate and results from chemical precipitation that occurs in or near mineral springs and subterranean environments. Voids in travertine are natural.

Size and frequency of these voids may vary by travertine type and lot. Travertine may either be supplied with these holes filled or unfilled. When filled at the factory, either a cementitious or resin-based fill may be used. Common finishes may be honed, polished or tumbled (typically unfilled).

Vein-cut travertine is cut against the bedding planes, exposing the edge of the formation and providing linear pattern. Fleuri-cut travertine, also called cross-cut travertine, is cut parallel to the bedding plane, exposing a flowery random pattern.

Holes may open up as a result of normal use due to thin wall cavities at or near the exposed surface of the stone. In some cases, factory fill may pop out as a result of use and wear.

Repairs of holes in travertine are common. The first step is to identify the type of fill that is currently in place. Holes may be filled with cement, epoxy, and/or grout to match the existing color and finish of the fill.

Professional stone restoration firms may be available in your area and should be members of the National Tile Contractors Associ ation and/or the Natural Stone Institute.

Additional articles on this topic are listed below: • How to fill Holes, Cracks and Voids in Travertine Tiles by Troy Cantini https://www.tilecleaning.org/filling-holes-in-travertine-tile.htm • Travertine by Excel Stone and Tile Care https://excelstoneandtilecare.com/travertine/

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NTCA Reference Manual | 2024 / 2025

Chapter 6 | Natural Stone Installations