Travertine lippage

Hi, I'm a professional, but could still learn more. Typically for small amounts of lippage, I use my 4" wet sanding discs. This works great at removing the shadow, but of course its not feasible for larger areas. I typically install 3500+ sf of 24x24 (mudset). My work is good, but that much footage, I do get a few lips here and there. Especially when I'm forced to use a lower grade stone with inherent warping. What would be the proper method to remove them? I was looking into floor buffing machines, until I happened upon your site and saw mentions that that may not be the best method. I appreciate any insight you may offer; there are few left in the business who are able to give me new pointers :)

 

Dear Erik:

Floors with lippage must be ground flat.

With a buffing machine?...

You can't use a toy to do heavy-duty work like grinding stone floors. And you can't send a boy to do a man's job, either.

Not only do you need the right equipment and the right abrasive elements, but, most of all, you must know how to use them.

It takes lots of training, experience, humility and determination. It is much more professionally demanding than installing stone tiles, I can tell you that!

In the specific case of travertine, there's also the issue of the refilling of the holes that will inevitably get opened over the first and second grinding cut.

That one, too (the refilling) requires experience and good skills.

The ITCS (International Training Centers for the Stoneindustry) offers 3-day classes on the subject of grinding and refinishing stone. Three days are not much and only scratch the surface, but it's a start.

 

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?   :-)

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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