Sealing Natural Travertine Floor?
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What finish do you have on the travertine? who told you it has to be sealed? is it filled?
These are some of the questions we would ask prior to giving you an answer to your question, since the ultimate answer depends 100% on the type of tile you have. Plus there's no 'right' answer either apart from what general chemical type of active ingredient we would chose. I know of plenty of chemical sealers and I know of plenty of companies who market them, some with better or worse track records.
To give you an answer, first we'd establish what finish you already have and if that particular tile will accept a sealer or not. Then we'd probably go to some lengths informing you of what you can expect from the sealer as it pertains to kitchen stains and how important proper stone maintenance is in the whole scheme of things.
Because we've seen the results of not doing that: we've seen sealers that were not required, we've seen sealers badly applied, we've seen people with sealed travertine who clean their tiles with "Mr Clean", or with vinegar or with just water, and we've seen plenty of people who don't understand why their floors are etched - even with a sealer.
We also see companies who still market a sealer that contains a coupling solvent that was banned 10 years ago... :furious:
These are some of the questions we would ask prior to giving you an answer to your question, since the ultimate answer depends 100% on the type of tile you have. Plus there's no 'right' answer either apart from what general chemical type of active ingredient we would chose. I know of plenty of chemical sealers and I know of plenty of companies who market them, some with better or worse track records.
To give you an answer, first we'd establish what finish you already have and if that particular tile will accept a sealer or not. Then we'd probably go to some lengths informing you of what you can expect from the sealer as it pertains to kitchen stains and how important proper stone maintenance is in the whole scheme of things.
Because we've seen the results of not doing that: we've seen sealers that were not required, we've seen sealers badly applied, we've seen people with sealed travertine who clean their tiles with "Mr Clean", or with vinegar or with just water, and we've seen plenty of people who don't understand why their floors are etched - even with a sealer.
We also see companies who still market a sealer that contains a coupling solvent that was banned 10 years ago... :furious:
Thank you for your reply ccarlisle.
Its not smooth or filled so I believe the travertine is tumbled. No one mentioned to seal it, it was just my own thinking since I will be sealing my granite. I've attached a picture I took with my phone so its not too clear. I would like to seal the granite, travertine floors and the grout in the glass backsplash.
What cleaner is good for the floors? Just soap and water? I normally use the swiffer sweeper to mop the floors.
Its not smooth or filled so I believe the travertine is tumbled. No one mentioned to seal it, it was just my own thinking since I will be sealing my granite. I've attached a picture I took with my phone so its not too clear. I would like to seal the granite, travertine floors and the grout in the glass backsplash.
What cleaner is good for the floors? Just soap and water? I normally use the swiffer sweeper to mop the floors.
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Ok, great...I see two issues: the sealing - and the little holes and indentations in unfilled travertine.
First, as far as sealing is concerned, know that travertine, in general, is quite dense and will not, normally accept much sealer. However, the harder travertines are very good at accepting a polish and therefore are polished and sold as such. The softer travertines (ones that do not take a polish very well) are sold as tumbled, or for outdoor use. These travertines are relatively 'soft' (compared to other travertines) and therefore could possibly take a impregnating sealer. Since it's a bit of a toss-up and you're sealing other things, go ahead and seal it. But only once and make sure there are no puddles left on top.
But the larger issue IMO, is the unfillled part; as you can imagine, over time these holes will become filled with dirt. This may or may not appeal to you as you'll probably wonder where that nice new look has gone. Tumbled travertine can be filled - but it may be a bit late now. Just be aware of that fact. Some good grout restoration contractors (like us, he-he) can take care of that but there's no solving the main issue unless the holes are filled.
The relatively good news is that some etches will not really appear as etches at all...so you're saving the costs of repolishing, in a way.
I'm not one to recommend brand names, just ask a stone supplier for an impregnating sealer...they'll have what you need. My guy (the biggest stone supplier in my city) sells Lithofin products and I like them, but that's a personal choice.
As for cleaning, use products that are intended for stone. Not the best Mr Clean, or Ajaxs of the consumer world...neutral cleaners are out there that are formulated for stone. That's what you need.
First, as far as sealing is concerned, know that travertine, in general, is quite dense and will not, normally accept much sealer. However, the harder travertines are very good at accepting a polish and therefore are polished and sold as such. The softer travertines (ones that do not take a polish very well) are sold as tumbled, or for outdoor use. These travertines are relatively 'soft' (compared to other travertines) and therefore could possibly take a impregnating sealer. Since it's a bit of a toss-up and you're sealing other things, go ahead and seal it. But only once and make sure there are no puddles left on top.
But the larger issue IMO, is the unfillled part; as you can imagine, over time these holes will become filled with dirt. This may or may not appeal to you as you'll probably wonder where that nice new look has gone. Tumbled travertine can be filled - but it may be a bit late now. Just be aware of that fact. Some good grout restoration contractors (like us, he-he) can take care of that but there's no solving the main issue unless the holes are filled.
The relatively good news is that some etches will not really appear as etches at all...so you're saving the costs of repolishing, in a way.
I'm not one to recommend brand names, just ask a stone supplier for an impregnating sealer...they'll have what you need. My guy (the biggest stone supplier in my city) sells Lithofin products and I like them, but that's a personal choice.
As for cleaning, use products that are intended for stone. Not the best Mr Clean, or Ajaxs of the consumer world...neutral cleaners are out there that are formulated for stone. That's what you need.
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Well, there are a number of different products that can be used to fill travertine, each one having different specifications...for the DIYer, there's no reason why you can't just use a coloured grout, mix it up from powder to a fluid paste (like pancake batter) and spread it on with a rubber float.
There's also polyester filler and others that stone restorers will use before they grind or hone your entire floor. Some you can apply with a caulking gun and scrape away with a razor-blade...suffice it to say, each restorer has his/her own preferences.
There's also polyester filler and others that stone restorers will use before they grind or hone your entire floor. Some you can apply with a caulking gun and scrape away with a razor-blade...suffice it to say, each restorer has his/her own preferences.
travertine tile help
I moved into a home with granite and travertine. They of course looked great at first. I am not enjoying them. Take me back to porcelain tile that cleans like a dream. I used all the wrong methods to clean the travertine and it became etched an dirty and impossible. I finally found "one step- cleaner and resealer" from Home depot. But I am constantly on my hands and knees scrubbing it clean. Though it looks alot better now that I used this cleaner, it feels sticky to the bare foot in alot of spots and I still spend an inordinate amount of time on my knees scrubbing the floor clean with this spray. HELP!!
I moved into a home with granite and travertine. They of course looked great at first. I am not enjoying them. Take me back to porcelain tile that cleans like a dream. I used all the wrong methods to clean the travertine and it became etched an dirty and impossible. I finally found "one step- cleaner and resealer" from Home depot. But I am constantly on my hands and knees scrubbing it clean. Though it looks alot better now that I used this cleaner, it feels sticky to the bare foot in alot of spots and I still spend an inordinate amount of time on my knees scrubbing the floor clean with this spray. HELP!!
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Well congratulations and condolences...you married a nice aspect of your home - but someone forgot to tell you it was 'easy maintenance'. Like marrying a beauty queen who turns out to be a slob...or the other way 'round... LOL
Because you should have been told that right from the outset, that natural stone is not like porcelain in any way except its flat and you walk on it. But maybe they didn't know either or just sold the problem to you.
But cheer up, it is fixable - but once it is fixed then you'll have to learn how to care for it and what to put onto it and what not to. First of all, to clean natural stone from day-to-day, use a cleaner specifically meant for stone. It'll say so on the bottle but you might not able to pick it up at Walmart...:no:
What you've gone and done is applied a product something like a furniture polish to your floor and now it's getting dirtier and dirtier by the hour. You'll have to get that off. It's acrylic. Then, once gone, you'll know what original shine was there: either it was polished (which I doubt) or it was honed. That's like a satin shine.
I'm afraid there's no easy solution, no DIY solution, to messed up natural stone floors. Honing with a rotary machine and honing powders in the hands of an experienced professional is all can see ahead. The good news that if that pro cares about his work, he'll leave you with instructions that will prevent him from coming back within the next 5 years. But you'll have a floor that is timeless and if you take care not to have food-fights every week on it, and use common sense, it'll look the way he left it until you do start having food fights...natural..no waxes, nothing.
Same for the granite.
Because you should have been told that right from the outset, that natural stone is not like porcelain in any way except its flat and you walk on it. But maybe they didn't know either or just sold the problem to you.
But cheer up, it is fixable - but once it is fixed then you'll have to learn how to care for it and what to put onto it and what not to. First of all, to clean natural stone from day-to-day, use a cleaner specifically meant for stone. It'll say so on the bottle but you might not able to pick it up at Walmart...:no:
What you've gone and done is applied a product something like a furniture polish to your floor and now it's getting dirtier and dirtier by the hour. You'll have to get that off. It's acrylic. Then, once gone, you'll know what original shine was there: either it was polished (which I doubt) or it was honed. That's like a satin shine.
I'm afraid there's no easy solution, no DIY solution, to messed up natural stone floors. Honing with a rotary machine and honing powders in the hands of an experienced professional is all can see ahead. The good news that if that pro cares about his work, he'll leave you with instructions that will prevent him from coming back within the next 5 years. But you'll have a floor that is timeless and if you take care not to have food-fights every week on it, and use common sense, it'll look the way he left it until you do start having food fights...natural..no waxes, nothing.
Same for the granite.
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travertine floor
Hi, your floors look beautiful! If you still use the forum today, how have your floors held up?
Hi, your floors look beautiful! If you still use the forum today, how have your floors held up?
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