We're looking at using small 2"x2" tumbled travertine squares as the flooring in a shower stall remodel, but it is not honed nor filled. I am afraid that the natural holes in the stone will allow water to reside, and eventually mold and or mildue will form. Should the travertine used in our shower, whether flooring or walls, be honed and filled, or is it okay to use it without being that way?

 

Dear Tom:

You can use the tumble-finished type, but, very definitely, it must be filled inside a shower stall for the sanitary consideration that you already listed. You could fill the holes with clear latex-based caulking material. In that way you could still see the holes.

Now remember, it's never too early to think about the proper maintenance of your stone. The issue of what you'll be doing day in and day out to your stone is – as it should be intuitive – vastly more important than its sealing (if and when possible and/or advisable) and it's all too often neglected. As you can tell by reading many of this site's postings, you're not likely to get good information about routine care from your dealer or installer. Don't become another statistic! By logging into the Helpful Hints section of our website at:   http://www.mbstone.com/HH_promo/helpful_hints.htm , you will be able to get the short version of our maintenance guidelines at no charge. The full version of it – a 7-page document considered by many as an industry benchmark – is available in pay-per-download format in our Educational Literature section at:   http://www.mbstone.com/literature/literature.htm .  

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Ciao and good luck,

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