Hi Maurizio, I am installing a travertine floor in my foyer, hallway, and powder room. I have a few questions. What products should I use to seal and then grout the tile so that I do not affect the color of the tile? I believe it is a honed travertine that has a light polish on it. It is not a high gloss. I have young children and wonder if you have any recommendations as to how to keep the floor clean.

 

Dear Vanessa:

 

“ What products should I use to seal and then grout the tile so that I do not affect the color of the tile? ”

 

None whatsoever. Just do the installation right with no “lippage” and leaving a 1/16” grout gap, let it cure for a couple of days and then grout with latex modified sand-less grout, making sure that you sponge clean the surface of the tiles as you go.

High-honed travertine (I believe that's what you have by your description), does not need to be sealed at all.

As for the routine maintenance, 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 10-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 .   Among a well of valuable information, in there you will also find priceless tips on how to properly install stone in a bathroom.

And remember, every single penny of the cost of the literature will be used to support this site and its cause: your cause.

While you are in the “Helpful Hints” section, do spend some time reading all of the interesting FREE articles you'll find in there!

Finally, keep in mind that we need your support to help us helping you!

Will you please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?    

By spreading the word about this valuable site among your friend & family and the stone trades' people you've been dealing with, you will be rendering everybody a valuable service!

Thank you  

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri zio Bertoli

 

www.marblecleaning.org – The only Consumers' Portal to the Stone Industry Establishment!