I have recently purchased tumbled travertine tiles to use on my kitchen counters. I was told that if I use alittle grout over the top and seal it several times that it would be durable enough for kitchen counter use. I understand that some staining may still happen. I don't want to spend all the time and money replacing the counters if this product is not suitable for kitchen counters. I reall love they way the tumbled stone looks too. Any suggestions or advice? Thanks, Diane

 

Dear Diane:

 

“ I was told that if I use a little grout over the top and seal it several times it would be durable enough for kitchen counter use. ”

 

Well, apparently they forgot to tell you that before you seal your travertine several times, you should sacrifice a female virgin goat (or at least a chicken) to the gods of the “Sealing Cult”, if you want the sealer to be effective!! :-)

Joking aside (it always amuses me the incredible extreme importance that many stone “gurus” give to an impregnating sealer… I'm wondering if they told you what you have to use for routine care, which is vastly more important than the sealing?... I didn't think so!), you will need to fill the holes of the tiles for sanitary purposes. If it were my project, considering that's a kitchen countertop, I would take my time and fill the holes with color-matching caulk. It's liquid-proof and stainless, too.

After proper curing of the setting material, grout and filler, (figure a week) you will apply once (and only once) either a good-quality stone impregnator like MB-4 or, if you prefer the way the stone looks when it's wet (deeper color with no shine), an impregnator/color enhancer like MB-6 (the latter will need to applied twice with an interval of 24 hours between applications). (http://www.mbstonecare.com)

After that, a good quality stone cleaner like MB-5 is all you will ever need for routine care. Tumble-finished stone is among the most rugged surfaces that one can think of: you can throw just about anything at it!

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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