Travertine Floor Sealing Fiasco

QUESTION:

I am trying to correct a travertine sealing fiasco. I sealed my travertine floor tile with this "sealant" that now looks over sealed and thick. I just want them to be shiny and protected. How do I fix this mistake?

ANSWER:

Well since I don't know what "over-sealed and thick" means I can't say for sure I understand the problem, however, my guess is that you are seeing a streaky haze on the travertine floor surface.

A streaky haze left after applying a sealer indicates one of two things:

1. The sealer was applied incorrectly and left to dry on the surface. The haze is the dried sealer residue.

The most important step when applying a sealer is to remove all excess before it dries.

2. A sealer was applied to a stone that did not need it.... in fact could not even be sealed.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest myths and misconceptions about natural stone and sealing is that "all" stone "must" be sealed and often.

This is absolutely false. Many stones are naturally dense with very low absorbency. Meaning liquids simply do not absorb unless exposure is maintained for hours or days, which almost never happens. On such dense stones liquids will evaporate before the absorb and stain.

Thus, no sealer is needed.

And of course, since a sealer is a liquid, it cannot absorb anyway meaning such a surface cannot be sealed even if you wanted to.

Many granites are super dense and cannot be sealed. The same is true of many marbles and travertine especially when polished it is virtually non-absorbent, stain-proof and cannot be sealed.


There is a simple way to determine if or when any stone should or could be sealed. All you do is perform the water test for sealing.

Most likely your polished travertine is just to dense to absorb liquids or stain and didn't need to nor could it be sealed.

The sealer was applied, did not absorb and the remaining residue dried on top leaving the haze that must now be stripped off using a solvent like acetone, but probably something stronger like methylene chloride.

So, really whether the stone sealer was left to dry or was applied to a stone that didn't need it, the mistake is.... incorrectly applied sealer.

You'll find complete and correct information regarding marble/travertine and granite sealers, how to apply, how to stip, etc. in the All About Sealing e-book.

If none of the above seems to match or explain the "over-sealed and thick" appearance, then I'd say you probably applied some type of topical coating that forms a film over the stone (instead of absorbing into the stone).

Most topical coatings are bad news for stone and should never be applied to a stone floor since they can trap water in the stone leading to major problems.

So, you'll either have to stip off the improperly applied impregnating stone sealer or you'll have to have the topical coating mechanically removed and the floor re-finished by a marble cleaning and maintenance professional.

Good Luck,
Ryan

Trouble Sealing Travertine

by Lloyd
(ST. Pete, Florida)

QUESTION:

We are having travetine tile installed, for the 2nd time. 1st install had spots, sponge marks and a dirty window sealed in. The installer tore up the just installed travertine flooring and now has installed new floor. we took a piece and tried to apply sealer and it still has some appearance of a dirty window look.

what do we need to have the installer/contractor do to prepare and properly prepare the floor? What are the best products?

ANSWER:

Sealing travertine isn't always necessary. Travertine is not very absorbent despite what you may have read or been told that is stains... not true.

Travetine tile can etch (corrosion from acids) leaving dull light spots that people often mistake for "stains", but it's a completely different issue and sealing won't prevent it.

In fact, when polished travertine is essentially non-absorbent, stain-proof and cannot be sealed... sealer won't absorb.

You didn't tell me if the travertine was polished or honed.

When honed travertine can usually take one coat of an impregnating sealer. However, if it is honed and your are getting the "dirty window" look (I assume you mean a hazy film) then the procedure was done incorrectly.

If the travertine floor tile is polished then there's your problem. Polished travertine cannot be sealed. The sealer just sits on top and dries into a dull haze. It can be stripped off, but you just tore it out.

So, if polished... problem solved. Don't seal it. You don't need to. In fact you can't as noted.

But of course no worries... it won't stain except in some extreme circumstance where a substance has remained on the surface for days.

If honed, then water test it to se if sealing travertine is necessary.

If it is, I'd recommend using SenGuard or Stone Sentry Sealers.

Also, you must apply it properly. You can't let the sealer dry on the surface. If you like, you'll find complete information about sealing granite, marble, travertine in the All About Sealing Manual.

Another thing to consider when thinking about sealing travertine is the risk of staining. If the floor is in the kitchen, then you'll want to seal it if testing shows it needs it.

However, everywhere else in your home is at very low risk for staining and whether or not to seal becomes a judgment call.

Maybe sealing travertine dining room or main bathroom floor is a good idea, but for living rooms, bedrooms, family rooms it's typically unnecessary.

Consider how often you spill something and leave it on the floor for 10-15 minutes or more. Remember, it isn't carpet. It won't stain on contact. It will take many minutes for anything to absorb into honed travertine.

Now if you spill something acidic like wine, juice, coffee, soda the travertine can etch almost instantly and once etched it will become more absorbent and possibly stain more quickly.

However, stains and etch marks can be removed, so nothing is terminal.

Good Luck,
Ryan

Sealing Travertine

by Jeff Kiene
(Littleton, CO)

QUESTION:

Just had my Travertine tile installed and I have some older maybe 8-month old Stone Tech enhancer sealer. I was told not to use because it has expired? True?

Some of my decorative tile installers said to not use a solvent-based sealer on their stone. What is the difference?

The Stone-Tech I have is a solvent-based sealer.

Thanks,
Jeff

ANSWER:

Regarding the "expired" sealer... I have never noticed an expiration date on any sealer product, however, I am not a chemist and I suppose it could be true that sealers expire... well they will if the lid is not sealed tightly. But I highly doubt that it would do so in as little as 8 months unless the bottle has been repeatedly opened.

You note that it is solvent-based. Well, solvents evaporate much more quickly than water and if the bottle has been opened a lot it could possibly affect the quality of the product.

If un-opened, I imagine it would keep for years.

Just to save yourself a lot of extra work, I'd call Stone Tech and ask them. (I called today, but it was after hours for them)

Solvent-Based Sealers

Solvent-based sealers have been the norm until recently several states have started to pass laws against the use of "volatile organic compounds" (VOCs). Solvents are included here. VOCs are toxic to you and the environment, so manufacturers have started to produce water-based sealers.

Using a water-based sealer is much more pleasant because solvents have powerful odors and fumes.

There are some technical differences too... solvents are thought to penetrate a bit deeper into the stone and form a more repellent barrier. However, some of the water-based sealers are incorporating new barrier technology. There is some difference in application, but both will provide the desired protection.

Again, I'd call the person who made the suggestion and ask why. You say "decorative tile." What type of stone/tile is it? Does it have some coloring agent or design applied? Possibly the salesperson knows something about that particular tile where solvent-based is not good, but I honestly cannot imagine what it would be.

Most likely the suggestion was made out of concern for you (toxic fumes) and the environment (disposal and polution issues).

Testing Sealer Before Application

I'd test that Stone Tech Enhancer Sealer on a left over travertine tile and note the results. It will probably change the "look" of the stone since it is of the "enhancer" variety.

Really, I'd recommend you use an impregnating sealer for your initial application rather than the enhancer. Enhancers are more topical and not as durable. Stone Tech has two good impregnating sealers (Bullet Proof and Heavy Duty). Both are water-based won't change the look.

One more note: You need to stick with the same "base" for any future applications. Solvent can be re-applied over water, but water cannot go over solvent, so best to test, decide which one you want to use and stick with it.

Hope this helps,
Ryan

Sealing Restored & Polished Travertine

QUESTION:

Hello......I'm receiving bids for restoring my Travertine floor tile........I would like it brought up to a shine.....I'm getting mixed reviews, as some want to use a sealer afterwards and some are telling me it won't be needed.............who is correct????????? Thank you.

ANSWER:

Despite what you might read or hear marble and travertine are not very porous.... even less so when polished.

Typically polished travertine is essentially non-absorbent, thus sealing travertine isn't necessary when polished.

Let me explain...

A sealer helps protect against staining by drastically reducing the rate of absorption of liquids, etc.

Many stones are dense enough and have such slow rates of absorption that most any substance will evaporate before it ever absorbs or stains.

Obviously, these stones do not need sealing. In fact, they cannot be sealed since the sealer itself won't absorb. (And applying a sealer anyway "just to be safe" will only create a problem with the sealer drying on the surface in a dull haze.)

Polished travertine is almost always falls in this category.

Luckily there's a simple water test that you can perform yourself to definitively determine whether or not you should be sealing travertine after it's polished.

And even if the test shows that the travertine could absorb the sealer, you still may not want to do it.

Why?

You need to consider the risk of staining. Is the travertine in a kitchen, dining room or bar? If not, then your risk of staining a floor is minimal.

Plus it's travertine, so even if testing shows it will absorb... it won't do it quickly and won't stain quickly or easily.

But as noted, 99% chance that sealing travertine is not needed in your case.

One other consideration about a polished floor. Understand that a polished travertine floor will require periodic re-polishing as foot traffic wears away the polished layer.

Also, it requires more care and travertine maintenance to keep a polished floor looking good versus a honed floor.

A polished floor will readily show dust, dirt and any stuff on it, so you'll have to sweep, mop and buff far more often than with a honed floor.

Remember too, that travertine is sensitive to acids, so although the wine you spill won't stain... it may etch, which will leave a dull spot on polished travertine.

Etch marks can be removed on polished travertine using SCP: Marble Polishing Paste, but etching is far less noticeable (often unnoticeable) on honed travertine.

Some things to think about.

If you do decide to leave it honed or have it re-honed, then the travertine will probably take a sealer. I'd recommend STONE SENTRY Sealer. But still test first.

Also, you may rule out any contractor that suggests sealing polished travertine... obviously doesn't know as much as he should about the job.

Good Luck,
Ryan

Travertine Sealer Streaking

by Terri
(Ft. Myers, FL)

QUESTION:

I sealed my new travertine floor tile and I see streaking. The product recommended by the tile store was Etch N Seal. Can I buff w/ a rotary soft attachment hand held buffer? It has cured for 48 hours. How do I minimize the existing streaks?

ANSWER:

Terri, the streaking is most likely the result of letting the sealer dry on the surface.

The most important step in applying a sealer is to completely remove any excess sealer (that has not absorbed) from the surface BEFORE it dries.

Once it dries you will need to strip it off... probably with methylene chloride.

Although, at this point I would call in a pro to make an on-site assessment about what should be done. Highly unlikely a buffer will do a thing.

You may need to re-polish the entire floor.

I'm assuming that it is a polished travertine floor or at least satin honed otherwise the sealer probably would have absorbed without a problem.

And if it is polished, then I'd go back to the tile store and blast them for recommending that you seal it in the first place.

Why? Because polished travertine tile is essentially non-absorbent. You really don't need to seal it and shouldn't try because the sealer simply won't absorb, leaves a residue even when wiped up and you get the streaks.

Good Luck,
Ryan