grouting travertine - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

maudegonne · 23-03-2008

Can anyone give me useful tips on grouting unhoned travertine?
I did one area but found it quite difficult: I put one coat of sealer on before grouting.... should I put more on?
When is the best time for washing it of? I found myself scrubbing a lot (left it too long..... but when it was softer I was washing it out of the groutlines).
Any tips are welcome

Cheers

**Sir Ramic** · 23-03-2008

Walls or floors?
What grout are you using ?

**whitebeam** · 23-03-2008

I use an epoxy grouting tool for floor's

TilingLogistics · 23-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by maudegonne

Can anyone give me useful tips on grouting unhoned travertine?
I did one area but found it quite difficult: I put one coat of sealer on before grouting.... should I put more on?
When is the best time for washing it of? I found myself scrubbing a lot (left it too long..... but when it was softer I was washing it out of the groutlines).
Any tips are welcome

Cheers

I use a Rubi metal spatula

Kev

m.w.tiling · 23-03-2008

Be careful if sealing before grouting, any sealer in the grout join will effect drying time. If grouting with a limestone or beige etc i dont seal first, just work the grout over the whole tile to avoid leaving stains near the joints. Work quickly and in smaller areas, clean the tiles in more stages, dont try to get a finnished look straight away, i usually end up gently sponging the tiles clean three or four times then buff off the bloom with a dry cloth.

**wetdec** · 23-03-2008

I just came from a wedding and you really dont want my answer to this. its to l8 to be doing education. MW Tling has the right idea in fact best post about stone this week,

tiler

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maudegonne · 23-03-2008

To answer the first questions:
It's a floor... not sure what the grout exactly is. it is beige..... something for wide joints....
I am suprised with the suggestion of not sealing beforehand? I would be terrified that a film would stick on it? The shop were the tiles were bought instructed sealing them before grouting... I had not trouble with small yellow travertine tiles... but these are big ones... with cushioned edges.. quite smooth....
I will check tomorrow what kind of grout they supplied me with exactly and let you know..

**wetdec** · 24-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by maudegonne

To answer the first questions:
It's a floor... not sure what the grout exactly is. it is beige..... something for wide joints....
I am suprised with the suggestion of not sealing beforehand? I would be terrified that a film would stick on it? The shop were the tiles were bought instructed sealing them before grouting... I had not trouble with small yellow travertine tiles... but these are big ones... with cushioned edges.. quite smooth....
I will check tomorrow what kind of grout they supplied me with exactly and let you know..

This man has answered your question in good detail :

Quote:

Be careful if sealing before grouting, any sealer in the grout join will effect drying time. If grouting with a limestone or beige etc i dont seal first, just work the grout over the whole tile to avoid leaving stains near the joints. Work quickly and in smaller areas, clean the tiles in more stages, dont try to get a finnished look straight away, i usually end up gently sponging the tiles clean three or four times then buff off the bloom with a dry cloth.

Why oh why are you working with this stone when by your own admission you can't and worse trying to do your homework half way through the job

tiler

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maudegonne · 24-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by wetdec

This man has answered your question in good detail :

Why oh why are you working with this stone when by your own admission you can't and worse trying to do your homework half way through the job

tiler

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Oh dear.......
Well I did do some homework: read about travertine on other treads where they are talking about sealing it twice before grouting. Also because the instructions from the shop were to seal it beforehand. I was merely questioning the 'why' and not dismissing the advice.
Sorry to upset you....
And to anwer you question as to why I took the job: Well simply because the customer was practically begging me to do it because nobody else in the area does tiling. I told them beforehand about my limited experience and the difficulties with natural stone. They had no problem with it... so no need for you to get you 'knickers in a twist'!

**wetdec** · 24-03-2008

No knickers in a twist just that if you can lay ceramics it doesnt give you the qualification to lay stone as you are finding out.

You asked the question and you were answered but then you questioned validity of the answer I have found these 2 threads which you have obviously missed in your search. They will give you an insite ........

Unfilled Travetine

sealing travertine

Please learn by this............

tiler

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**enduro** · 24-03-2008

I always seal prior to laying, just a quick wipe over with sealant, i have done miles of the stuff wouldn't do it any other way.

**wetdec** · 24-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by enduro

I always seal prior to laying, just a quick wipe over with sealant, i have done miles of the stuff wouldn't do it any other way.

Why would you seal a surface that you want to fill then doesnt this prevent absorbtion by the porus surface so reducing or eliminating the opotunity of grab for the grout you are using.

As well as the above I would think stone is rarely dry on arrival, is re-wetted when laid by the adhesive and wiping down, if you seal it where does all the moisture go assuming you use a water based sealer as a chemical one won't work anyway will it ?

tiler

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