Travertine - Clean and seal

[smont]

I installed travertine in my bathroom on the floors and walls, and on the shower walls. Tumbled marble on the shower floor. I didn't seal it before grouting

It's been up for almost a year now and I have not used the bathroom yet, but the tiles do need to be cleaned before I seal them. There seems to still be a light haze on the tiles from the grout I presume.

Since I didn't seal the tiles before grouting, what would be my best option. Is there anything I can use that will seal both the tiles and the grout at the same time? I guess I would need a heavy duty sealer for the shower? Did I screw up by installing travertine on the shower walls and the tumbled marble on the shower floor? Or will it not be a problem once it's sealed?

Here's a pic. Won't let me post links?
h**p://img197.imageshack.us/img197/9821/dsc00183a.jpg

Thanks,

Scott

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[Davestone]

You might need a couple more posts to post a pic.You should definitely clean the stone before sealing and allow to dry.Almost any impregnating sealer will work on tiles and grout both.The stone won't be a problem if you keep it fairly clean and have used a preslope and no mastic.Sealers won't waterproof it so no need for fancy ones.

[Stone Dude]

youre in better shape than you probably think.

sealing the grout is more important than sealing the travertine. in fact i dont even bother to seal travertine showers, just the grout.

some people may recommend a grout haze remover to remove the grout haze. please be aware that grout haze removers (most of them) are acidic and will damage the travertine.

you can use an alkaline cleaner and dilute it 50/50. spread it on the area and let it sit. then try to scrub with a white pad

a good alkaline cleaner and sealer are both made by Stonetech. Klenzall, or Heavy Duty cleaner, is the cleaner and Impregnator Pro is the sealer I would recommend.

[smont]

Thanks for the replies!

I checked out that Impregnator Pro. It says that it leaves a "natural look." What does that mean? Once it's sealed, it will look the same as it does now (unsealed)? I was thinking that maybe a glossy finish would look nice? What product could I use to get that effect?

[Davestone]

Yes it will look the same.If you want a glossy look semipolish the stone,i wouldn't use a gloss sealer.

[smont]

Forgive me but how do I go about semipolishing the stone? And once it's done, do I have to maintain the polish, or is it a one time deal?

Also, these enhancing sealers that I read about, are those all gloss sealers? Do they make a "natural look" sealer that just enhances the colors and seals? Wait, that might be a dumb question :think:

[Stone Dude]

Enhancing Sealer is what you want. it enhances the nautral color and seals, thats it. it will not add a shine or finish

also the impregnating sealer will not change the look of the stone at all.

enhancers are also impregnators, they call them impregnators because thats what they do, they impregnate the stone with sealer. It is a "sub-surface" sealer, it does not stay on top of the stone.

[smont]

Got it. I appreciate your time guys. Thanks