How to fill travertine?

[wkearney99]

I've got some travertine that has some holes in it (the sort naturally found in this kind of tile). They're between pinhole and about 1/4" in size. What tips or recommendations do you have in properly filling these? They've got a honed surface already. I didn't have the option on getting these pre-filled in this size (30cm x 90cm). I'm using it to frame in a window and two tub/shower niches.

[NVC]

Hi W,

Here's a previous post on filling travertine:

http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/show...ing+travertine

Mark

[wkearney99]

I've some honed travertine going into a bathroom, mainly to frame out some in-wall niches and a window. There are numerous small pits and cavities in the surface. What's the right material and method to fill these?

[Davestone]

We generally use grout,if you use a polyester you need to clean the holes with acetone.....like i say, we use grout.

[Tile Guy]

I guess this goes out to all who use travertine. Why get a natural stone with pits if all you want to do is fill them? Personally i feel this takes away from the characteristics and individuality of the tile.

Any explination would be appreciated.

[wkearney99]

Sure, a few tiny pits and grooves give it some character. But a geode-like HOLE spreading an eight inch wide and two inches long, perforating the tile, isn't quite the sort of character I'm looking for. Perhaps I should've been more descriptive but then that'd have brought out a whole other sort of whining about why to not use the stone.

Help, I'm grateful to get, useless criticism and second-guessing, not so much.

The consensus, here and at two local tile shops, is to just use unsanded grout.

Now the question goes to sealing. Before or after filling? Assuming I'm going to be reasonably near about how the grout is pressed into the gaps, of course. So is it better to seal before the grout filling, or is there some disastrously bad thing that'd cause? And would the grout filling make any difference regarding the whole-surface sealing it'd get later?

-Bill

[Brian in San Diego]

I would seal after the grouting of the holes. If sealed prior then the grout may not want to hold in the holes you're trying to fill. I'd grout the holes first (and carefully I might add). I'd then seal the tile and grout the joints. Then the grout clean up where you don't want it would be easier.

Brian

[cx]

Welcome back, wkearney99. Please give us a first name to use. In fact, please pewt it in a signature line using the UserCP so it will follow you about.

I've combined the response from the first time you axed this question. The referenced thread seems consistent with what's being said here.

Some people don't ever bother pre-sealing at all before they grout, electing to just keep the tile surface clean during the process.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[wkearney99]

As a follow up, grout has stood up fine on this job. The only downside is the tan grout tends to show a darker color when it's wet. This makes the filled areas stand out a bit more than I would have liked. But otherwise unsanded grout has worked well for this.

[stonesandfloors]

Hi,
It looks like I am too late to say this
But when filling travertine: is always a good idea to choose a grout that a little lighter than stone color. Travertine is always have variation so best way to do it, pick the lighter color in the whole variation and use it as grout color. If the grout is lighter than stone it doesn't bother much. But if you end up with darker grout it doesn't fit very well.
As I said it is too late to say that but it may help someone else.
Thx

[wkearney99]

It's never too late if it helps the next guy searching for the answer, right?