Multiple questions on stepping my game up and travertine tile

[Shady at Best]

Hi guys. I am getting to the finishing steps on my current bathroom remodel. I have come up with a dozen or so questions related to things that have come up while doing this bathroom but not nessecerily about this bathroom.

First thing first. Honed travertine with a 1/16th grout joint. I am going to grout in a few days. Anyone recommend a grout release or sealer that will not change the color of the travertine.
This brings up the next question. Have you guys had problems with sanded grout scratching travertine? Eg prism, fh,etc.The tile distributor said that sanded is okay.


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[Kman]

Is there a particular reason to use sanded grout on those 1/16" joints?

[Davy]

I like the 511 from Miracle. Home Depot has it.

Yeah, you can use unsanded but I believe you can use Prism. It has fine sand in it.

Your Travertine is honed, I don't see Prism scratching it. Remember with Prism, mix small batches because it will set faster than other grouts.

[Lou_MA]

+1 on Miracle. I use a lot of Porous Plus.

For grout - what about Permacolor Select NS? Unsanded but it’s good up to 1/4”.

[Just In Tile LLC]

+ 2 511 impregnator 👍 Another prism vote

[Shady at Best]

Will non sanded look better than sanded? Some of the joints are larger than 1/16th because the tiles are not the same size. But not too big for non sanded.

I will use the 511. I have plenty. I will bring have them look at a customs color chart. I have no problems using prism.
Although they picked an ardex color. I can convince them that prism is better than fh.

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[Davy]

Unsanded joints usually finish out lower especially in the wider joints. Either one will work but I would use the Prism if it were mine.

[Shady at Best]

Thanks Davy. Prism it is. I have used prism a dozen or so times. Overall i like pridm but i do have an issue with it. It likes to fall or sag out of the joints on vertical surfaces. Any way to alleviate this?

What's your guy's favorite way to seal tile/ grout? I would usually apply with a fine mist with a spray bottle. Then wipe up with a white rag. This way can be wasteful.

Another question and this mainly has to do with stepping my game up. I think i might go back to floating showers. At least in situations like this shower. I don't like the humps made by the kerdi band at the seams. These walls were perfect after hanging the board. But then the center becomes a low spot compared to the sides. This is easy to deal with when using large tiles but these 4x8 stone tiles would want to follow the curve. Some of the tile are a 32nd to a 16th thicker and taller. I would run a straight edge horizontally and a level vertically on each run of tile. This wouldn't have been as much of an issue if i floated (mud) the walls. But then again i dislike the typical mud shower pan and would prefer a membrane. Is the a hybrid? What's the fix or tip for this? Is there a way to get a kerdi type shower completely flat after running the kerdi band?

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[Davy]

I'd mix the grout a little thicker if it's running out of the joints.

If I'm sealing the tile on walls, Sometimes I'll cut a piece of a rag about 6 inches square and saturate it with sealer. Spread it that way and wipe off the excess. Sealing tile grout on floors, the bottle with the small wheel or brush seems to use less sealer than anything else I've ever tried. I've also used paint pads, they seem to work well for covering the whole tile or marble but it tends to take more sealer than a small rag.

I think I've used Kerdi 3 times. I had the same problem you mentioned.

[Shady at Best]

Another question. Is this normal grout height or fullness? My tech is spread there grout, let it sit for a few mins. Wring out a sponge till no water comes out, do a light pressure swirling pattern. Then let it sit for a few mins, then do a diagonal swipe with a completely wrung out sponge. This is what my joints usually look like. I don't see how they can be any higher unless i was only to clean the tile, without touching the joint. But that would take hours


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[Just In Tile LLC]

Looks a little low Travis but it could be the lighting, I let it sit and the swirling and wiping happens at the same time. I don't try and tool my grout early and diagonal swipe later. It's swirl and swipe right after when the grout has firmed up to my liking. (When my finger depresses the grout in a joint without sticking)…..edit: when I'm using prism grout

[Davy]

Yeah, I was gonna say, depends on which grout you're using. I also use a lot of Prism and I like the way it firms up in the joints. Colorflex and Fusion won't firm up near as fast so you are forced to wash it with the joints still too wet. This makes it easy to wash the joints too low. If you wait for either one of those grouts to firm up before washing, you won't get it off the face.

The joint on the right of the pic looks a little low for my liking but like Justin said, it could be the lighting.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

I agree that I’d let it firm up a bit more before washing.

My test is to start cleaning when I can press on the grout with my fingertip just enough to deform the pad of my fingertip without deforming the grout.

[Shady at Best]

I will try letting it firm up. This travertine sure sucks to work with. It sucks all the moisture out of the grout and falls off the float after one pass.

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[Tool Guy - Kg]

Are you wiping the tile with a damp sponge immediately before spreading the grout?