What is Travertine tile?
The name Travertine is derived from an the Italian word called travertine. This is an amalgamation of the Italian town of Tivoli, and the Latin word Tibur, probably due to the large travertine quarries still found around Tivoli. The word travertine refers to a type of limestone which is found near hot springs. The colonnade of St. Peter’s Square in Rome and the external ribs of the dome of the St. Peter’s Basilica are just two examples of famous structures built using travertine. Today, tiles made from travertine are one of the most prized building materials. The most common uses of such tiles are for paving patios and garden paths.
Why travertine tile needs to be sealed
The brief answer to the question ‘Why to Seal Travertine Tile?’ is that it is a porous stone. Because of this characteristic, it is able to absorb liquids over a period of time. Because of the ingress of moisture and other liquids, there could be certain chemical reactions inside the stone. This might cause staining of the tiles, causing it to lose its attractive looks. In order to protect its natural beauty and color, a barrier needs to be put in place so that liquids do not enter the travertine tile. This is the reason why travertine tiles are sealed using a sealer. If we talk of specifics, then sealing of travertine tiles can protect it from the following:
- Freeze-Thaw spalling
- Picture framing
- Salt attack
- Acid attack
- Staining
How to seal travertine tile
Now that we have understood what a travertine tile is and what the benefits of sealing travertine tiles are, let us come to the question of How to Seal Travertine Tile. There are three types of sealers you can choose from, depending on the surface you are using it on – penetrating, enhancing, and topical. Depending on the location of the house where the travertine tiles have been installed, the right type of sealer needs to be chosen. The sealer needs to be applied in two stages – first, during the installation of the tiles, and second, on a periodic basis after the installation has been completed. On a longer term, fresh sealing needs to be done every three to five years. Buy StoneTech Heavy Duty Sealer
There needs to be preparatory work done before you begin to apply sealer to your travertine tiles. There should be a gap of half a month or so after tile installation before the sealer is installed, so that all the moisture available has been fully absorbed. All the dust as well as any old coating of finish or wax must first be removed. Now we come to the question of How Do You Apply a Sealer to Travertine.
First you must test the sealer by applying a small quantity on a hidden part of the tile, and let it stay for 24 hours. If the appearance is fine, then you must can go ahead. The sealer is to be rubbed across the entire surface of the tile with a soft cloth. Once done, clean up the puddles. Once it dries and penetrates completely (maybe by next day) you can begin to use the tiles.
