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Sealer For Travertine Pavers: All You Need To Know

As we have discussed before, sealing is always highly recommended so that your pavers can keep looking good for a longer period of time. Not only that, but sealing also has several other benefits, such as preventing mold, weed growth, and much more

The use of a sealer for travertine pavers has the same purpose. And like other pavers, it also requires very special care. Several doubts always arise around the subject, and in this topic, we would like to clarify some of the most recurring ones.

Freshly sealed travertine pavers looking good!

Does Travertine Pavers Need To Be Sealed?

Some people choose not to seal their travertine pavers. Among the main justifications for it, is that they claim the sealing reduces friction, thus removing some of travertine’s natural anti-slip properties. But the fact is, almost any wet or damp surface will be somewhat slippery. It’s no different for travertine pavers.

So although sealing travertine makes it a bit more slippery, sealing offers many more benefits to compensate for that. Starting with the faster drying time, sealed travertine pavers will have very low absorption of water, resulting in faster drying.

In addition, the sealer on travertine pavers protects them against accidental staining, sun-bleaching, and other forms of surface damage. So what happens if you don’t seal travertine pavers is that you’ll leave them much more exposed to problems. Sealing also enhances its beauty and colors, while making it last longer. 

To ensure an anti-slip surface, there are currently several anti-slip additives that can be mixed into the sealant. 

How Often Should Travertine Be Sealed?

Travertine pavers have to be resealed whenever the sealant starts to wear thin. That could take from 3 to 5+ years, but there are a few things you can to look at to determine if the time is right.

To begin with, there are several variables here that might speed up the wearing process. Those being, the traffic on pavers, and especially, the weather conditions (rain, sun, cold…).

Watch out for patchy areas, and if they begin to stain easily. If it happens, it’s because it’s time to reapply the sealant.

Tips For Travertine Maintenance

It is also important to take a series of other precautions with your travertine pavers, besides sealing. This care will allow them to maintain a beautiful appearance for much longer.

Does Sealed Travertine Stain?

No. That’s exactly the point of sealing pavers. When sealed, paver are protected against stains and any kind of etching. Topic sealers do that job even better, but they affect the appearance of the pavers more than penetrating sealers.

Can I Seal Travertine Myself?

The process of sealing is relatively simple, albeit not recommended to do it by yourself on the account of the complexity of choosing the right kind of sealer for the job. Your best course of action is to ask for professional help when considering sealing options.

Does Sealing Travertine Make It Slippery?

Depends on what kind of sealer you use. Topic sealers, the ones that form a coat on top of the pavers once they are dry, usually become slippery when wet. Impregnating sealers, however, do not become slippery.

How Do You Clean Travertine Pavers Before Sealing?

The best possible way to do a good cleaning of travertine before sealing it is to use a pressure washer followed by a dust mop to keep it dry. Travertine is a somewhat porous material, so it is important to dust it really well.

Can You Pressure Wash Travertine Pavers?

You should always give preference to cleaning your sealed travertine pavers with fiber brushes, mild soap or detergent, and water.

Use pressurized water only in the most extreme cases, but always with a light spray. And you must reapply the sealant after this process.

Does Sealing Travertine Change Its Color?

Sealing always changes the color of pavers a little, especially right after they are applied. That might scare unsuspecting homeowners at first, but it’s a normal reaction. The goal is to use a sealer that can protect your pavers as well as possible without altering its colors too much.

How Do You Get Stains Out Of Travertine Pavers?

As long as you observe the points mentioned earlier in this article and reapply the sealant whenever necessary, staining won’t happen easily.

However, you may still have to clean up some localized stains. In which case, here is what you’ll do: Combine equal parts of water and baking soda with just a splash of your regular cleaning agent. Mix until pasty and scrub into the travertine tile or paver you’d like to clean. Then, treat the surface area of the stain with a thick coating of the mix and allow it to sit for 15 to 30 minutes.

Can You Use Vinegar On Travertine?

Avoid, at any cost, using vinegar, ammonia, lemon, orange, or any citrus fruits for cleaning travertine. The acid present on its composition will dull travertine pavers.

Despite being quite resilient, it is extremely necessary to regularly maintain and clean your travertine pavers. Always follow the recommendations and guidelines, especially those established by the company that installed the travertine pavers in the first place. That way, they will maintain an attractive appearance for an extended period of time. 

To end this section, let’s go over some quick and practical cleaning tips:

  1. Sweep regularly – Just by sweeping the floor regularly, to remove dust and other debris, you will notice a considerable improvement in the appearance of travertine pavers.
  2. Mop weekly – A regular mop is your best friend against some minor stains that buildup over time.
  3. Clean spills as they happen – Especially if they’re chemical products or citrus.
  4. Use rugs – As simple as it may sound, by keeping a rug or a carpet, especially where there is more people traffic, you can avoid travertine from being scratched. Not only will it remind people to clean their shoes, but also to take them off whenever possible.
Look at this glow!

What Is The Best Sealer For Travertine

The most common types of sealers are water-based. As mentioned earlier, most of them have already been prepared with a formula that’s anti-slip.

There are several brands on the market. Some are better than others, others are specifically formulated for travertine pavers in a specific area of your home.

From the selection of the sealer to its application, the sealing process requires a certain level of knowledge and experience. At S&S Pavers we have 10+ years of experience with travertine pavers installation and maintenance. If you live in the Sarasota and Manatee counties, leave us a message or give us a call. We will be happy to offer a free estimate.

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