cleaning travetine

[swanny944]

I have just had my kitchen splashback wall & around the window tiled with chiaro tumbled travertine-it looks stunning-I am going to seal it before & after grouting but my question is do I need to clean the tiles with something before I seal them ? the job was finished about 1 week ago-also I am told to use unsanded grout which I am having problems finding-what is the best grout to use & also does it need to be possibly "ivory" coloured to match the tiles.
thankyou for any advice

 

[Sean SML Tiling]

Normal flexible grout is fine. Normally go for limestone with most trav. Once the job is fully complete best to use lithofin mm wash and clean to keep them looking new. Also seal with lithofin mm stain stop. Waste of time using cheap stuff

 

[Lithofin BOB]

Hi, if your tiles are a little dusty wipe over with a damp cloth to remove , leave a day or so to release moisture. If the tiles require more cleaning use a light alkaline stone cleaner and white emulsifying pad.

Ensure you extend your drying times before sealing, if you give a deeper clean.

If you want to leave the tiles the same colour , seal the tiles with a suitable impregnating sealer face and edge. Remove all excess, no wet look finish and let dry!!

If you want to enhance the colour, use a combined enhancer and impregnating seal.

Let cure for 12-24 hr

Grout ( with your chosen grout, sorry cant advise here

Once grout dry ( 5-7 days or until fully dry ) fitters will laff at this, lol

Seal again with the impregnator to include grout, remove all excess.

 

[Mr Tiler]

ivory grout looks great with trav i see it done all the time.

 

[Mr Tiler]

that comment wasnt any contradiction to seans advice though its just what we use

 

[Stef]

I always give travertine a wash down with clean water, leave to dry then seal.
Once sealer is dry (stainstop) I then grout & leave to dry, wash off with clean water again, leave to dry then reseal...
I always use bal ivory grout for trav...

 

[m3fitter]

I take my travertine home, and wash thoroughly in the bath with me, me and my partner then dry it thoroughly, especially in the creases.... when dry, we then colour co ordinate it dependent on what shade it is, wrap it in bubble wrap and take it back on site, where we then ask the client where they would like each tile laid, obviously dependent on where their light falls... we ground the wastage up and mix it with resin to make colour coordinating grout... hope it helps ;-)

 

[Rookery]

With tumbled travertine I wipe down with a damp sponge to remove the dust, then grout, then seal twice with Lithofin Stainstop. I usually use Mapei Jasmine with pale coloured trav.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Who fixed the tiles?

 

[swanny944]

thank you all so much for your replys - very informative & helpful
timeless john - my son did the tiling
thankyou all again xx

 

[Mr Tiler]

helpful tip for your son, if theres adhesive still on the tiles that has set... tell him to was as he goes

 

[nybor62]

could give a good clean with lithofin wexa

 

[Daz]

I appreciate that it was your son that did the tiling, however when I tile a job I also sign up for the grouting and sealing so that my customers don't have the stress. What does your son suggest you do next?

 

[thompsonbrown]

I take my travertine home, and wash thoroughly in the bath with me, me and my partner then dry it thoroughly, especially in the creases.... when dry, we then colour co ordinate it dependent on what shade it is, wrap it in bubble wrap and take it back on site, where we then ask the client where they would like each tile laid, obviously dependent on where their light falls... we ground the wastage up and mix it with resin to make colour coordinating grout... hope it helps ;-)

I do exactly the same, Also tumbled travertine can be dried using a tumble drier :lol:

 

[swanny944]

hi there,
we have sponged the tiles with clean water,allowed to dry & have sealed twice - I have ivory grout & an empty cartridge to TRY & make sure that the grout only goes in the gaps & not on the face !! lol I realise that this is not going to be the easiest of tasks but if we (hubby & me) take our time I,m hopeing it will be o.k.my son would do it if I asked him but I think this one is within our capabilities - fingers crossed lol - slowly does it