grouting travertine

[maudegonne]

No knickers in a twist just that if you can lay ceramics it doesnt give you the qualification to lay stone as you are finding out.

You asked the question and you were answered but then you questioned validity of the answer I have found these 2 threads which you have obviously missed in your search. They will give you an insite ........


http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-forum/7934-unfilled-travetine.html?highlight=unfilled

http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-forum/7599-sealing-travertine.html?highlight=unfilled


Please learn by this............

tiler

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Thank you for that. I indeed missed those.... Those treads were very informative!
I always like to understand the reasons for doing things......
The grouted walls that I did look absolutely fine, but it was indeed a lot harder than ceramic tiles. I was wondering if I did something wrong.. but you are clearly pointing out that natural stone and ceramic are very different to work with.

Thank you for your help!!

 

[wetdec]

It is no trouble at all, I will talk all day if it means helping anyone learn the basics of stone as there just isnt enough understanding out there.

If you dont ask you dont learn no matter how silly you may think the question there is always an answer !!!!!

tiler

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PS, threads has a h in it even in Ireland :lol:

..

 

[TilingLogistics]

Why would you seal a surface that you want to fill then doesnt this prevent absorbtion by the porus surface so reducing or eliminating the opotunity of grab for the grout you are using.

As well as the above I would think stone is rarely dry on arrival, is re-wetted when laid by the adhesive and wiping down, if you seal it where does all the moisture go assuming you use a water based sealer as a chemical one won't work anyway will it ?

tiler



I have to ask for my own peace of mind a couple of questions!!!

If you preseal prior to grouting as indeed Enduro does and I used to in some situations?

How does a penetrating sealer with a water carrier prevent grout from grabbing the surface?

Whether the stone is dry or not what is to prevent you using a sealer with a water based carrier?

Kev

 

[maudegonne]

Sorry about that. Although I live in Ireland, English is not my native language...... Next time I will use the spell check.

Wow... learning tiling and english at the same time!!!!

 

[wetdec]

How does a penetrating sealer with a water carrier prevent grout from grabbing the surface?

But it doesnt does it you should know that so why would you bother using it !! We are talking about filling If you fill a hole that has had a sealer aplied then where is your moisture going to go it will have to dry inwards and the grab has to be reduced

[FONT=&quot]Whether the stone is dry or not what is to prevent you using a sealer with a water based carrier?[/FONT]

Nothing thats why I said

[FONT=&quot] assuming you use a water based sealer as a chemical one won't work anyway will it ?
[/FONT]

 

[Peter]

Personally I never seal until after grouting is complete. Never had any bother with grout caking on or staining.

 

[SnipSnap]

....Where it can look good on the day popping of fillers and grout expecially on wooden floors is a very disheartening sight and part of the reasoning behind dirty stone.

..

That's interesting....

Can you tell us more about the above? or have a link?

Thanks.

 

[wetdec]

What can I tell you on this Snip ?

Will help if I can

tiler

..

 

[MICK the Tiler]

I have to support wetdec on the advice given about laying and grouting stone his words of wisdom should be a solid guiding path to laying and grouting stone products.

Stone doesn't allow for quick instalation it just can't be slapped down like ceramic and must be handled and laid with care. As a example fixing 10m2 of unfilled trav can take up to 3 days to complete. Don't be in a hurry have plenty of spare buckets with clean water only seal after grouting an wipe down canstanly with a damp not wet sponge. Only grout up about 1m2 at a time and finish each section before moving on to the next one. Be paitent don't be hurried work clean but steady. Just follow a few of these points and also those made by wetdec and you will be rewarded with a beautiful long lasting stone project.

 

[wetdec]

Thank you Mick thats very kind of you to say !!


tiler

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[SnipSnap]

What can I tell you on this Snip ?

Will help if I can

tiler

..

I do not do much of travertine laying but on all the work I have done so far I never had any problem with popping filler and grout. When you say filler do you mean the resin?

I know someone had a problem with that (filler popping out) but he (and I) assumed that it was to do with the manufacturing process.

I belive that he re-filled the stone with some resin but I cannot say what he used.

How can this filler popping happen?

As a coincidence I am doing a honed and filled tranertine floor on timber at the moment :yes: .