Can you use grout and tile sealer on travertine?

by Linda
(Chesapeake, VA)

What effects does grout and tile sealer have on travertine? The contractor used it on the travertine shower shelves and now they look blotchy, liked they have been stained.

Linda,

Usually grout sealer should be fine on travertine. Grout sealer's are penetrating sealers, which shouldn't leave a finish on grout nor natural stone.

You need to ask your contractor to come back and see what he did and find out what sealer he used. If it was some sort of coating, which leaves a finish, then this could leave some noticeable change in the look of the travertine.

I've never experienced any penetrating sealer to leave any staining or blotchy appearance on travertine. This is why it leads me to believe something else was applied.

If something else was applied, then it needs to be stripped with a coating/sealer remover, which are available. Have your contractor find it and do the stripping. It's his responsibility if he's a licensed and ethical contractor.

Good luck! I hope this works out.

Pedro