I'm doing a travertine countertop in a 1/2 bath, and curious what the consensus is on sealing before grouting? The grout is very similar in color to the tile, and it's tumbled tile so it's "rough" with little pockets in the surface and such. Might want the grout to smooth the surface a bit too?

When we had tumbled natural stone done they did notpre seal. That said I am in the process of doing natural slate and am going to preseal cause the grout is a bit lighter than the slate. If colors are fairly close I would say don't waste the time.

I did slate in my upstairs bath and presealed that. I wanted it glossier and the colors to pop, but this I want duller and a more even color. <BR> <BR>I guess my question is if presealing is generally recommended on natural stone? <BR> <BR>Thanks for the reply.

What you wanna do if you haven't installed the stone yet you can lay it out on the ground and seal the stone. <BR>This will make it easy for anything that gets on the stone to be removed. <BR>If the stone is installed same thing seal it. They have lots of sealers that you can simply spray on and the stone will soak it in and you simply re apply sealer till the stone wont take anymore.

I recomend the Mira Seal 511 <BR><a href="http://www.miraclesealants.com/" target="_blank">http://www.miraclesealants.com/</a>

The 511 G recommends is the industry standard, and the best I know of. <BR> <BR> You could also use a grout release, which is more of a temporary seal which aids in cleaning the tile or stone after grouting. They work quite well, we use these often when the client prefers not to have a permanently sealed product. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.google.com/products?sourceid=navclient&amp;rlz=1T4DMUS_enUS22 2US222&amp;q=grout+release&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ei=yqNXS9WaHoaMswOuzamOCA&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=pr oduct_result_group&amp;ct=title&amp;resnum=3&amp;v ed=0CB8QrQQwAg" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/products?sourceid=navclient&amp;rlz=1T4DMUS_enUS22 2US222&amp;q=grout+release&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ei=yqNXS9WaHoaMswOuzamOCA&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=pr oduct_result_group&amp;ct=title&amp;resnum=3&amp;v ed=0CB8QrQQwAg</a>

Chris, Do I need to worry about the seal getting on the sides of the tile before grouting? Figuring that the grout would not adhere well to the tile.

Manzo ~ No, it's what the products are meant to be used for, most are water base, so it's somewhat temporary, just an aid when grouting and wiping off. <BR>The stone eventually dries with a more natural unsealed look, if that's what you prefer.

I always give it a coat after installation before grouting, then another coat a couple days after grouting to get a good seal on the grout too. Also the 511 impregnator is good, but Stonetech Bulletproof sealer is the best I have found.

thanks Guys... I am going to seal after grout and before since the slate hold the grout to well if not. i was worried about the adhesion though. Good to know it wont be an issue...

You especially have to seal slate before grouting. The slate will pull the moisture out of the grout too fast and the slate will also take on some of the color of the grout around the edges if not done. You can use a grout release, but sealer works fine.

Well, I went ahead and grouted my travertine without sealing it first. I wanted the grout to fill in the rough spots on the tile, and I like the way it came out. I will seal it after I'm all done. <BR> <BR>I have and always would seal slate before and after. <BR> <BR>So far: <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/4387/770040.jpg" alt="tile">

Trace, looks great!! Ya it is not necessary to seal the tumbled travertine before grouting, but definitely do it after. What are you doing for your backsplash?

Thanks! Backsplash will be the same tile but 4x4 instead of 6x6. You can see a couple of them on the left of the pic. I'm doing the floor in the same material too, but probably 16x16 on the diagonal. Nasty old honey oak cabinets will be painted too. <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

Looks great. I like that tile alot.