Travertine - to clean and seal or not?

[Slpoolowner]

All
Moved in to the new house about a year ago. The travertine that surrounds my pool was installed about five years ago and is in good condition. I’d like to do some preventive maintenance, but want some thoughts on whether I need to clean and seal it this summer? Is it worth the time and money and lower back pain? Any suggestions on what product(s) to use? Did you clean with a travertine cleanser before sealing?

 

[DJFaninTN]

once you start sealing travertine you will be required to keep it up.

we have chosen not to seal but to keep it clean with a very light pressure washing and ph neutral soap. an electric power washer will be used with a low flow head. we don't want to wash the sand out that is between the pavers.

 

[duraleigh]

Is it worth the time and money and lower back pain?

NO! Travertine looks best IMO when it is natural looking.....not glossy perfect. Clean as DJFaninTN says and perhaps add a little chlorine to the spray from time to time. You will surely get a little algae in the pits and the chlorine helps minimize that.

 

[Slpoolowner]

Thanks dj. Great advice. Curious what type of soap brand do you use? I see there are limestone and travertine stone soaps but are they ph neutral?

once you start sealing travertine you will be required to keep it up.

we have chosen not to seal but to keep it clean with a very light pressure washing and ph neutral soap. an electric power washer will be used with a low flow head. we don't want to wash the sand out that is between the pavers.

 

[DJFaninTN]

there are some out there on the market that are ph neutral that says they are made for stone. personally I don't think there is a difference in ones made for stone and just plain ph neutral products. I may be going with a car wash soap that is ph natural and using it in a foam cannon to cover the deck and then rinse off with a power washer.

 

[Pprior]

What happens if that car soap gets into the pool? (honest question from soon to be first time travertine and pool owners.

 

[DJFaninTN]

well I guess it would depend on which car soap you used. some have waxes and fillers in them. there are a few out there that don't and are very pH neutral. I am not planning of foaming the travertine with a ton of soap but more of a very light use or just enough to help lift the grime off the surface. my plan is to keep as much away from the actual pool water as I possibly can.

 

[Neto]

You should research drytreat 40sk, its expensive stuff but will not leave travertine glossy and will prevent absorption.