Although it is not necessary to seal travertine pavers, doing so will bring out the natural beauty and splendor of the travertine. Sealing may be preferred on a patio that is frequently used for entertaining, as it will protect against spills from food and wine, which may stain the Travertine. Some clients prefer to use a non-slip “shark skin” sealer to provide more traction to a chiseled paver on a driveway.

Advantages of sealing travertine pavers:

Sealing the pavers is also a good way to protect the stone against stains and mildew. Sealer that penetrates deep into the travertine’s pores will retain the stone’s natural texture while ensuring that stains don’t soak in and mildew won’t grow. If your travertine is on a pool deck where you frequently entertain guests, sealer will ensure that there’s minimal damage caused by accidental spills from things like wine and soda.

Disadvantages of sealing travertine pavers:

Upkeep. A professional quality sealer will need to be reapplied every 5 years or so. Depending on the brand of the sealer, you may need to reapply every year or every other year. That being said, sealing is a very easy DIY task and you should be able to do it by yourself one afternoon.

How to Seal Travertine Pavers:

What you will need:

-Travertine Cleaner

-Travertine Sealer

-Spray bottle filled with water

-Roller brush

-Absorbent white clean cloth

Step 1 – Cleaning Your Travertine Pavers

Before you apply the sealer, clean the travertine pavers with a cleaner that is suggested by the sealer you selected. Because chemicals interact differently with each other it is important to use a cleaner that is suitable for use with the sealer. Start cleaning the installed travertine pavers according to the cleaning product’s instructions thoroughly. Rinse well after cleaning and let it dry for an hour. After the travertine pavers dry, look for any residues, leaves or particles and sweep them with a clean broom.

Step 2 – Applying the Travertine Sealer

Apply a light coat of water with the spray bottle over the surface of the travertine pavers. Wait just a minute for the water to begin drying, but don’t wait too long until all the water dries out. Use the roller brush to apply the sealer, based on sealer’s recommendations. Be sure to apply a thin layer on the entire surface of the pavers. After about 30 minutes, wipe off excess sealer, using an absorbent clean cloth. Use a white cloth in order not to pass dyes to the pavers.

Step 3 – Finishing

Apply a second coat (if in accordance with your sealer brand) of sealer right after removing excess sealer from the first application. Allow 24 hours for the sealer to be fully absorbed  before allowing traffic.