Pros and Cons of Sealing Travertine Pavers

Travertine pavers are beautiful thick stones which are used for paving outdoor areas like pathways, hallways and pool areas. Travertine pavers are widely used around the globe in projects. With their elegant designs, travertine pavers in walkways and driveways beautify the appearance of your home. In addition, travertine pavers are also perfect for areas where aesthetics are the main priority. For the past decade travertine pavers in patios have become an integral part of landscaping and a practical choice for homeowners looking for a renovation.  Moreover, travertine has become a top priority of designers because of its long life and durability.

Travertine pavers are susceptible to damage, no matter how durable or tough they are, either by staining, fading of colors or even weather corrosion. In driveways and areas of high foot activity they are more prone to damage. In order to increase the durability and longevity of pavers sealing them is the best option. However, sealing your patio is not mandatory, but most professional recommend sealing travertine pavers. At the end, usage of a sealer depends on the fact that how long you want your pavers to last. However, travertine pavers come with their own pros and cons which we have discussed in this article.

Listed below are some of the pros and cons that will help you decide whether to seal your natural stone pavers or not.

Advantages of Sealing Travertine Pavers:

Sealing pavers is a good idea and it comes with certain advantages. These pavers not only increase life of your stone but also make it durable. Here are some top reasons why travertine paver sealers should be used.

Weather Protection:

In cold regions unsealed travertine pavers can be damaged by ice and snow during freeze and thaw cycle. When ice melts, water can seep into the stone. When this water mixes with dust and sand in the stone it leads to the formation of mud puddle which can, in turn lead to cracks in the stone. Sealers prevent this dust and water from going into the pavers thus preventing such complications.

Weed and Mildew Protection:

Moisture, dust, and a suitable temperature allows mildews and weeds to grow just about anywhere and without sealers they grow into the pavers causing severe damage. By sealing the pavers weeds and mildews still grow but they do not go inside the space between the pavers and remain on the surface making it easier to remove them.

External Appearance:

Sealers form a layer on the surface of the pavers, this layer reflects light giving the stone a shiny and glossy look which gives a clean appearance. They protect the surface from stains such as oil and grease. Sealers also prevent the color of the pavers from fading.

Enhanced Resilience and longevity:

Sealers promote resilience against corrosion and ensure longevity. They protect pavers in high traffic areas from wear and tear. They are responsible for increasing life of the stone.

Protection against acidic substances:

Travertine is a natural stone made up of mostly calcium salts and it reacts easily with materials acidic in nature even the most innocuous foods items such as beverages and fruit juice can damage them and cause a permanent stain on the surface. Sealers prevent these substances from soaking into the surface allowing you to clean the surface with a simple broom. The most widely used sealers for protection against acidic substances are granite sealers.

Preventing Water Damage:

Travertine has a porous structure this causes water to get absorbed into the pores of the paver dissolving the salt within the stone and weakening it. This is a common problem on pool decks and in shower areas. Sealers act as a water repellent, and they prevent it from being absorbed thereby protecting the pavers from such erosion.

Disadvantages of Sealing Travertine Pavers:

Travertine paver sealers are not always good and there can be certain disadvantages of them as well. Here we have discussed few disadvantages of these pavers. Knowing them before you go for these pavers is always a good idea.

Cost of Sealers:

Sealers come in two qualities i.e. standard and premium. Standard quality is usually suitable for indoor installations like travertine tiles. Pavers on the other hand are installed outdoors i.e. in driveways and high traffic areas. Cheaper standard quality sealers are not much of a use in such areas because they form a thin film which wears off soon. It is better to go with the premium sealers. They are more reliable but might put a slight dent in your wallet.

Reapplication:

Regular maintenance is reduced with the help of sealers however they do require reapplication after a certain period of time in order to maintain an optimum level of protection. On average the reapplication is usually in the span of 1-2 years.

Hazardous Chemical:

Certain sealers especially those which give a glossy look to the stone have chemicals that can reduce the coefficient of friction of the pavers thus causing them to become more slippery. There are also some acrylic based sealers which can become hazardous in case of fire

Precautionary measures:

All sealants require the applier to wear safety equipment like gloves and mask. The mask is especially important for those who have breathing problems as inhaling these chemicals can be dangerous. Also, it is recommended to avoid windy days for sealing as it can lead to contamination of plants nearby.

Conclusion:

Sealing travertine pavers is one of the most effective maintenance methods. Sealers give your pavers the resilience to withstand harsh weather conditions and high traffic. They also protect them against stains. The only major drawback is that you have to reapply them periodically every 2 years or so. However, sealing is not a difficult process and can be done within a few hours.