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Expert Answers
Are Travertine Tiles Suppose To Be Damp Out Of The box?
QUESTION
Are Travertine Tiles suppose to be damp out of the box? I purchased and started installation of travertine floor. Stopped install when I saw that the color was dark tan instead of light beige. Took a tile back to supplier and he said the tiles are wet and will dry out in a couple of weeks to two months and then turn light in color. He dried a corner with a blow torch and it did lighten some. I am extremely upset that this material was sold to us in this wet condition--am I being too sensitive or am I right to be upset and concerned? Even though floor was more than half installed, I was willing to have it torn out and redone, but they assured us that it was okay and to not worry about it.ANSWER
ANSWER - It is not unusual for stone to be damp when received as it is normally packaged damp and in air tight containers so it won't be completely dry.Since natural stone can vary in appearance from shipment to shipment, you should layout a number of pieces before installation and have them dry out in order to make sure you will be satisfied with the appearance before they get installed. It is a lot more expensive and inconvenient to have to replace the stone after it is installed rather than before it is installed. Also keep in mind that depending on what type of sealer you use to seal the tile and grout after the installation that it can darken the stone to some degree. Using an enhancer will darken it and enhance the colors of the stone, where regular penetrating sealers may or may not darken it.
For links to the websites of the companies who provide these cleaners and sealers go to our website www.CTaSC.com and go to our cleaners and sealers page in our Resources column. Good luck.
