5 Risks of Not Sealing Your Natural Stone Shower

Choosing natural stone for your shower can make it feel like your own private spa. Stepping inside can feel like stepping into the grotto around your own private waterfall. You can create a tranquil space that you will love to spend time in, as well as a beautiful look that will impress guests and improve the value of your home.

Natural stone is a long-lasting tile option, resistant to a lot of damage, and easy to maintain. In addition to regularly cleaning the stone with a mild cleanser, the most important thing you can do to protect the life of the tile is to seal it. Rather than focusing on the benefits, which can seem abstract to many people, we’re going to lay out the risks of NOT sealing so you understand exactly what kind of problems you would face because of your negligence:

Water Damage

Travertine is limestone that has been hardened by proximity to hot springs. Though it is a harder stone than some, it is still quite porous. If it is not sealed, water can easily penetrate it. That might not seem like such a big deal since travertine is a durable stone and it’s just water, but water can cause extensive damage.

Your shower tile will be constantly exposed to water. Over time, the water can weaken the stone, which can lead to fissures or cracks in the tile. Eventually, the water can penetrate to the subfloor, and once it does that, it can spread to other parts of your home. Water can trap bacteria in the tile, and it can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew in the subfloor. Fixing water damage can be quite time-consuming and expensive.

Staining

Have you ever tried to clean those dark lines between your shower tile, but it seems like no matter how hard you scrub, you just can’t get them clean? That’s because you’ve got staining. Prolonged exposure to water, the growth of bacteria, and dyes from personal products like shampoos and body washes can all stain your travertine tile and grout if you don’t invest in shower tile sealing.

By sealing your travertine shower tile, you protect it against stains from staining and prevent permanent damage to your tile.

Shorter Life Span

Whether your travertine is weakened by prolonged exposure to water or through harsh chemicals and scrubbing from trying to get rid of staining, failing to seal it can shorten its life span considerably. With the right care, your travertine tile can last for centuries – well past the time you should have to think about it in your life time. Without the right care, you will have to repair or replace the tile far ahead of schedule. Wouldn’t it be so much better to just leave your tile shower floor and surround as they are and not have to think about replacing them?

Increased Costs

Repairing your tile shower will not be cheap. Replacing a tile shower or bathroom floor requires most to take out a home-equity line of credit. If you want to avoid these extensive costs, you will need to clean your tile floor regularly and keep it sealed.

Without sealing, you will also have to rely on the services of a professional tile cleaning company in Mesa more regularly. While shower tile cleaning is less expensive than replacement, those costs will still add up.

Uglier Appearance

Sealed tile has a glossy, “wet” look that is perfect for a shower surround. Unsealed tile can look dry, dull, and vaguely chalky. Tile like that looks vaguely dirty, even when it’s not. Keeping your shower tile sealed will make your shower and your bathroom look more luxurious and inviting. That will also contribute to an increased value of your home, whether you want to be able to tap into your equity or to sell your home later.

There are too many risks to your travertine shower tile if you don’t seal it. By taking this simple step, you can protect your tile and your investment. You’ll make your home look great, and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and money in the long run.

Arizona Stone Care provides professional shower tile sealing in Mesa to protect your bathroom’s most important asset. Before we seal, we perform thorough shower tile cleaning to ensure that no stains or bacteria are being trapped by the seal. When we’re done, your shower will look refreshed and beautiful. Call us today to find out why we’re the tile cleaning company that Arizona homeowners prefer and get a free estimate for your shower tile sealing or cleaning.

Published By:
Arizona Stone Care

Phone: (559) 660-6002