Help with Travertine coping.

[Diggletree]

We are having a pool built and are concerned with the grout they used on the coping. We have no experience with travertine but it sure seems like they should have used a grout that was a similar color. It looks dirty and has dark grout in all the pores. Any advice would be appreciated. I'm debating having them tear it out and need help. Thanks

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[spoonman]

I'm no expert, but my guess is that the builder uses (or suggests) a darker color to avoid looking dirty when certain areas of the grout inevitably become dirty. Since the dirt may not be consistent across the patio grout, choosing a uniformly dark color could mitigate this issue. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Diggletree]

Thanks for the reply. Using a darker color to avoid it looking dirty makes sense. I just haven't seen any pictures of travertine with dark grout. I was kind of shocked when i came home and seen the pores full of dark grout. Is using a dark color common?

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[spoonman]

I'm not sure what is the norm, but if you hate the look, you may be wise to change the color.

Is the grout still wet? Perhaps it will lighten after drying fully.

 

[Diggletree]

It's dry or cured. In 2 of the pictures it's wet from washing it with the hose. The picture of the column with the crooked tiles is dry. It's lighter when dry, kinda grayish.

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[bdrex28]

I think it looks like an error. Also in that first picture all your masonry cuts and lines are not lined up correctly at all. I think I'd have them re-do that as well. You are paying a lot of money for a project to be constructed correctly and that's how it should be done.

 

[Diggletree]

I'm meeting the pool builder this afternoon. Has anyone ever seen travertine grouted with dark grout?

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[BigEinAZ]

That's a sloppy job all around, joints, cuts, grout. No professional can claim that looks good. I'll be an expensive re-do. Expect some push-back from them . . .

 

[bdrex28]

That's a sloppy job all around, joints, cuts, grout. No professional can claim that looks good. I'll be an expensive re-do. Expect some push-back from them . . .

You're right and I'd strongly encourage op to discuss with their PB.

 

[Diggletree]

Meet with the pool builder today. He is going to redo the tops of the 2 colums. He agreed the grey grout highlights the poor workmanship. He said they can grind out the grout and put in a grout that will match the tiles. They will grout the pores with the new grout and it should hide most of the gray.

Any opinions, have them grind it out or leave it alone?

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[Marlahoutex]

I would have them grind it out. Are you picking the grout color this time?

 

[Diggletree]

Yes we will be picking the color. A bit worried that it could end up looking worse. Also there is no way they can get it out of all the pores. They can fill the pores with the new grout but still going to see some dark spots.

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[Marlahoutex]

I would have them regrout the whole thing, not just the tops of the columns. That will definitely look odd (imho) if they are one color and the coping is another color of grout.

 

[Diggletree]

They are going to tear the tops of the colums completely off and redo. Because the pieces are so crooked. Grind out every mortar joint on the pool so they will all be the same.

Sorry maybe what I wrote was confusing.

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[Marlahoutex]

Sounds great!

 

[bdrex28]

that's great!! Glad you got them to fix it.

 

[Technobuyer]

I'm glad you're going to be able to get that fixed. If it was me, I'd definitely want a more complimentary color grout.

 

[Frank Rizzo]

That looks like junk-ola in my opinion. Especially the uneven width of the joints...and what is with the odd ball double angle cut?
even if they grind out the joints, it will still be in the pores and will look odd. I say you have to live with it now. I'd want to know what kind of grout it is. Is it epoxy?? That is really the most important issue now (in my opinion).

check Lacticrete Epoxy Grouts - LATICRETE

 

[Diggletree]

That looks like junk-ola in my opinion. Especially the uneven width of the joints...and what is with the odd ball double angle cut?
even if they grind out the joints, it will still be in the pores and will look odd. I say you have to live with it now. I'd want to know what kind of grout it is. Is it epoxy?? That is really the most important issue now (in my opinion).

check Lacticrete Epoxy Grouts - LATICRETE

I think your right Frank, I'm gonna have to live with the grout color. I think it will look worse trying to change it now. My wife and I walked the perimeter and blue taped the real bad joints. Going to have those tiles removed and reinstalled straight this time. Also both colums getting total demo and redone.

Sanded grout

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[goober71]

Hi there
im getting travertine coping on my pool as well. My PB used light grout between the tiles, which are similar in color to yours. It looks much better and the joints don't stand out as much.
Also, on the raised beam, they used bigger tiles, so there isn't a separate piece behind each tile. I wonder why ur PB didn't do that. Try asking him and see if he can.
Thanks.

G