Travertine, marble, and limestone make beautiful pool decks, patios, coping, and outdoor kitchens. They are also soft, porous, calcium-based stones. Florida sun, salt, pool water, and summer rain work into them every day. The right penetrating sealer for natural stone protects them from the inside without changing how they look or feel.
Paver Sealing Florida is family-owned and based in Brandon. We have cleaned and sealed outdoor stone across Tampa Bay since 2006, and owners Steve and Sam do every job. All of our stone work is outside the home: pool decks, coping, patios, lanais, walkways, entries, steps, and outdoor kitchens.
Which Stone Do You Have?
Most outdoor stone around Tampa Bay pools is travertine, marble, or limestone. All three are calcium-based, so they share the same weak spots. They absorb water, react to acids, and can be roughened by high pressure. Each one still has its own personality.
Travertine
Travertine is a type of limestone formed around mineral springs, which is why it has natural holes. It stays cooler underfoot than concrete, so it is a favorite for pool decks. The holes and joints can hold dirt and black mildew. Start with our travertine cleaning and sealing page, or see how travertine compares to pavers.
Marble
Marble is limestone that was transformed by heat and pressure. It is denser, with more veining, but it is still soft and reacts to acids. Sandblasted and tumbled marble are popular around pools because the texture adds grip. See marble paver sealing and our guide to sandblasted marble care.
Limestone
Limestone forms from compressed shells and sediment and is usually soft and porous. Shady, damp spots grow mildew and algae fast. Our limestone and marble cleaning and sealing page covers it in detail.
Patios, Lanais, and Outdoor Kitchens
Stone isn't just around the pool. Travertine and marble also show up on patios, lanais, walkways, front entries, steps, and outdoor kitchen floors. Outdoor kitchens add grease, food, and drink spills to the usual sun and rain. Clean spills quickly, especially wine, coffee, and citrus. See our tips on outdoor kitchen stone cleaning and sealing.
Not sure what you have? We confirm the stone and finish during your free estimate. Then we test cleaners and sealers on a small area. Our marble and stone FAQs answer the common questions too.
Shellstone Cleaning, Sealing and Non-Slip Coatings
Shellstone is a natural stone made of compressed shell and coral fragments. It stays cool underfoot, so you see it on Florida pool decks, coping and patios. It is also very porous, which means it soaks up water, pool chemicals, and dirt fast.
We clean shellstone at low pressure with stone-safe products, so the soft surface and the shell texture stay intact. Then we apply a breathable penetrating sealer that helps keep out stains and salt without leaving a film. Ask about non-slip coatings for shellstone if your deck gets slick when wet. Shellstone coping gets the same care as the deck; see shellstone and travertine pool coping sealing.
How Penetrating Sealers Protect Stone
A penetrating sealer soaks into the pores and reacts there. Silane and siloxane chemistry creates a water-repellent zone below the surface. There is no film on top, so there is nothing to peel, scuff, or turn cloudy. Moisture vapor can still escape, which matters in our humid weather.
That is why a penetrating sealer is usually the best choice for natural stone. It repels water and salt, slows mildew, and makes cleaning easier. It also keeps the natural texture and traction of the stone.
For most Florida travertine pool decks and patios, we use Trident Break Wall. It is a water-based, low-VOC penetrating sealer that stays invisible and lets the stone breathe. Trident Sea Wall is a solvent-based option. We choose based on the stone and how much salt and water it sees. Compare them on our Trident penetrating sealers page.
We don't use film-forming wet look sealers on marble. Trident's own data sheet for Hurricane CAT 5 says it isn't recommended for marble or polished and honed stone. Film-forming sealers are a great fit for concrete pavers, not soft stone.
Our Stone Sealing Process
- Identify and test. We confirm the stone and finish, then test on a small area.
- Stone-safe cleaning. Non-acidic cleaners, low pressure, and gentle agitation.
- Stain treatment. Mildew, rust, efflorescence, and mineral deposits get stone-safe products.
- Dry time. The stone must dry completely so the sealer can soak in.
- Penetrating sealer. Applied evenly, with excess removed before it dries.
Stains We Treat Before Sealing
Sealing locks in whatever is on the stone, so stains come out first. We treat orange rust from well water and irrigation, tannin stains from oak leaves, black mildew, and green algae. White haze is often efflorescence or dried pool water and salt. Many rust removers are acidic, so we test a stone-safe treatment on a small area first. See marble stain removal near you. Learn more about rust and stain removal on stone.
Timing helps too. Spring is the best time to seal, before the summer rains start.
Want to check your own stone? Pour a little water on a dry spot. If it darkens the stone and soaks in within a minute or two, the stone is unprotected. If it beads up, your sealer is still working.
Natural or Enhanced Finish
Some homeowners want their stone to look exactly as it does today, just protected. Others want the colors to pop the way stone does when it is wet. Both are options.
An invisible penetrating sealer keeps the natural color and texture. An enhancing option brings out richer color. On travertine, we test both on a small area so you can choose before we seal the whole deck. On marble and limestone, we can discuss enhancing options and test first too.
Enhancing or glossy finishes can feel slicker when wet, so we talk through slip resistance at the same time. Between sealings, our travertine care guide covers easy upkeep.
Stone Around Salt Water Pools
Salt water pools are hard on travertine, marble, and limestone. Pool water splashes onto the deck, soaks in, and dries into salt crystals. Over time those crystals wear the surface and can cause flaking. Homes near Tampa Bay and the Gulf get salt air on top of that.
- Seal with a breathable penetrating sealer to reduce how much salt gets in.
- Rinse the stone with fresh water often, especially near the pool edge.
- Skip vinegar, lemon, and acid-based rust or efflorescence removers.
- Watch for white haze or crusty deposits. They need the right cleaner before sealing.
Sealing doesn't make stone salt-proof. It slows salt down and makes every rinse more effective. Read more about travertine around salt water pools.
Pool Coping
Pool coping takes more punishment than any other stone on the property. It sees constant splash-out, salt or chlorine, sunscreen, full sun, and bare feet. That is why coping usually shows wear first.
We clean coping with stone-safe products and seal it with a breathable penetrating sealer. That includes the bullnose edge and the face of the coping, not just the top. On pool deck jobs, we clean the pool the same day. Read more about sealing pool coping and our pool deck cleaning and sealing service.
Slip-Resistant Coatings for Stone
Stone around pools gets wet every day. Smooth marble is one of the slickest surfaces when wet. Algae or a glossy sealer can make travertine slippery too.
For extra grip, we offer clear Cobble Grip by SurfaceLogix with a non-skid additive in the final coat. It works on travertine, marble, natural stone, and pavers. We prep with stone-safe cleaners only and always start with a test area. It is an add-on for an additional charge, listed separately on your estimate. Learn about slip-resistant coatings for pool decks.
Repairs Before Sealing
Sealing over loose, sunken, or cracked stone locks the problem in. Hollow-sounding coping, shifted pieces, and broken stones should be fixed first. We work with top-rated local paver installers to make sure repairs are done correctly before we seal. See travertine and marble repairs and leveling.
Natural Stone Sealing Near You
Looking for natural stone sealing near me? We are based in Brandon and handle outdoor stone sealing across Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, and Pinellas counties. Waterfront homes deal with salt air. Inland pool decks fight mildew in the shade and sprinkler rust from well water. Steve and Sam come out themselves to look at your stone, measure it, and give you a free written estimate.
Brandon & East Hillsborough
- Travertine and marble sealing in Brandon
- Travertine and marble sealing in Valrico
- Travertine and marble sealing in Riverhills
- Travertine and marble sealing in Bloomingdale
- Travertine and marble sealing in Seffner
- Travertine and marble sealing in Dover
- Travertine and marble sealing in Thonotosassa
- Travertine and marble sealing in Plant City
Riverview, FishHawk & South Shore
- Travertine and marble sealing in Riverview
- Travertine and marble sealing in FishHawk
- Travertine and marble sealing in Lithia
- Travertine and marble sealing in Hawkstone
- Travertine and marble sealing in Balm
- Travertine and marble sealing in Gibsonton
- Travertine and marble sealing in Apollo Beach
- Travertine and marble sealing in Ruskin
- Travertine and marble sealing in Southshore Bay
- Travertine and marble sealing in Sun City Center
- Travertine and marble sealing in Valencia Del Sol
- Travertine and marble sealing in Wimauma
Tampa & North Tampa
- Travertine and marble sealing in Tampa
- Travertine and marble sealing in South Tampa
- Travertine and marble sealing in Harbour Island
- Travertine and marble sealing in Carrollwood
- Travertine and marble sealing in New Tampa
- Travertine and marble sealing in Tampa Palms
- Travertine and marble sealing in Lutz
Pasco, Lakeland & Pinellas
- Travertine and marble sealing in Wesley Chapel
- Travertine and marble sealing in Land O' Lakes
- Travertine and marble sealing in Odessa
- Travertine and marble sealing in Lakeland
- Travertine and marble sealing in Pinellas County
Don't see your community? Call or text (813) 389-3683, or request a free stone sealing estimate online. Free written estimates are available 7 days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM. We are licensed and insured, with a Lifetime Guarantee on labor.
What Our Stone Customers Say
Our travertine was stained and dull. The crew stripped the old layers off and resealed it. They did a great job. It looks like new!
We’re very impressed. A definitely 5-Star Customer Service and professionalism. Our travertine pool deck looks amazing. I highly recommend Paver Sealing Florida...You won't be disappointed.
5/5 Stars – Exceptional Quality and True Professionals!
Sam and Steve did an incredible job sealing our new travertine pool deck and lanai. From start to finish, their level of service, expertise, and attention to detail were second to none.
What really set them apart:
- Next-Level Thoroughness & Modern Solutions: Sam took a sample of our actual travertine, had Steve work on it off-site, and brought it back to us so we could evaluate the non-skid finish in advance of any work being done. They even brought in newer, cutting-edge products to give us the best and most up-to-date options on the market.
- Miracle Stain Removal: We had a stubborn box stain that my wife and I spent hours trying to remove using a professional product, with zero luck. Sam and Steve worked their magic, and the spot is now completely invisible!
- Seamless Experience: They were quick with pricing, prompt with scheduling, meticulous during the application, and left the entire area spotless when they finished.
They came highly recommended to us by a trusted friend, the owner of local pool company we’ve known for 50 years, and their results completely speak for themselves. If you need travertine sealing (pavers too) or restoration, look no further than Sam and Steve we will definitely be repeat customers!
Natural Stone Sealing in Tampa Bay FAQs
What is the best penetrating sealer for natural stone?
For most Florida travertine pool decks and patios, we use Trident Break Wall. It is a water-based, low-VOC penetrating sealer that stays invisible and lets the stone breathe. Trident Sea Wall is a solvent-based option. We choose based on the stone and how much salt and water it sees, and we test a small area first.
Will a penetrating sealer change how my stone looks?
Not with an invisible penetrating sealer. Your travertine, marble, or limestone keeps its natural color and texture. If you would like richer color, we can discuss an enhancing option. We test a small area first so you can see the finish and choose before we seal the whole surface.
Why not use a wet look sealer on marble?
Film-forming wet look sealers are great on concrete pavers, but marble is soft, porous, and reacts to acids. Trident's own data sheet for Hurricane CAT 5 says it isn't recommended for marble or polished and honed stone. A penetrating sealer protects marble from inside the stone without a film that can peel or cloud.
How often does outdoor stone need to be resealed?
Most professionally sealed stone in Tampa Bay lasts about 2 to 5 years. Sun, salt water, traffic, and cleaning all affect it. Try the water test once a year. If water darkens the stone and soaks in within a minute or two, it is time to reseal. If it beads up, the sealer is still working.
Is travertine or marble safe around a salt water pool?
It can be, with care. Salt water soaks in and dries into crystals that wear the surface over time. A breathable penetrating sealer reduces how much salt gets in, and regular fresh-water rinses help a lot. Avoid vinegar, lemon, and acid-based removers, which can etch these calcium-based stones.
Do you seal natural stone near me?
We seal exterior travertine, marble, and limestone across Tampa Bay, from Brandon, Riverview, and FishHawk to Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Lakeland, and Pinellas County. Steve and Sam come out to see the stone, measure it, and give you a free written estimate. Call or text (813) 389-3683, 7 days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM.