If you decided to use travertine pavers on your driveway, pool deck or walkway, you may be wondering if there's anything you need to do maintenance-wise after the installation is complete. Natural stone pavers retain their beauty without much maintenance other than regular sweeping and the occasional light power wash to remove dirt, but some homeowners choose to take the extra step of sealing their pavers. There are many benefits and a few drawbacks to doing so – here's what you need to know.

Pros
One of the main reasons why people choose to seal their pavers is to bring out the natural colors of the stone and make each paver look more vibrant. Sealer gives the stone a gorgeous finish and really highlights the beauty of your investment.

Sealing the pavers is also a good way to protect the stone against stains and mildew. Sealer that penetrates deep into the travertine's pores will retain the stone's natural texture while ensuring that stains don't soak in and mildew won't grow. If your travertine is on a pool deck where you frequently entertain guests, sealer will ensure that there's minimal damage caused by accidental spills from things like wine and soda.

Finally, sealing also helps protect against erosion – particularly in high-traffic areas. Travertine is very durable, but wear and tear can occur if you're using the paved area every day and there's lots of traffic.

Cons
One of the cons of sealing your pavers is that they will lose some of their water absorbency. This could mean that your pool pavers are a bit more slippery than unsealed travertine. However, if you choose a sealer that sinks in rather than sitting on the surface, this won't be much of a problem.

The only other con is that you'll need to keep up with sealing your travertine on a regular basis. Depending on the sealer you choose and where you live, you may have to seal your pavers every year or every other year. Foot traffic, the sun and the elements can wear away at the sealer, compromising the look of the finish and reducing the effectiveness of the sealer's protection. However, sealing the pavers yourself isn't a difficult DIY project. With the right tools and a little research, you should be able to seal the stone on a weekend afternoon.