Your marble countertop doesn't look quite right. The terrazzo floor in your building's lobby has lost its luster. Your granite has dark spots that won't come out. You've tried cleaning it yourself—maybe you've even bought some "restoration" products from the hardware store—but the problems persist.
As a stone restoration specialist serving Kansas City for over 30 years, I see this scenario constantly. Property owners and homeowners often wait too long before calling a professional, sometimes causing more damage with incorrect DIY attempts. This guide will help you recognize the warning signs that it's time to call in the experts.
Quick Self-Assessment: Does Your Stone Need Restoration?
Check all that apply to your stone surfaces:
- ☐ The surface has lost its shine and looks dull or cloudy
- ☐ You can see scratches, etching, or water rings
- ☐ There are stains that won't come out with regular cleaning
- ☐ The surface feels rough or gritty instead of smooth
- ☐ There are cracks, chips, or missing pieces
- ☐ The grout (for tile) is crumbling or discolored
- ☐ The stone looks uneven or has lippage between tiles
- ☐ Regular cleaning doesn't improve the appearance
If you checked 2 or more items, professional restoration is likely needed.
Sign #1: The Surface Has Lost Its Shine
What You're Seeing
Your once-glossy marble floor, countertop, or terrazzo has become dull, hazy, or cloudy. It might look dirty even right after cleaning. The surface no longer reflects light the way it used to, and there's a general lack of luster.
What's Happening
Stone surfaces lose their shine through a process called "traffic wear." Microscopic scratches accumulate from foot traffic, grit, and debris. Over time, these tiny scratches diffuse light instead of reflecting it, creating a dull appearance.
For marble specifically, etching from acidic substances (wine, citrus, cleaning products) creates additional dull spots where the acid has chemically reacted with the calcium carbonate in the stone.
Why DIY Won't Work
No amount of cleaning will restore shine lost to traffic wear or etching. "Restoration" products sold in stores are typically just cleaners or waxes that provide temporary shine but don't address the underlying surface damage. Waxes can actually make the problem worse by building up and attracting dirt.
Professional Solution:
Diamond polishing removes the damaged surface layer and creates a fresh, highly-reflective finish. We use progressively finer diamond abrasives to grind away scratches and etching, then polish to a mirror-like shine. Results typically last 3-10 years depending on traffic.
Sign #2: Visible Scratches and Etch Marks
What You're Seeing
Deep scratches that catch your fingernail. Water rings or glass marks on marble (these are etch marks). Surface damage that's clearly visible, especially in certain lighting angles.
Common Causes
- Scratches: Dragging furniture, grit and dirt acting like sandpaper, improper cleaning tools
- Etch marks on marble: Acidic substances (wine, coffee, citrus, vinegar-based cleaners, bathroom cleaners)
- Terrazzo scratches: Heavy commercial traffic, metal carts, maintenance equipment
- Granite scratches: Rare but can occur from diamonds or other hard materials
The DIY Trap
Internet advice often suggests using baking soda paste, automotive rubbing compound, or even toothpaste to "buff out" scratches. While these might reduce the appearance of very minor surface scratches, they won't fix deeper damage and can create uneven finishes or more dullness.
Professional Solution:
Honing removes scratches and etch marks by grinding down the surface to below the damage, then progressively refining the finish. For deep scratches, we may need to grind with coarse diamonds first, then work through finer grits until we achieve your desired finish (honed or polished). Etch mark removal typically takes $150-$300 per area.
Sign #3: Stains That Won't Budge
What You're Seeing
Dark spots or discoloration that persists despite repeated cleaning attempts. Common stain types include:
- Organic stains: Coffee, tea, wine, food (typically brown/tan)
- Oil-based stains: Cooking oil, grease, cosmetics (typically darker in center)
- Rust stains: From metal objects, planters, water with high iron content (orange/brown)
- Water stains: Hard water deposits creating cloudy areas or rings
- Biological growth: Mold or mildew (typically black, green, or pink)
Why Stains Penetrate
Natural stone is porous—it has microscopic spaces that can absorb liquids. If a spill isn't wiped up immediately, it can penetrate deep into the stone. Once a stain has set, surface cleaning won't reach it.
Marble and limestone are especially prone to staining due to higher porosity. Granite is less porous but can still stain, especially lighter colors. Terrazzo (especially epoxy-based) is the most stain-resistant.
DIY Dangers
Using harsh chemicals, bleach, or acidic cleaners in an attempt to remove stains often makes the problem worse by etching the surface or driving the stain deeper. Abrasive scrubbing can damage the polish.
Professional Solution:
Poulticing is the professional method for deep stain removal. We apply a paste that draws the stain out of the stone over 24-48 hours. Different stain types require different poultice formulations—this is where professional knowledge matters. After stain removal, we may hone or polish to restore uniform appearance. Typical cost: $200-$500 depending on severity and area.
Sign #4: Cracks, Chips, or Structural Damage
What You're Seeing
- Cracks: Hairline to wide fissures in the stone surface
- Chips: Missing pieces, especially on edges and corners
- Spalling: Flaking or delamination where layers of stone separate
- Holes: In terrazzo where aggregate has come loose
- Lippage: Uneven height between adjacent tiles
What Causes Structural Damage
Cracks can result from structural settlement, impact, thermal stress, or improper installation (inadequate support). In terrazzo, cracks often follow the control joints or areas of substrate movement.
Chips typically occur from impact—dropped objects, furniture collisions, or edge trauma during moving/construction.
Spalling indicates moisture issues, freeze-thaw damage, or poor-quality stone.
Why This Requires Professional Help
Structural repairs require proper materials, techniques, and often substrate assessment. Using the wrong epoxy, filler, or repair method can result in repairs that fail or look obvious. Color matching is particularly challenging—professionals use specialized tinted epoxies and techniques to make repairs nearly invisible.
Professional Solution:
Crack repair involves cleaning and filling with color-matched epoxy, then grinding and polishing to match the surrounding surface. Chip repair may involve rebuilding the edge with tinted epoxy and shaping to match. For significant structural issues, we assess substrate conditions and may coordinate with general contractors. Costs range from $75-$200 per chip to $150-$400+ per crack depending on severity.
Sign #5: You've Already Tried DIY and It Didn't Work (or Made It Worse)
What You're Seeing
After attempting to fix the problem yourself using store-bought products, internet advice, or rented equipment:
- The problem persists or returned quickly
- The surface looks worse than before
- There are now uneven areas, streaks, or new damage
- Build-up from wax or coating products
- Chemical damage from using the wrong cleaners
Common DIY Mistakes I See in Kansas City
- Using vinegar or lemon juice on marble - These acids etch marble, creating permanent dull spots. Yet this advice appears in countless "cleaning tips" articles.
- Applying topical sealers/coatings - Products that create a film on top of stone often peel, yellow, or create a plastic-looking finish. Professional sealing uses impregnating sealers that penetrate the stone.
- Using floor buffers meant for vinyl - Wrong equipment with wrong pads can burn the stone or create swirl marks.
- Attempting to grind/polish without proper equipment - Rented polishers lack the power and proper diamond tooling for professional results. Usually creates an uneven finish.
- Using grout on terrazzo cracks - Grout isn't strong enough or color-matched. Epoxy is required.
The Good News
Most DIY mistakes can be reversed. We frequently restore stone that has been damaged by improper DIY attempts. However, fixing DIY damage sometimes costs more than the original restoration would have, so it's usually better to call professionals first.
Professional Solution:
We assess the current condition, remove any coatings or buildup from DIY products, address the underlying issues, and restore the stone to proper condition. Sometimes this involves more extensive work than would have been needed originally, but the result is a properly restored surface.
When to Call a Professional (Don't Wait!)
Many Kansas City property owners wait years before addressing stone damage, thinking it's "not that bad yet." Here's why acting sooner saves money:
- Damage accelerates: Small scratches collect dirt and accelerate wear. Minor stains become permanent. Small cracks expand.
- Intervention is cheaper when damage is limited: Light polishing costs $3-$6/sq ft. Full restoration with repairs costs $8-$15/sq ft.
- Property value impact: Damaged stone surfaces reduce property appeal and value.
- Safety concerns: Cracked or uneven stone can create trip hazards.
What to Expect from Professional Stone Restoration
The Process
- Assessment: We evaluate the stone type, condition, and specific issues. We'll discuss your goals and provide options.
- Quote: Detailed pricing based on square footage, damage severity, and services needed. Most residential jobs: $500-$3,000. Commercial: varies widely.
- Preparation: Move furniture, protect adjacent surfaces, set up equipment.
- Restoration: May involve grinding, honing, polishing, stain removal, crack repair, sealing—depending on needs.
- Final inspection: Walk-through to ensure you're satisfied with results.
- Maintenance guidance: We provide specific care instructions for your stone type.
Timeline
- Residential countertops/small areas: Often completed in 1 day
- Residential floors: Typically 1-3 days depending on square footage
- Commercial projects: 3 days to 2+ weeks for large or complex jobs
- After restoration: Surface is immediately usable (except for sealing cure time: 24-48 hours)
Kansas City Stone Restoration Costs
Basic polishing: $3-$6 per square foot
Full restoration (honing + polishing): $6-$10 per square foot
Heavy restoration (repairs + grinding + polishing): $10-$15+ per square foot
Terrazzo restoration: $5-$12 per square foot
Individual repairs: Chips $75-$200, Cracks $150-$400, Stain removal $200-$500
For detailed cost information, see our complete marble restoration cost guide.
The Bottom Line: Trust Your Instincts
If you're noticing problems with your stone surfaces—dullness, scratches, stains, cracks—your instinct to address them is correct. While the internet is full of DIY advice, professional stone restoration involves specialized knowledge, equipment, and materials that aren't available to homeowners.
The investment in professional restoration pays off in restored beauty, extended lifespan, protected property value, and peace of mind knowing the work was done right.
Recognized Any of These Signs in Your Kansas City Property?
Get a free, no-obligation assessment of your stone surfaces. We'll explain exactly what's needed, provide a detailed quote, and answer all your questions. 30+ years serving Kansas City means we've seen it all—and we can fix it all.