Granite worktops are renowned for their beauty and durability, making them a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms. However, over time, even the sturdiest granite surfaces can suffer from chips, cracks, and stains. Fortunately, repairing granite worktops can save you the cost of replacement and restore their original glory.
Our experts here at Surrey Marble & Granite are here to talk you through a step-by-step process on how to repair your granite worktops, from minor chips to stubborn stains. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or looking to save money, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to tackle common granite worktop issues.
Contents:
- Assessing the Damage to your Granite Worktop
- How to Repair your Granite Countertop
- How to Remove Stains from Granite Worktops
- How to Repair Chips on a Granite Worktop
- How to Fix Cracks on a Granite Worktop
Assessing the Damage to your Granite Worktop
Assessing the damage to your granite countertop is the crucial first step in the repair process. Start by carefully examining the surface to identify the type and extent of the damage. Look for chips, cracks, stains, or any other issues that need attention.
Determine the severity of the damage—is it superficial or structural? This assessment will help you determine the appropriate repair method and the level of expertise required.
Gather the necessary tools and materials based on the damage assessment to ensure you’re fully prepared to tackle the repair and restore your granite worktop to its former splendour.
Repairing your Granite Countertop
1. Thoroughly Clean Your Worktop
It may just be dirt that’s making the stone look dull, particularly if you’ve recently bought a property with existing granite features that may not have been well cared for. Start by cleaning the stone thoroughly with a gentle cleaner such as dish soap.
Don’t use any scourers, steel wool or abrasive cleaners – these will damage the finish of the stone making it impossible to get a high gloss polish. This is also a good time to check for damage, including chips, scratches or dull patches that might require more serious granite repair work.
Discover more tips on how to clean your granite worktop here.
2. Invest in Specialist Granite Polish
Repair the appearance of your granite with a specialist stone cleaner to improve the appearance of dull patches. Choose one designed for granite and follow the instructions precisely. This should restore the shine but obviously won’t hide major damage. If your stone has suffered major damage, you should look into granite repair from a professional.
At Surrey Marble and Granite, we supply aftercare guides to help our customers maintain their granite worktops so they look as good as new.
3. Consult a Granite Worktop Repair Professional
If ordinary cleaning isn’t enough and major granite repair is needed, it’s best to consult a professional before taking further action yourself. If the granite is chipped, cracked, or stained or the finish has large dull patches, you may need professional quality tools to create a seamless repair.
Even if you decide to go ahead and attempt the repairs yourself, it’s worth getting a few quotes and having a chat with a pro.
4. Fill Cracks and Chips
Can you repair chips in granite worktops? Cracks and chips in granite are rare, but if they occur they should be filled with matching stone paste. Large areas of damage will need careful repair work in order to hide the repair.
It’s also important to check that the slab or tile is properly supported if a crack has appeared – you don’t want to repair a crack in a granite worktop only to find a new one that appears a year or two later!
5. Replace one Slab or Section
At Surrey Marble and Granite, we can source similar stones where one part of the granite worktop, floor or staircase needs to be replaced but the rest is fine. Granite is a natural stone which means that no two slabs, even two mined from the same quarry on the same day, will be identical, so some compromise may be needed.
How to Remove Stains from Granite Worktops
Non-transparent liquids (red wine, for example) will stain granite worktops. If a spill occurs then soak the stain in water to help wash the stain out of the stone. Soak your sponge in warm water, and repeatedly wipe the stained area of the granite counter.
Steel wool or abrasive tools are never used for stains. If the stain is not removed, place a soaked sponge on the stain and leave it overnight.
Prepare a mix of hydrogen peroxide (75%) and water (25%) and apply it to a hidden area of the worktop to check if discolouration occurs. If not, then apply to the stained area and wait for the results.
Please remember that the use of the hydrogen peroxide mix will only be effective on light-coloured granite worktops. If yours is dark then professional repair services are necessary.
How to Repair Chips on a Granite Worktop
Polish the minor scratches on the granite worktop with a fine 0000 steel wool. Coarser grades of steel wool will cause additional scratches. Test on a commonly hidden area before attempting to repair visible scratches or marks.
To repair effectively, all broken chips must be saved, if you throw them out then this repair task is not possible. If multiple pieces are involved it may be practical to use masking tape to hold them in place while the epoxy dries.
Again, leave the repair to dry overnight and then remove excess adhesive with the fine steel wool mentioned earlier. It is considered best practice to seal the granite worktop at this stage, in order to protect against further damage.
How to Fix Cracks on a Granite Worktop
Fixing cracks and structural damage in your granite worktop requires a systematic approach to ensure a successful repair. Start by cleaning and preparing the damaged area, removing any debris or loose particles.
Next, apply an epoxy or adhesive specifically designed for granite repairs, injecting it into the crack or damaged section. For added strength, consider reinforcing the area with mesh or rods. Once the epoxy has cured, carefully smooth the surface using fine-grit sandpaper or a polishing pad.
Finally, polish the repaired area to blend it seamlessly with the rest of the worktop. This meticulous process will help restore the structural integrity of your granite worktop and ensure a visually appealing outcome.
Repairing and restoring your granite worktops is a cost-effective way to enhance their beauty and functionality. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can confidently address issues such as chips, cracks, and stains.
Implementing preventive maintenance practices, such as regular cleaning, sealing, and proper care, will help preserve the durability and pristine condition of your repaired granite worktops.
Local Granite Installation Experts
At Surrey Marble & Granite we work in a range of areas across the South East of England including Surrey, London and Hampshire. Our local installation team are expert in handling your projects and producing excellent results.
With over 23 years of trading and 30 years of experience, we offer fair pricing as we get our granite direct from the quarry, we have an excellent design team, top of range equipment for fabricating your project, plus we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and high-quality work.
Please feel free to get in touch, or book an appointment to visit our showroom.
