General Stone Care FAQs
Sealers, honing, aftercare cleaning, maintenance intervals, dust control and how pricing works.
Our Stone Restoration & Polishing Services
Granite Heroes provides professional stone restoration in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, working on marble, granite, travertine, limestone, terrazzo, slate, quartzite and concrete. As stone restoration contractors in Chicago since 2014, we hone away etching and scratches, re-polish dull floors and countertops, fill chips and cracks with color-matched resin, deep-clean and re-seal grout, and finish every natural stone surface with a penetrating sealer. Our stone cleaning contractors in Chicago handle showers, vanities, fireplaces, lobbies and exterior stone too. Every project is priced by a person after reviewing your photos — never by a calculator — so the scope matches what your stone actually needs.
Why Choose Granite Heroes for Stone Restoration
Homeowners, designers and property managers choose Granite Heroes because the owners are on every job. Our technicians bring 20+ years of combined experience to natural stone restoration, and we have completed 5,000+ projects across Chicagoland. We restore rather than replace, which protects the original stone and costs a fraction of demolition. Our diamond honing and polishing systems are wet, dust-controlled and safe for occupied homes and open businesses. You get a free photo assessment, a clear written scope, and the Hero Promise on the finished work. Read our Google reviews, browse before-and-after results, and text us a photo to get started.
Common questions about general stone care
What stone restoration services do you offer in Chicago?
We offer marble, granite, travertine, limestone, terrazzo, slate and quartzite restoration, concrete polishing, grout cleaning and color sealing, chip and crack repair, shower and countertop refinishing, stone sealing and re-caulking. Professional stone restoration in Chicago starts with a photo — text one and we will confirm what your surface needs.
Do you work on both residential and commercial stone?
Yes. We restore natural stone in single-family homes, condominiums and brownstones, and we run phased programs for hotels, offices, lobbies, medical facilities and retail spaces across Chicago. Commercial work is scheduled around occupancy, with contained work zones and a documented scope so facility teams can plan and report.
What kind of sealer do we use?
We use a variety of different sealers and floor finishes. Depending on the species of natural stone and the desired finish, the choice of sealer will vary. All of our natural stone & concrete sealers have little to no VOC's and are compliant with Chicagoland and the state of Illinois guidelines.
What is the honing process?
Honing is the process of smoothing and flattening a consistent surface on natural stone or concrete using abrasives through a grit scale. For stones with a natural shine such as granite or marble, the polish is created by using various grits often ending on a 3000 grit high polish finish.
What do I clean with after your service?
We recommend a cleaning product which leaves no residue. Microfiber towels and a neutral cleaner are best on polished natural stones. Never use bleach or acidic cleaners on polished natural stones — they will etch or create spots.
How often should I have these services done?
Marble showers should be cleaned and sealed yearly. Stone flooring should be cleaned and sealed every 1-2 years. Marble vanities should be polished and sealed 1-2 times a year depending on the species of marble. Granite countertops need maintenance every 2 years.
Is there dust during the polishing process?
Most jobs are dust free. We utilize water-based sanding and polishing abrasives most of the time. Projects requiring crack filling and lippage removal will have some dry sanding; we prep the work area and use dust suppression equipment.
How does pricing work?
Flooring is priced per square foot; full restoration projects with crack repair, lippage removal or heavy stripping are priced by a daily rate. Item pricing is an exact price per countertop, vanity or shower. Every estimate is reviewed and priced by our team.
Do you charge for estimates?
No. Text or upload photos of the surface and our team reviews them and replies with a written estimate. Larger floors and commercial spaces may get a free in-person walk-through so we can measure and test the stone before pricing.
How far in advance should I book?
Most residential projects are scheduled within one to two weeks of an approved estimate. Spring and pre-holiday months fill fastest, so send photos early if you have a hard deadline like a listing, a move-in, or a party.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Granite Heroes, Inc. is fully licensed and insured, and every technician works under our Hero Promise: if a result does not match what we quoted, we come back and make it right.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Chicago, the North Shore, and the western and northwest suburbs, including Highland Park, Winnetka, Evanston, Hinsdale, Naperville, Lake Forest, and Northwest Indiana. Check the Service Areas page for your town.
General Stone Care service page · All FAQ topics
Granite Heroes — owner-operated natural stone restoration in Chicago and Chicagoland. Serving Chicagoland since 2014, backed by 20+ years of combined technician experience. Monday-Saturday, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM CT. Call (312) 800-1659.