General Stone Care FAQs
Sealers, honing, aftercare cleaning, maintenance intervals, dust control and how pricing works.
Our Stone Restoration & Polishing Services
Chicago stone suffers from winter salt, hard water, and decades of foot traffic across marble lobbies and travertine baths. Our stone restoration for Chicago properties begins with an honest assessment of the actual damage, followed by the right fix for that specific stone. We work on every type of natural stone: marble, granite, terrazzo, travertine, limestone, and slate. Concrete polishing, power washing, and grout cleaning round out the list. Etching, scratches, dullness, cracked grout lines: we've seen it all across Chicagoland kitchens, bathrooms, lobbies, and patios. No two jobs get the same treatment because no two stone surfaces wear the same way. Send a photo so we can review the condition and recommend next steps.
Why Choose Granite Heroes for Stone Restoration
Plenty of companies polish stone. Fewer are still run by the same two people who started them. We founded and started in 2013, and the team still takes a hands-on approach to each project today. That accountability is rare among stone restoration contractors in Chicago, and it shows in the finish. We provide a clear scope and an owner-reviewed quote before work begins, backed by the Hero Promise. Our company experience is calculated from 2013, so you get professional stone restoration in Chicago from a local team that treats your floors like they matter, not just another job.
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 Chicagoland. Submit your project address with your online quote and our team will confirm availability.
General Stone Care service page · All FAQ topics
Granite Heroes — owner-operated natural stone restoration in Chicagoland. Serving Chicagoland since 2013, with 13 years of experience. Monday-Saturday, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM CT. Call (312) 800-1659.