Stone Walls & Fireplaces FAQs

Vertical stone, fireplace surrounds and feature walls.

Stone Wall Cleaning, Polishing & Sealing Services

Wall restoration in Chicago covers marble and limestone feature walls, stone fireplace surrounds, travertine and slate accent walls, kitchen backsplashes and full-height shower and lobby cladding. Wall cleaning in Chicago removes dust film, cooking grease, smoke residue, water streaks and old sealer without over-wetting the substrate. Where the stone has lost its finish, wall polishing in Chicago is done by hand with diamond pads to bring back a uniform sheen on vertical surfaces. Stone wall restoration also includes re-grouting open joints, filling chips and cracks, and applying a penetrating sealer that protects the stone while leaving its natural color and texture intact.

Dirty, Dull, or Stained Stone Walls? Here's What We Fix

Grease-darkened marble behind a range, water-streaked limestone in a foyer, soot-stained fireplace stone, etched marble in a powder room and backsplash restoration after years of splatter are the walls we see most. Vertical stone is harder to work than floors because there is no weight behind the machine, so results depend on technique and patience. We test a small area first, choose the least aggressive method that works, and protect adjoining cabinets, counters and floors. Wall polishing in Chicago and backsplash restoration are typically completed in a single visit, leaving the surface cleaned, refinished where needed and sealed.

Common questions about stone walls & fireplaces

Can you restore stone fireplace surrounds and feature walls?

Yes. We hone and polish vertical marble, limestone, travertine and granite, remove soot and smoke staining from fireplaces, fill chips and reseal. Vertical work uses hand tools and slurry control so nearby finishes stay clean.

How do you clean smoke and soot off a stone fireplace?

Soot is lifted with stone-safe alkaline poultices and agitation, never acid. Deep-set staining is honed out of the surface. Once clean, the stone is sealed so future soot stays on the surface and wipes off.

Can etched or water-stained shower walls be polished in place?

Yes. Wall tile is honed and re-polished exactly like a floor, just with handheld equipment. Etch marks and hard-water haze come out, grout is cleaned at the same time, and the wall is sealed before we leave.

Can a stone fireplace surround be cleaned of soot and smoke stains?

Yes. We use poultices and controlled cleaning to lift soot from marble, limestone, and granite surrounds, then hone and seal the stone. Heat-etched marble hearths can also be re-polished.

Do you restore vertical stone like shower walls and backsplashes?

Yes. Vertical surfaces are honed and polished with hand tools so we can control slurry and protect adjacent finishes. Water spots, etching, and grout staining on walls are all correctable in place.

Can you remove old sealer or paint splatter from a stone wall?

In most cases, yes. We test a hidden area, choose a stripper safe for the stone, and remove the residue without dulling the finish. The wall is then cleaned and re-sealed.

Stone Walls & Fireplaces 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.