Can Granite Be Repaired?
Quick Answer
Yes, granite countertops can be repaired in most cases. Chips are filled with color-matched epoxy. Cracks are injected with resin and stabilized. Stains are drawn out with poultices. Dull or etched areas are re-polished. Most repairs cost $100-$500, and many minor fixes can be done at home with a $15-$30 repair kit. Only severe structural cracks or large broken sections typically require professional replacement.
TL;DR
- Chips are the most common granite damage - repaired with color-matched epoxy in 30 minutes
- Cracks can be stabilized with resin injection; small cracks become nearly invisible
- Stains are removed with poultices (baking soda + water or commercial products)
- Dull spots from etching can be re-polished by a professional
- DIY repair kits cost $15-$30; professional repairs run $100-$500
- Structural cracks that span the full width of the counter usually require section replacement
- Sealing granite every 1-2 years prevents most stain damage
- Granite is one of the most repairable countertop materials available
Types of Granite Damage and How to Fix Them
Chips
Chips are the most common form of granite damage. They usually happen at edges, around sink cutouts, or where something heavy was dropped. The good news: chip repair is straightforward and effective.
DIY Chip Repair:
- Clean the chipped area with acetone or denatured alcohol
- Apply color-matched granite epoxy (available in repair kits)
- Slightly overfill the chip - the epoxy shrinks as it cures
- Let it cure for 24 hours
- Sand the excess flush with 220-grit, then 400-grit wet sandpaper
- Polish with a granite polishing compound
Professional Chip Repair: $100-$250 per chip. A stone restoration specialist will color-match the epoxy precisely, fill and level the repair, and polish it to blend with the surrounding surface. On lighter-colored granites, professional repairs are virtually invisible. On heavily patterned granites, even DIY repairs can disappear into the pattern.
| Chip Size | DIY Feasible? | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 1/4") | Yes | $15-$30 (repair kit) |
| Medium (1/4" to 1") | Yes, with care | $15-$30 DIY / $100-$200 pro |
| Large (over 1") | Professional recommended | $150-$300 pro |
| Edge chip with missing piece | Professional recommended | $200-$400 pro |
Cracks
Cracks in granite range from hairline surface cracks to structural breaks. The repair approach depends on severity.
Hairline Cracks (Surface Only): These are often natural fissures in the stone that have been there since the slab was formed. If the crack doesn't catch your fingernail when you run it across the surface, it's likely a natural fissure - not structural damage. These don't need repair but can be filled with clear epoxy for cosmetic improvement.
Minor Cracks (Less Than 6 Inches): Clean the crack, inject color-matched epoxy using a syringe applicator, let it cure, and sand smooth. Professional cost: $200-$400.
Structural Cracks (Spanning the Counter): If a crack runs from one edge to another, the structural integrity of the piece is compromised. A professional can sometimes stabilize it with rodding (inserting a metal rod and epoxy into a channel cut on the underside), but section replacement is often the better long-term solution.
Cracks at Cutouts: Cracks radiating from sink or cooktop cutouts are stress-related. Before repairing the crack, address the cause - typically inadequate support underneath. Otherwise the crack will return.
Stains
Granite is porous, and unsealed or poorly sealed granite absorbs liquids that cause staining. Common culprits: oil, wine, coffee, tomato sauce, and rust from metal cans.
Poultice Method (Most Effective):
- Identify the stain type - oil-based (cooking oil, grease) or water-based (coffee, wine, juice)
- Mix a poultice:
- Oil stains: Baking soda + water (paste consistency)
- Water-based stains: Baking soda + hydrogen peroxide
- Rust stains: Commercial rust remover designed for stone
- Apply the poultice 1/4" thick over the stain
- Cover with plastic wrap and tape the edges
- Let it sit 24-48 hours - the poultice draws the stain out of the stone
- Remove, rinse, and repeat if needed
Success rates by stain type:
| Stain Type | Removal Difficulty | Poultice Applications Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Water rings | Easy | 1 |
| Coffee/tea | Easy to moderate | 1-2 |
| Wine | Moderate | 2-3 |
| Cooking oil | Moderate | 2-3 |
| Turmeric/curry | Difficult | 3-5 |
| Rust | Difficult | Requires specialized product |
| Permanent marker/dye | Very difficult | May not fully remove |
Dull Spots and Etching
Acidic substances (lemon juice, vinegar, wine, tomato sauce) can etch the surface of granite, leaving dull marks on an otherwise polished surface. Granite is more resistant to etching than marble, but it's not immune - especially lighter-colored granites.
Minor dulling: A granite polishing powder or cream applied with a soft cloth and buffed can restore small dull spots. Cost: $10-$20 for the product.
Significant dulling: A professional stone restoration company can re-polish the entire countertop surface using diamond pads. This restores the original shine across the entire surface and typically costs $200-$600 depending on the area.
Scratches
Granite is very scratch-resistant (Mohs hardness 6-7), but it can be scratched by harder materials - other stones, ceramic, or abrasive cleaners.
Light scratches: Often buffed out with granite polishing compound. Deep scratches: Require professional diamond polishing to remove. Cost: $150-$400 depending on severity and area.
When to DIY vs. Call a Professional
| Damage | DIY? | Professional? |
|---|---|---|
| Small chip (under 1/4") | Yes | Optional |
| Medium chip (1/4"-1") | Possible | Recommended |
| Large chip or missing piece | No | Yes |
| Hairline crack | Optional (cosmetic only) | Optional |
| Crack under 6" | Possible with experience | Recommended |
| Structural crack | No | Yes |
| Surface stain | Yes (poultice) | If poultice fails |
| Deep stain | Start with DIY | If 3+ poultice attempts fail |
| Small dull spot | Yes (polishing compound) | Optional |
| Large dull area | No | Yes (re-polishing) |
How to Find a Granite Repair Professional
- Stone restoration companies - Search for "stone restoration" or "natural stone repair" in your area
- Your original fabricator - Many fabrication shops offer repair services or can recommend someone
- Marble and granite installers - Some installation crews do repair work on the side
- Expect to pay $100-$500 for most residential repairs, with a minimum service call fee of $75-$150
Preventing Damage in the First Place
Seal Your Granite
Sealing fills the microscopic pores in granite, making it resistant to stains and reducing moisture absorption. Most granites should be sealed every 1-2 years.
The water test: Drop a tablespoon of water on the surface. If it beads up, your seal is intact. If it soaks in within 5 minutes, it's time to reseal. Sealing takes 30 minutes and costs $15-$30 for a bottle of quality granite sealer - enough for multiple applications.
Daily Care Habits
- Wipe up spills promptly - especially acidic liquids
- Use trivets for hot cookware
- Use cutting boards (not for the granite's sake, but for your knives)
- Clean with pH-neutral stone cleaner, not dish soap, vinegar, or bleach
- Don't sit or stand on countertop overhangs
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to repair a chipped granite countertop?
DIY: $15-$30 for a repair kit. Professional: $100-$300 per chip depending on size and color-matching complexity. Most chip repairs take less than an hour.
Can you fix a crack in granite without replacing the whole slab?
Yes, for most cracks. Hairline and minor cracks are filled with epoxy. Even moderate cracks can be stabilized with professional techniques. Only full-width structural cracks where the stone has shifted or separated typically require replacement.
Will a repaired chip be visible?
On patterned or dark granites, repairs are often invisible. On solid-color or light granites, a skilled repair might be faintly visible up close but unnoticeable from normal viewing distance. Professional color-matching produces the best results.
How do I remove an oil stain from granite?
Apply a poultice of baking soda mixed with water to paste consistency. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit 24-48 hours. The baking soda absorbs the oil from the stone. Repeat if needed. Most oil stains come out within 1-3 applications.
Is it worth repairing old granite or should I replace it?
If the granite is structurally sound, repair is almost always more cost-effective. Full replacement of kitchen countertops costs $2,000-$8,000+, while most repairs run $100-$500. Even full re-polishing of the entire surface is typically under $600.
Can granite be re-polished to look new?
Yes. Professional stone restoration companies use progressive diamond polishing pads to restore the factory shine to dulled or etched granite. The process works on most granite types and makes a 20-year-old countertop look new again.
Does granite repair affect resale value?
A well-done repair does not negatively impact resale value - buyers care about how the countertop looks, not whether it's been repaired. Unrepaired damage (visible chips, stains, cracks) is much more likely to affect buyer perception.
Can I repair granite that has a burn mark?
Granite doesn't burn in the traditional sense, but extreme heat can discolor the minerals or crack the surface. Discoloration may be improved with poultice treatment. If the surface is cracked from heat, the crack can be filled with epoxy. The discoloration itself may be permanent.
How long does a granite chip repair last?
A properly done epoxy chip repair lasts indefinitely under normal use. The epoxy is nearly as hard as the surrounding granite and bonds permanently to the stone. The repair will outlast the kitchen in most cases.
Should I repair granite before selling my house?
Yes. Visible damage creates a negative impression. A $100-$300 professional repair can prevent a buyer from negotiating $1,000+ off the price for "damaged countertops."
Keep Your Granite Looking Its Best
Granite is one of the most forgiving and repairable countertop materials on the market. Most damage can be fixed affordably, and preventive care (sealing and basic habits) keeps most problems from happening in the first place.
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Sources
- Marble Institute of America - Natural Stone Restoration and Maintenance Standards
- Natural Stone Institute - Care and Cleaning Guide for Natural Stone Surfaces
- Stone Forensics - Granite Damage Assessment and Repair Techniques
- Consumer Reports - "Repairing vs. Replacing Damaged Countertops" (2024)
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Countertop Maintenance Guidelines
- This Old House - "How to Repair Granite Countertop Chips and Cracks" (2023)