Original marble in an older home
Prewar marble often has a deep patina. We remove the damage and decide with you how much character to keep.
Serving Evanston & nearby Skokie, Glenview
Stone Countertop Restoration in Evanston, IL
Dull granite, etched marble and stained stone counters honed, polished and resealed in Evanston kitchens.
- Technicians covering Evanston ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208
- Diagnosis first, then a written price for the repair
- Honest advice when replacing makes more sense
Stone countertop problems we restore in Evanston
Your granite or marble is probably not ruined, just worn. Our Evanston techs work with diamond pads and polishing compounds right on the installed counters, then apply a penetrating sealer matched to the stone.
Scratches across the surface
Pot and utensil scratches in soft stone are removed by working through diamond grits until the surface is uniform.
Seams that look dirty or uneven
Seam filler in stone tops can darken or shrink. As part of a restoration we can grind out and refill seams to match.
Limestone or travertine that has gone dull
Limestone and travertine are calcium-based like marble, so they etch and dull the same way. Honing and polishing restore them.
Dark oil stain by the range
Grease spots near the cooktop sit inside the stone, so scrubbing can't reach them. We pack the area with a poultice that draws the oil up.
Water rings and dark spots by the faucet
A damp-looking ring at the sink that never fully dries means the stone is absorbing water. We clean, dry and reseal the area.
Hard water spots and mineral film
Hard tap water leaves white mineral deposits around faucets. We remove them with stone-safe products, since acid descalers etch marble.
Water no longer beads up
Spills that soak in quickly mean it's time to reseal. A deep clean first lets the sealer get into the stone.
What we check and fix
- ProtectionCabinets, backsplash and floor are covered against slurry and water.
- Deep cleaningGrease, soap film and old sealer residue are removed with stone-safe cleaners.
- Stain treatmentOil and water stains get a poultice that draws them out of the stone.
- Seam and chip touch-upsDark seams are refilled and small chips filled before polishing.
- PolishingPolishing pads or compounds bring the stone to the sheen you choose, from satin to high gloss.
- SealingA penetrating sealer suited to the stone is applied and buffed off.
- Care adviceYou get a list of safe cleaners and what to avoid on your stone.
Common fixes and parts
Penetrating sealersImpregnating sealers sit inside the stone to slow absorption; they don't stop etching.
Limestone and travertineSoft calcium stones that etch like marble and need regular care.
MarbleThe stone we restore most often, because acids leave marks on it.
QuartziteResists etching and scratching but can absorb stains.
SoapstoneSoft but stain-resistant; we sand and oil it rather than polish it.
Stone Countertop Restoration before and after — Evanston homes
Problem
Fixed
DetailEvanston kitchen, prewar foursquare: stone countertop restoration
The site: a prewar foursquare in Evanston. Before: white laminate with a wood edge. The main complaint was dull stone with rings by the faucet. The result: the same stone polished to an even sheen, the etch marks and water rings gone and fresh sealer making water bead. The job covered deep cleaning, stain treatment, plus polishing.
Before
AfterA Skokie 1980s two-story: before and after
This one is a 1980s two-story in Skokie. What we started with: white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam. The main complaint was dull stone with rings by the faucet. Finished kitchen: the same stone polished to an even sheen, the etch marks and water rings gone and fresh sealer making water bead. On site this meant protection, polishing, plus sealing.
Stone Countertop Restoration in Skokie →
Before
AfterA Glenview 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
A 1990s two-story colonial near The Grove, a typical kitchen for Glenview. The kitchen as it was: white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines. The main complaint was dull stone with rings by the faucet. The result: the same stone polished to an even sheen, the etch marks and water rings gone and fresh sealer making water bead. On site this meant protection, deep cleaning, plus care advice.
Stone Countertop Restoration in Glenview →
Before
AfterEvanston kitchen, prewar brick bungalow: countertop fabrication & installation
Finished: black honed granite countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Evanston →
Before
AfterEvanston kitchen, 1920s bungalow: countertop refinishing & resurfacing
What changed: the same counters resurfaced with a smooth stone-look coating, edges and sink area included.
Countertop Refinishing & Resurfacing in Evanston →How the repair goes
- Show us the stonePictures of the dull areas, rings or stains help us identify etch vs. stain.
- Site testWe check the stone type, the sealer and the damage, then give you a written estimate.
- Restoration dayWe protect the area and work through the stone in stages.
- Cure and careWe tell you when the sealer is ready for use and how to keep the shine.
Stone Countertop Restoration questions from Evanston homeowners
Can old granite countertops be refinished?
Granite responds very well to refinishing; chips and seams can be addressed in the same visit.
How often should stone counters be sealed?
Each stone is different. We test yours and tell you what to watch for, rather than giving a one-size schedule.
Why does my stone counter have white spots near the faucet?
Usually mineral deposits from hard water. Stone-safe cleaners remove them; acidic descalers can etch marble.
What cleaners are safe for granite and marble?
Use a neutral cleaner made for stone. Acidic and harsh products dull the finish and wear down the sealer.
Can etching on marble be removed?
Yes. How deep the etch goes decides how much honing it needs.
Is Evanston water hard, and does it matter for stone restoration?
Evanston's water source: Lake Michigan (surface water), treated at the City of Evanston water plant; reported hardness is 134 mg/L as CaCO3 (about 7.8 grains per gallon), 2025 report. Mineral rings on stone come off with the right cleaner, not acid.
Do Evanston condo associations need to approve stone restoration?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Do I need a permit for stone restoration in Evanston?
It depends on the scope. Evanston's rule in short: Residential permit applications go through the Citizen Portal; City worksheets signed by the contractors are required for any electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services).
Do you work in my part of Evanston?
Yes. Our crews work across Evanston — ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208 — and nearby Skokie, Glenview, Park Ridge.
Working in Evanston
- Most Evanston homes are prewar. We work around plaster walls, radiators and out-of-square rooms every week.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
ZIP 60201ZIP 60202ZIP 60208
Stone Countertop Restoration nearby
Other kitchen services in Evanston
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.
Countertop RepairChips, cracks, seams and burns fixed without replacing the top.
Countertop Refinishing & ResurfacingA new coated finish over sound laminate, cultured marble or tile.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.