Repair and Restoration of Tile and Natural Stone Surfaces

When beauty can be restored rather than replaced

Even the highest-quality tile and natural stone may over time need repair or restoration. Cracks, chips, stains, a dulled surface, destroyed grout: none of this is a reason to replace the whole surface. Professional restoration can bring back the original beauty of the materials and extend their service life by decades. The cost of restoration is usually considerably lower than full replacement, and the result is just as impressive.

M-STONE provides a full range of repair and restoration services for tile and natural stone surfaces. We restore floors, walls, countertops, stairs and other surfaces, returning their original shine and functionality.

Typical surface problems and their causes

Problems with porcelain stoneware and tile

Tile cracks

Reasons:

• A blow from a heavy object
• Voids under the tile (incomplete coverage with adhesive)
• Deformation of the base (settlement of the house, foundation movement)
• Temperature changes (incorrect laying over underfloor heating)
• Point load (heavy furniture without pads)

Visual signs:

• A visible crack on the surface
• A ‘spider web’ of fine cracks
• A crack through several tiles (a problem with the base)

Chips in the tile

Reasons:

• Falling heavy or sharp objects
• Knocks when moving furniture
• A factory defect
• Incorrect cutting during laying

Where they occur:

• The edges of the tile (most often)
• Corners
• The surface (less often)

Tile coming loose

Reasons:

• Poor-quality adhesive
• Violation of the laying technology
• No priming
• Laying on an unprepared base
• Substrate moisture
• No expansion joints

Signs:

• A “drum” sound when tapped
• Lifting of the tile
• Cracks around the perimeter of the tile

Destroyed grout

Reasons:

• Poor-quality grout
• Shrinkage of the grout
• Washing out by water
• Mechanical damage
• Mould and fungus
• Chemical action

Consequences:

• An aesthetic flaw
• Water getting under the tile
• Accumulation of dirt
• A health hazard (mould)

Stains and contamination

Reasons:

• Spilled liquids
• Rust from metal objects
• Cement bloom
• Construction dirt
• Incorrect care

Problems with natural stone

Scratches and scuffs

Reasons:

• Mechanical wear
• Sand and abrasive particles
• Moving furniture
• Heels and shoes

The most vulnerable:

• Polished marble
• Polished travertine
• Onyx

Etching (matt marks from acids)

Typical of: marble, travertine, limestone (carbonate stones)

Reasons:

• Contact with acids (lemon, vinegar, wine, tomatoes)
• Acidic cleaning products
• Acid rain (for exterior surfaces)

Appearance:

• Matt marks on the polish
• A rough surface
• ‘Burnt-out’ areas

Stains and discolouration

Types of stains:

• Organic (coffee, tea, wine, food)
• Oily (oil, grease, cosmetics)
• Inorganic (rust, copper)
• Biological (mould, algae)

Reasons:

• The porosity of the stone
• No water-repellent treatment
• Late removal of dirt
• Incorrect care

Cracks and chips

Reasons:

• Impacts
• Natural defects of the stone
• Thermal shock
• Deformation of the base
• Incorrect laying

Destruction of joints and connections

Reasons:

• Movement of the stone
• Poor-quality grout
• Moisture
• Temperature swings

Efflorescence (white bloom)

Typical of: exterior surfaces, wet zones

Reasons:

• Salts coming out of the concrete or stone
• Excess moisture
• Water penetrating from behind

Methods of restoring porcelain stoneware and tile

Replacing damaged tiles

When it is used

• Cracks running through the whole tile
• Significant chips
• Complete delamination

Technology

Step 1: removing the damaged tile

• Removing the grout around the perimeter (an oscillating tool or a knife)
• Drilling holes in the centre of the tile
• Carefully knocking out fragments from the centre to the edges
• Cleaning the old adhesive off the base

Step 2: preparation

• Checking the base (whether there are cracks)
• Repairing the base (if necessary)
• Priming
• Selecting a replacement tile

Step 3: laying the new tile

• Applying adhesive
• Setting the tile flush with its neighbours
• Levelling
• Waiting for the adhesive to harden

Step 4: grouting

• Grouting the joints
• Cleaning

Important

• Keep a spare of tile (preferably from the same batch)
• Choose adhesive and grout similar to the originals
• Keep to the joint width

Repairing chips and cracks without replacement

When it is used

• Small chips on the edges
• Surface cracks
• When there is no spare tile

Materials

• Epoxy filler for tile
• Two-component repair compounds
• Coloured waxes
• Special repair kits

Technology

For chips:

• Cleaning and degreasing the chip
• Matching the colour of the repair mix (mixing pigments)
• Applying the mix with a slight excess
• Levelling
• Sanding after it hardens
• Polishing (if needed)

For cracks:

• Cleaning the crack
• Filling with an epoxy compound
• Removing the excess
• Polishing

Limitations

• Not suitable for major damage
• The repair may be noticeable
• A temporary solution for high-traffic zones

Re-grouting joints

When it is used

• Destruction of the grout
• Changing the colour of the joints
• Mould in the joints
• Dirty grout

Technology

Step 1: removing the old grout

• Mechanical removal (a special knife, an oscillating tool)
• Removal depth: at least 2/3 of the tile thickness
• Cleaning residues out of the joints
• A vacuum cleaner to remove dust

Step 2: preparation

• Rinsing the joints
• Drying
• If necessary, treating with an antifungal product

Step 3: new grout

• Applying the grout with a rubber float
• Filling the joints thoroughly
• Removing the excess
• Shaping the joint
• Cleaning the tile

An M-STONE recommendation: when re-grouting we recommend switching to epoxy grout, which will not darken, will not go mouldy and will last far longer.

Deep cleaning of tile

When it is used

• Stubborn dirt
• Construction dirt after renovation
• Cement bloom
• Rust

Products and methods

Cement bloom:

• Acidic cleaners (Mapei Keranet, Litokol Litonet)
• Apply to a dry surface
• Leave for the time given in the instructions
• Rinse off thoroughly with water
• Do NOT use on natural stone!

Grease contamination:

• Alkaline cleaners
• Degreasers
• Steam cleaning

Rust:

• Special rust removers
• Careful: they can damage some surfaces

Hardened grout on the tile:

• Mechanical removal (a plastic scraper)
• Chemical solvents (for epoxy)
• Do not use metal tools

Methods of restoring natural stone

Grinding and polishing

When it is used

• Scratches and scuffs
• Etching (acid stains)
• Loss of shine
• Irregularities at slab junctions

Types of grinding

Local grinding

• Treating individual damaged areas
• By hand or with small equipment
• For minor scratches and stains

Full grinding

• Treating the whole surface
• Professional equipment (planetary machines)
• For significant wear or widespread damage
• Removing a layer of 0.5-2 mm

Polishing technology

Step 1: coarse grinding (60-100 grit)

• Removing deep scratches
• Levelling the surface

Step 2: medium grinding (200-400 grit)

• Smoothing out marks
• Preparing for polishing

Step 3: fine grinding (800-1500 grit)

• Giving smoothness
• Preparing for the finish

Step 4: polishing (3000 grit + paste)

• Achieving the shine
• Crystallisation (for marble)

Crystallising marble: a chemical treatment that creates a protective layer and gives deep shine.

Advantages:

• Increasing the hardness of the surface
• A deep ‘wet’ shine
• Protection against dirt
• Durability

Removing stains from natural stone

Organic stains (coffee, tea, wine, food)

Method: a hydrogen peroxide poultice

• Soak a poultice material (white clay or paper pulp) with hydrogen peroxide (12%)
• Apply it to the stain in a layer of 5-10 mm
• Cover with polyethylene
• Leave for 24-48 hours
• Remove the poultice
• Rinse with water
• Repeat if necessary

Oily stains (oil, grease, cosmetics)

Method: a solvent poultice

• Soak the poultice material with acetone or white spirit
• Apply it to the stain
• Cover with polyethylene
• Leave for 24 hours
• Remove it and assess the result
• Repeat if necessary

Rust

Method: special products

• Use rust removers that are safe for stone
• Do NOT use acidic products on marble!
• Apply locally
• Rinse off thoroughly

Biological stains (mould, algae)

Method: biocidal products

• Treatment with special biocides
• Leave for the time given in the instructions
• Mechanical removal (a brush)
• Repeat treatment for prevention

Filling cracks and chips

Materials

Epoxy resins

• Two-component
• The possibility of matching the colour
• High strength
• Water resistance

Polyester resins

• Faster hardening
• Good adhesion to stone
• Can be polished

Cement mixes

• For large defects
• For travertine (filling pores)

Technology

• Cleaning the defect of dirt and dust
• Degreasing
• Matching the colour of the resin (pigments, stone chips)
• Mixing the components
• Filling the defect with an excess
• Removing the excess after it hardens
• Grinding flush with the surface
• Polishing

Filling the pores of travertine

The problem: the open pores of travertine collect dirt and make care harder.

The solution

Filling with epoxy resin:

• Cleaning the surface
• Applying the resin with an excess
• Removing the excess before it hardens
• Polishing after it hardens

Filling with a cement mix:

• Applying the mix
• Rubbing into the pores
• Removing the excess
• Grinding and polishing

Water-repellent treatment (impregnation)

When it is used

• After restoration
• To prevent new damage
• Regularly (once every 6-12 months)

Materials

Penetrating water repellents:

• Siloxane-based
• They do not change the appearance
• Protection from water and stains
• Vapour permeability is preserved

‘Wet-look’ coatings:

• They enhance the colour of the stone
• They give a light shine
• Protection + a decorative effect

Technology

• The surface must be clean and dry
• Application with a brush or roller
• An even coating without gaps
• Leave for the time given in the instructions
• Removing the excess (if needed)
• Reapplication (if needed)

Repairing stone joints

Re-grouting joints

Technology

• Removing the old grout
• Cleaning the joints
• Applying new grout
• Cleaning the stone surface

Choosing a grout

For polished stone:

• Sand-free grout
• A colour matching the stone

For antiqued stone:

• Grout with sand
• Natural shades

Repairing slab connections

The problem: cracks along the line of the joint between slabs.

The solution

• Removing the old filler
• Raking out the crack
• Filled with flexible sealant
• Shaping the joint
• Removing the excess

When full replacement is needed rather than restoration

Indications for replacing the surface

Widespread damage

• More than 30-40% of the tile is damaged
• Cracks across the whole area
• Widespread delamination

Problems with the base

• Destruction of the screed
• Active cracks in the base
• Problems with waterproofing

Obsolescence

• A wish to update the design
• Not meeting modern requirements
• A change in the function of the room

Economic impracticality

• The cost of restoration approaches the cost of replacement
• There is no spare tile and a match is impossible
• A guarantee on the new surface matters more

Advantages of restoration over replacement

Parameter	Restoration	Full replacement
Time	A few days	Weeks
Inconvenience	Minimal	Significant
Waste	A minimum	A lot
Preserving the original	Yes	No

Preventing damage

For porcelain stoneware

Rules of use

• Pads under heavy furniture
• Mats by the entrance (to collect sand and dirt)
• Timely cleaning
• Do not drop heavy objects

Care

• Regular damp cleaning
• Neutral products
• Periodic deep cleaning

For natural stone

Rules of use

• Immediately removing spilled liquids
• Avoiding acids on marble and travertine
• Using coasters and napkins
• Protection from mechanical impact

Care

• Only specialised products
• Regular water-repellent treatment
• Periodic polishing

Contact information

M-STONE: repair and restoration of surfaces

📞 Phones: +38 068 100 27 96, +38 050 914 18 99 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: https://mstone.ua/

Social media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstone_kiev/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mstone.kyiv/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@M-Stone_Kyiv/

Geography of work

Kyiv: all districts Kyiv region: Brovary, Irpin, Bucha, Vyshhorod, Vyshneve, Boyarka, Kozyn, Koncha-Zaspa and others All of Ukraine: visits for restoration projects

M-STONE advantages for restoration

✅ Restoration experience: all types of damage ✅ Work with stone: marble, travertine, granite, onyx ✅ Grinding and polishing: professional equipment ✅ Stain removal: even difficult cases ✅ A water-repellent treatment: protection after restoration ✅ Re-grouting: renewing the joints ✅ Replacing tile: exact matching

The current cost of work for your project can be calculated in the online calculators or confirmed by the manager: it depends on the material, the slab format and the condition of the substrate. The consultation is free.