Services

Natural stone restoration

We restore marble, limestone, travertine, granite and terrazzo across Bay Area lobbies, corridors, elevator banks and stairs. Through inspection, deep cleaning, progressive diamond honing, polishing and penetrating sealers, we bring worn architectural stone back to a uniform, protected finish.

A woman in a navy Add Life polo buffs a white veined marble lobby floor to a high sheen with a floor polishing machine.

What we look for

On the walk, across marble, limestone and terrazzo.

  1. Stone composition and bedding

    Calcite-based marble, limestone and travertine versus silicate granite or cement and epoxy terrazzo: each responds differently to diamond grits and compounds.

  2. Acid etching and rings

    Dull spots near coffee bars, restrooms, bottle fillers and entry doors where acidic spills or improper cleaners have etched the calcium surface.

  3. Lippage and grout joints

    High tile corners that catch shoe soles and floor machines, plus cracked or recessed joints that trap soil and moisture.

  4. Embedded stains and failed coatings

    Oil, rust or organic discoloration wicked into porous limestone, or yellowed topical waxes applied over stone that was meant to breathe.

  5. Stair treads, landings and thresholds

    Hand-tool access for risers, stair nosings, elevator sills and border inlays where full-size rotary machines cannot reach.

  6. Desired finish and sheen

    A soft honed matte that hides foot traffic in limestone corridors, a warm satin sheen, or a formal high polish in a reception atrium.

An elevator lobby with dark polished granite floor tiles reflecting brushed stainless steel doors in evening light.
A technician in a navy Add Life polo and blue gloves draws a flat microfiber applicator pad across honed limestone.

Marble and limestone process

Four steps from dull stone to a protected finish.

Natural stone restoration refines the stone itself rather than hiding scratches under a wax coat that peels and yellows.

  1. Inspection and surface assessment

    We test the stone type, map lippage, scratches, acid etching and moisture, and mask baseboards, glass walls and adjacent flooring before work begins.

  2. Deep cleaning and stain treatment

    Alkaline or pH-neutral stone cleaners lift embedded soil from pores and joints, and targeted poultice treatments draw out localized oil or organic stains.

  3. Diamond honing for scratches and etching

    Progressive resin-bond diamond pads remove surface scratches, traffic wear and acid etch marks, leaving a smooth, uniform honed surface free of distortion.

  4. Polishing and penetrating protection

    Fine polishing compounds develop a honed, satin or high-gloss finish, followed by a breathable penetrating sealer that resists water and oil absorption.

What we write down

What goes into the stone restoration scope.

  1. Finish specification

    Honed matte, satin or high polish written by room, with sample test areas approved on the walk.

  2. Sealer and chemistry

    The penetrating sealer, neutral daily cleaner and poultice materials named with safety sheets on site.

  3. Care plan and schedule

    Walk-off mat placement, microfiber dusting and periodic diamond burnishing written into your calendar.

Restored marble, limestone and terrazzo

  • A man in a navy Add Life polo checks resin diamond honing pads under a floor machine head on a limestone corridor floor.
  • A worn commercial limestone lobby landing showing dull traffic lanes, surface scratches and light etching before honing.
  • A freshly honed and sealed cream limestone lobby landing with a smooth satin sheen and clean grout lines.
  • A sunlit corporate lobby with book-matched white and gray veined marble floor tiles polished to a clear reflection.
  • A bright biotech campus atrium with honed cream limestone flooring, glass balustrade stairs and indoor planters.
  • A technician in a navy Add Life polo polishes terrazzo stair treads and landings with a compact hand-held rotary tool.

Questions about natural stone restoration

What is the difference between a honed finish and a polished finish?

A honed finish stops at a smooth, velvet matte or low-satin diamond grit that diffuses light and conceals everyday foot traffic. A polished finish continues through finer diamond stages until the stone reflects overhead lighting like a mirror.

Does a penetrating sealer change the look of marble or limestone?

No. A natural-look penetrating sealer absorbs below the surface to slow water and oil penetration without leaving a plastic film or changing the sheen developed by the diamonds.

How do you keep daily janitorial crews from dulling freshly restored stone?

We train the nightly crew on pH-neutral stone cleaner dilution, clean microfiber pad rotation and walk-off mat upkeep, and remove acidic, vinegar, ammonia and abrasive products from the closet.

Request a site walk

Share your contact details so we can arrange a site walk and discuss the service your facility needs.

Call 650-599-0202