Common questions about marble, granite, terrazzo, and concrete restoration in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Answers from Rose Restoration International — 40+ years of stone, concrete, and specialty surface restoration in the DMV.
Get a Free Assessment or call 703-327-7676
General Questions
How quickly can Rose Restoration respond to a project inquiry?
Most residential inquiries get a senior estimator response within 2 business hours. Commercial RFPs deliver detailed proposals within 2 business days for qualified scopes. For urgent matters, mark inquiries “URGENT” — these route to a senior estimator within 4 business hours.
What is your service area?
Rose Restoration’s primary service area is Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia — within roughly 100 miles of our Fairfax headquarters. We have completed projects further afield (Florida, Carolinas, Texas) on a project-by-project basis for partners with multi-region portfolios.
What does Rose Restoration’s warranty cover?
All Rose Restoration work is backed by a 1-year written workmanship warranty — if a repair fails, a polish dulls prematurely, or a sealer breaks down within 12 months under normal use, we return and re-do the work at no charge. Marble Armor installations carry an additional 10-year manufacturer-backed protection warranty against etching and staining.
Are estimates and assessments free?
Yes — in-home assessments and project estimates are free for residential and most commercial scopes. A senior technician (not a salesperson) visits your space, evaluates surfaces, photographs the condition, and discusses your goals before providing a written proposal within 48 hours.
Do you bring your own equipment and water management?
Yes. We bring all professional diamond honing equipment, dust extraction, water containment, and protection materials on-site. Adjacent surfaces, fixtures, and flooring are masked and protected before any wet work begins.
How long does most residential restoration take?
Most countertop and vanity projects are completed in a single day. Floor projects typically take 1-3 days depending on square footage and condition. Shower restorations are 2-4 days. Larger or multi-room projects scope longer; we provide a precise schedule with every proposal.
Marble Care & Restoration
Why does my marble show etching even when I clean it carefully?
Marble is calcium carbonate, which reacts chemically with any acidic substance — lemon juice, wine, tomato sauce, vinegar, and many household cleaners. The reaction dissolves the polished surface, leaving a dull or whitish “etch” mark. Even careful cleaning won’t prevent this if the cleaner itself is acidic. See our guide to why marble etches.
Can etch marks be removed?
Yes — diamond honing across the entire surface restores the original finish. Spot treatment doesn’t work because it creates visible inconsistencies in finish. We hone uniformly and re-polish to match the original appearance. See how Rose removes etch marks.
What is the difference between honing and polishing?
Honing produces a matte or satin finish using progressive diamond grits. Polishing is the final step that brings stone to a high-gloss reflective finish using fine grits and chemical polishing compounds. Most marble installations are polished; some bathroom and floor applications are honed for a softer look. See honed vs. polished marble.
How often should marble be sealed?
For high-use surfaces (kitchen counters, bathroom vanities), every 2-3 years with premium impregnating sealer. Floors and lower-use surfaces, every 4-5 years. Water beading on the surface tells you sealer is intact; absorption (water darkening the stone) means it’s time to re-seal.
What is Marble Armor and how does it differ from sealing?
Sealer prevents staining (slows liquid absorption); it does not prevent etching. Marble Armor is an invisible composite topical protection film that prevents both etching and staining for approximately 10 years. It’s the only product that addresses the etching risk for high-use marble surfaces. See Marble Armor details.
Are stains in marble permanent?
Most stains — including oil, food, makeup, organic stains — can be extracted via poultice. The poultice draws absorbed pigment back out of the stone over 24-48 hours. Old stains extract just as well as fresh stains. See marble stain removal.
Can scratches in marble be removed?
Yes. Diamond honing removes the scratched surface layer and restores the original finish. The amount of stone removed is microscopic. See marble scratch removal.
What’s the difference between Calacatta, Carrara, and Statuario marble?
Calacatta: bold gold-and-grey veining on a bright white background; the most demanding marble for restoration technique. Carrara: soft grey-veined on a white-grey background; common in floors and showers. Statuario: bright white luxury marble with subtle grey veining; restoration close to Calacatta. See our variety guides for each.
Granite Care & Restoration
Does granite need to be sealed like marble?
Yes, but less frequently. Granite is denser than marble but still porous; quality sealer prevents staining from oil, wine, and other liquids. We recommend re-sealing every 3-5 years for kitchen counters, with annual touch-ups in heavy-use prep zones. See granite countertop sealing.
Can chipped granite be repaired?
Yes. Color-matched epoxy filler restores both the appearance and structural integrity of the chip. From standing height the repair is invisible to a normal observer. See granite chip repair.
Why does granite etch when I use citrus cleaners on it?
Granite generally does not etch — but if you’re seeing dull marks, it may be that your “granite” is actually marble or quartzite. We can confirm via a simple drop test in an inconspicuous corner.
Can a failed granite seam be repaired?
Yes. We remove failed epoxy filler completely, re-prep the cavity, and install new color-matched seam filler that’s polished flush with the surrounding stone. A properly executed seam repair lasts 10+ years.
Shower & Bathroom Stone
Why does my marble shower develop soap scum and hard water stains?
Soap reacts with hard water minerals to form a film that cements to the marble surface. Hard water itself deposits mineral scale. Both are removable through professional restoration — but daily squeegee use prevents recurrence. See marble shower restoration.
How often should travertine showers be maintained?
Annual professional maintenance is the right cadence. Without it, accumulated soap scum, scale, mildew, and grout failure compound to require a major restoration every 8-12 years. Annual maintenance ($400-700) prevents this. See travertine shower restoration.
Should the holes in travertine be filled?
Most installations are filled with color-matched epoxy or grout when initially installed. Over time the fillers degrade and need re-filling. We re-fill open holes during restoration to restore the surface continuity.
Process & Pricing
How much does residential stone restoration cost?
Typical ranges: kitchen vanity $300-$900, full kitchen island $700-$1,800, master bathroom shower $2,500-$5,500, foyer floor $400-$900, fireplace surround $200-$600. Pricing depends on stone type, condition, scope, and surface area. We provide written quotes after free in-home assessment.
How does Rose Restoration’s pricing compare to replacement?
Restoration typically saves 70-90% versus full replacement. A kitchen counter that costs $4,000-$10,000 to replace usually restores for $700-$1,800. Beyond cost, restoration preserves the original installation, the original veining match, and avoids 1-3 weeks of kitchen downtime.
What does the restoration process involve?
(1) Site protection and assessment, (2) Surface cleaning and stripping if needed, (3) Diamond honing through progressive grits, (4) Polishing to specified finish, (5) Optional Marble Armor or sealer application, (6) Final inspection. Most projects complete in a single day. See marble honing explained.
Can you work in occupied homes?
Yes. We routinely work in occupied homes with dust containment, floor protection, and end-of-day staging plans. Most clients stay in the home during single-day projects; multi-day projects with adjacent room access typically also stay in residence.
Do you offer maintenance programs?
Yes — annual maintenance contracts for residential and commercial clients. For high-use luxury condo lobbies and hospitality clients, we build custom maintenance programs that prevent the cumulative damage that requires major periodic restoration.
Commercial & RFP
What’s your typical RFP response time for commercial projects?
Most proposals deliver within 2 business days for straightforward scopes. Complex multi-phase projects requiring a site walk and value engineering may take 5-10 business days. We always confirm a delivery date within 24 hours of RFP receipt.
Do you carry comprehensive insurance and bonding?
Yes — comprehensive general liability, workers compensation, auto, and umbrella coverage. COI is customized to project specifications and additional insureds added per requirement. Bonding is available for qualified projects with advance coordination.
Do you have past performance with federal or institutional clients?
Extensive — including the International Monetary Fund, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, Marine Barracks Washington, Virginia State Capitol, and other federal/institutional projects. References available on request.
Do you self-perform or subcontract?
Stone, concrete, terrazzo, and metal restoration are 100% self-performed by our in-house crew. We may subcontract specific specialty trades (electrical, mechanical, demolition) only when required by scope, with clear coordination and accountability.
Can you work after-hours, overnight, or on weekends?
Yes — we routinely handle hotel work between guest occupancy, government work outside business hours, and commercial work on nights and weekends to accommodate operational needs.
Marble Armor
What is Marble Armor and how is it applied?
Marble Armor is a clear composite protection film applied directly to marble surfaces. It bonds with the stone through a specialized adhesion process, resulting in an invisible protective layer that prevents both etching and staining for approximately 10 years.
Will Marble Armor change the look of my marble?
No. The film is optically matched to natural stone — when properly applied, the marble looks identical to before installation, preserving the full visual depth, veining, and color.
Where is Marble Armor most valuable?
Anywhere marble sees daily acidic exposure: kitchen counters and islands (lemon, wine, tomato sauce), bathroom vanities (skincare products, makeup, hair products), wet bars, and dining tables. The 10-year protection eliminates the need for constant vigilance.
Does Marble Armor work on quartzite, granite, or other stones?
Marble Armor is specifically formulated for marble and similar calcium-based stones (limestone, travertine). For granite and quartzite, premium impregnating sealer provides appropriate protection — these stones don’t etch the way marble does.
How does the 10-year Marble Armor warranty work?
The 10-year manufacturer-backed protection warranty against etching and staining is included with every Marble Armor installation. Combined with our 1-year workmanship warranty, your installation is backed end-to-end.
Still have questions?
For questions specific to your project, surface, or scope:
- Phone: 703-327-7676
- Email: info@roserestoration.com
- Free in-home assessment: request here
- Stone Care Glossary: 40+ industry terms defined
- Project portfolio: case studies and past performance
