Why is My Marble Countertop Chipping? Causes & Fixes

Your marble countertop is chipping because something is bumping it, or something heavy has been dropped on it. Dropping kitchen equipment can also cause your marble countertop to get chipped. 

How to fix a chip in marble countertop edge

The way to fix a marble countertop is to first obtain a marble chip repair kit. These kits come with all you will need to repair the edge of your marble countertop.

The kit will contain epoxy so that you can attach the two pieces together.

Different kits and different methods can be used when looking for products to fix a chip in your marble countertop. The first thing is to locate the chip if at all possible to place it back in the damaged area. If this isn’t possible you will have to take another route in fixing the chip.

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How to fix the edge of your marble countertop

If you were able to find the chipped piece

  • Find the chip so that it can be replaced
  • Mask off the area to be repaired with painter’s tape
  • Clean the area with a non-abrasive cleaner, and allow it to dry
  • Following the instructions on the epoxy, apply the epoxy and fit the two pieces together, allow to dry
  • Remove painter’s tape and clean the surface with a non-abrasive cleaner

If you were not able to find the chipped piece.

  • Purchase a color-match kit with marble dust
  • You can make a barrier with tape, or a piece of linoleum, to create the edge
  • Mix the epoxy with the color material
  • Pull the paste into a syringe and inject it into the mould you made
  • Allow setting for 24 hours.
  • Remove the mould and gently sand with a very fine sandpaper
  • Wipe the surface clean and use a marble polish to touch up the area

Another method used LED light to harden the resin just like the pros do.

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LCA Kits

Product (Amazon)

Utilising new technology to repair your marble countertop might feel somewhat daunting, but with these kits, you can save yourself the $35 – $85 an hour you would pay to have a professional come in and repair the corner of your marble countertop.

This new technology uses a non-epoxy, non-toxic acrylic gel that cures when put under an LED light. It’s actually a light on a special blue spectrum.  This may sound far-fetched but it works. 

There is a small light that is added to the kit, it’s about the size of something that would hang on a keychain. By shining this special type of light on the acrylic it begins to cure. This is where the trademarked name comes from. 

For Edge Repair
  • Clean and prepare the surface
  • Add the acrylic
  • Position the curing strip
  • Shine the curing light on the surface until it cures and hardens up
  • Once it set and hardens to the consistency of the marble, remove the curing strip
  • Sand the area with a fine grit sandpaper
  • Polish the area with a marble polish to get a finished look.

There are color choices to match your countertop color. LCA or Light Cure Acrylic is just another tool you can use when looking for ways to repair a chipped edge that may have occurred to your marble countertop. 

It is okay to DIY a smaller chip, but if it’s something that will take special equipment to fix, then it might be better to call a professional company to come and repair your marble countertop.

What can damage a marble countertop?

Your marble countertop can be damaged if something heavy bumps up against it or if something serious is dropped on it. It is better to use caution and to be careful when placing heavier objects near the edge of your marble countertop.

Even under the best of circumstances accidents can happen. Hitting your marble countertop edge with a piece of kitchen equipment, a heavy pan or a heavy utensil can happen.

Other ways that can damage your marble countertop.

  • Using the wrong cleaner. Using the wrong cleaners such as any cleaner that are acidic will damage your marble countertop. Examples are; vinegar, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide, all of which are too harsh to use to clean your marble countertop. This list also includes lemon or orange cleaners, basically anything that has a citric acid cleaning ingredient. 
  • Standing or sitting on the edge. Marble is resistant to many things but it is also brittle. Because marble is not flexible, it’s not a good idea to add too much pressure to the edges. Some countertops use a backer board but marble generally does not.

How easy is it to chip marble?

Marble is easy to chip if proper care and caution are not used. Marble may seem like it would be indestructible, but it is relatively easy to chip. Placing heavy objects down heavily close to the corner of your marble counter edge can cause chipping.

It may seem that because marble is considered a natural stone it would be hard as a rock. The truth is that while it is more scratch-resistant and heat-resistant, and stain-resistant and crack-resistant it is not without the possibility of chipping, cracking, or breaking. 

How much does it cost to repair a chip in a marble countertop?

It cost on average $200 – $1000 to repair a chip in a marble countertop. Marble countertops can be the centre focus of your kitchen, but sometimes accidents can occur, and it’s necessary to repair them to maintain the desired look you want to keep. 

Countertop chip repair is based on the type of material and for marble, there are procedures to follow to make sure the countertop is returned to its original condition.  

There is a possibility that if the edge chip is large enough and the repair is a substantial one, a total resurfacing and polishing would be necessary. In the process of repairing your marble countertop, the area is buffed and polished, and if the rest of the marble countertop is left alone it might be an eyesore to just have the patch buffed out. 

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How Do You Fill Holes in Marble?

You can fill holes in marble with epoxy glue. This will depend on the size of the hole, but as a general rule epoxy glue can be used to fill holes in your marble. When using epoxy glue to repair and fix holes in your marble, you will need some ground dust from the same marble you are repairing.

To fill holes in your marble there are kits you can buy. These kits have everything you might need to fill a hole in your marble. These kits will include colors to match your marble or you can buy additional colors to match your specific countertop. 

  • Thoroughly clean the area you are working on.
  • If the hole is substantial you may need to add some filler,
  • Mix the 2-part epoxy resin by following the manufacturer’s instructions. If you mix too much hardener in with the resin you won’t have time to work the mixture before it sets up.
  • Add the color to the mixture at the recommended time
  • Allow the surface to dry completely where you did your repair
  • After allowing the hole to dry completely, you can use steel wool to gently sand the surface and smooth out any imperfections on the surface.
  • Wipe the area clean and check for smoothness. If it’s to your satisfaction you can use a marble polishing product to finish the repair.
Greg

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From College to rented apartments, to now my own house, I've decorated them all. I'm a huge home improvement enthusiast and I share my knowledge with you here.

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