How to Repair Quartz Countertops and Keep Them Looking Great

You notice a chip, stain, or just a dull spot on your quartz countertops? The next second panic mode activated. We totally get it. You spent good money on those counters. But now they’re damaged. What to do? To make things worse, one wrong DIY fix kills your warranty and makes the issue even bigger.

Let's be real here. Quartz is tough. For sure, it stands a lot of tears and wears easily for years. However, it doesn't mean it never takes some damage. Think of heat marks, wine stains, and edge chips. These happen. Some homeowners try to fix them with the wrong products. The result? They end up with discolored patches or uneven surfaces that scream "amateur hour." Don't be like them.

The great news is we’ve repaired hundreds of quartz countertops in Charleston homes. This guide on how to repair quartz countertops shows you exactly how to handle common issues (and when to call pros). With a little know-how, your counters will stay stunning for years. Let’s dive in!

Common Types of Quartz Damage

Let's get real: quartz takes damage from time to time. You need to know what goes wrong with this stone. This helps you prevent disasters and act fast when some unpleasant accidents happen. Here’s what we see most in Charleston homes:

  • Stains: Yes, quartz is non-porous, but leave red wine, turmeric, or beet juice sitting too long, and you might get a faint shadow. Light-colored quartz shows it most. Quartz doesn’t soak up liquids like granite, but spill red wine or turmeric and leave it for hours? You’ll get a faint ring. We had a client leave coffee on their quartz for a whole day. When they wiped it up, a faint brown ring stayed.
  • Heat Damage: This one hurts. Place a 400°F+ pan directly on quartz, and the resin discolors—leaving a white haze or brown mark. It’s like a sunburn on your countertop.
  • Chips & Scratches: Drop a heavy pot? Edge chips. Cut veggies on the counter? Scratches everywhere. And steel wool? Don’t even think about it. One client dropped a cast iron pan on the edge. Chip happened instantly. We repaired it so seamlessly, you’d never know. But DIY attempts often make it worse. Always use cutting boards and soft cloths for cleaning. Use abrasive cleaners? They scratch the finish over time.
  • Etching: Harsh chemicals (looking at you, bleach and ammonia) are likely to dull the surface. It won’t eat into the stone like marble, but it loses its shine.
  • UV Fading: South-facing windows + sun = some colors fade over time. We see this a lot in beach houses.

Now, here’s the good news: most of this is avoidable. For stains, learning how to remove stains from quartz countertops is key. Blot—don’t wipe—spills right away. For heat, always use trivets. And for chips? Well, that’s where we come in.

PS Countertops Tip: A client used hair dye near their bathroom quartz. It stained pink! Our pro polish fixed it—but trivets and quick cleanups are cheaper.

Remember quartz is low-maintenance. It’s not no-maintenance. Yes. You need to treat it right, and it’ll pay off. The result? You'll have your counters up and sound for many decades.
If a building becomes architecture, then it is art

Guide to Repairing Quartz Countertops

Okay, let's get real about quartz repairs. We've been fixing stone countertops in Charleston SC for over a decade, and here's what actually works - no fluff, just straight talk from the workshop.

Dealing with Scratches

So you've got some light scratches? No worries.

  1. Grab a tube of Weiman Quartz Polish - it's what we use for minor surface marks.
  2. Squeeze a pea-sized amount on a microfiber cloth and work it in small circles. Just don't press too hard!
  3. Let the polish do the work. I've seen customers bring in counters that looked ten years old and leave looking brand new with just this simple trick.

Tackling Stains

Even quartz can hold onto stains if something really pigmented sits too long. Our go-to? Baking soda and water paste.

  1. Mix it until it's like thick toothpaste, spread it over the stain, and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
  2. Gently wipe it away with a damp cloth. For wine or turmeric stains, you might need to do this twice.
  3. Whatever you do, stay away from harsh chemicals - we had a client last month who used bleach on a coffee stain and ended up with a dull patch that needed professional help.

Fixing Chips

Now, repairing chipped quartz countertop edges is where things get interesting.

  • First, clean the area with rubbing alcohol. You'll need epoxy resin that matches your countertop color - this is the tricky part.
  • At shops, there are hundreds of color formulas, but for DIY, you might need to mix a few shades.
  • Apply it with a putty knife. Slightly overfill the chip. But don't overdo it.
  • Ok, let it cure completely (overnight is best).
  • Then sand it down carefully starting with 200-grit paper and working up to 600-grit. Finish with polish to blend the shine.

Here's our pro tip: Keep your repair area small and neat. We once saw a DIY job where someone slopped epoxy everywhere - ended up costing more to fix than the original chip!

Real talk from our workshop: Last week we fixed a chip from a falling blender. The homeowner tried a DIY fix first but the color was way off. Our color-match made it completely disappear.

Remember if you're not comfortable with any of this things described in our quartz countertop repair guide, just give us a call. We'd rather help you avoid a bigger problem than have you make things worse. Sometimes the best DIY is knowing when to call a professional!

When to Call a Professional

Let's be honest. Sometimes DIY just isn't worth the risk. After twenty years of fixing botched repair jobs, we can tell you exactly when to put down the tools and call us pros.

  • Deep cracks or large chips
  • Discoloration that won’t fade
  • Warranty-covered damage

If you're staring at a deep crack that's longer than a few inches, or a chip bigger than a dime, that's your signal to stop. These aren't simple fixes. They require professional-grade materials and techniques that most homeowners just don't have access to. I've seen too many small cracks turn into major problems because someone tried to patch it themselves with store-bought epoxy.

Discoloration that won't budge is another red flag. If you've tried the baking soda paste trick and that stain still won't lift, there's probably something more serious going on. Same goes for heat damage that's created a permanent cloudy spot. That's usually deeper than the surface.

Here's the big one: if your countertops are still under warranty, don't touch them! Most manufacturers will void your coverage if non-certified technicians attempt repairs. We just had a client in Mount Pleasant who learned this the hard way when she tried to fix a small chip herself and ended up voiding her 15-year warranty.
Why Pro Help Rocks:

  • Access to specialized tools and materials
  • Experience with color-matching
  • Warranty protection

The truth is, professional repair actually saves you money in the long run. We have color-matching technology that can perfectly blend any repair, industrial-grade equipment, and the experience to know exactly how to handle each unique situation.

For stone counters in Charleston SC, our team at PS Countertops has seen every type of damage imaginable and we know how to fix it right the first time.

Sometimes calling a pro isn't an expense - it's an investment in getting your beautiful counters back without the headache.
If a building becomes architecture, then it is art

Preventive Maintenance and Care Tips

Let us share the real secrets to keeping your quartz counters looking new - none of that robotic advice, just straight talk from our experience.

  • First, always use trivets or hot pads. We've seen too many clients set down a hot Dutch oven "just for a second" and end up with a permanent cloudy spot. The resin in quartz can't handle high heat, so better safe than sorry.
  • For cleaning, forget fancy products. Warm water with a drop of dish soap and a soft cloth is all you need. Avoid abrasive pads or harsh cleaners. Why? They dull your finish over time. When spills happen, and they will, blot them right away rather than wiping. This is especially true for things like red wine or coffee that could potentially stain if left sitting.

The beautiful thing about quartz is that it's designed to be low-maintenance. Follow these simple habits, and you'll rarely need to even think about how to repair quartz countertops at home. We tell all our Charleston clients that prevention beats repair every time. A little care now saves you from bigger headaches later.

Restore and Preserve Your Countertops

Let's talk about keeping your quartz counters looking like the day they were installed. The good news? With some simple habits, you can avoid most repairs altogether. But if damage does happen, knowing when to call in pros can save your counters - and your wallet.

First, prevention is everything. We always tell our Charleston clients: use cutting boards religiously, keep trivets handy near cooking areas, and wipe up spills immediately. That morning coffee or evening wine? Don't let it sit. For cleaning, stick to mild soap and warm water - no harsh chemicals needed. These simple habits will prevent 90% of the issues we see.

But let's be real - accidents happen. When they do, it's crucial to know your limits. Small scratches or stains? You can often handle those yourself with the right products. But when you're dealing with deep chips, cracks, or any damage that makes you nervous, that's when to call us. We've got specialized tools and materials that aren't available to homeowners, plus years of color-matching experience.

The truth is, sometimes attempting to repair quartz countertops at home can make things worse. We've seen DIY attempts that turned small issues into major repairs. Professional restoration might cost a bit upfront, but it's cheaper than replacement and will keep your counters looking beautiful for years to come.

PS Countertops Tip: Schedule a yearly check-up with us. We'll spot small issues before they become big problems - and it's completely free for our clients!