If you were to pick up a piece of marble right now, you might find yourself staring at what appears to be long cracks. However, most of these “cracks” aren’t as they seem - they are actually called “fissures”, and they are a natural and normal formation in the marble. So how do you know the difference?
What is a fissure?
Something called “pitting” occurs when there is a small space that forms between the deposits of mineral crystals within a natural stone. This can happen during polishing, cooling, or heating, and a fissure is the same thing but a larger “crack” that is created the same way. Fissures are a natural phenomenon within geological and environmental forces, so they are common and naturally occurring.
Difference between crack and fissure
There are a few ways to tell the difference between cracks and fissures. The shape and size is the main way to differentiate between the two, as fissures are elongated but more narrow, with crystalline structures throughout the stone. Cracks, on the other hand, could be both narrow or wide, and only appear in one area of the slab, and run the entire depth of the marble.
Another way to determine if you have a crack or a fissure in your marble is to feel it. When you run your fingernail over a fissure, it should run smoothly, as a fissure doesn’t change the area of the stone and causes no gaps. When you run your fingernail over a crack, there will be a noticeable uneven area, as a crack can change the plane of the stone.
Bottom line
Depending on the placement of the marble, and the color, you may not even be able to see fissures in the stone. However, with certain angles and bright light, fissures, pitting, and cracks, become visible. It is important to recognize that a fissure is not a crack, and while fissures are naturally occurring and unproblematic to your marble, cracks can develop into problems such as chipping, separation, and breakage. Cracks can be repaired by a stone contractor who can determine if underlying structural repairs are needed.
Cracks, fissures, and more
With any stone coming straight from nature, like the marble at Cochise Marble Company, you will find marks, fissures, and natural elements embedded. Do you need to fix cracks in marble countertops or other surfaces? Find out why cracks occur and how to repair them.
Marble is such a beautiful building material, adding both unique flair and luxurious style to featured elements in your home: countertops, floors, showers and even tubs. It’s generally very durable too, able to last for years under all sorts of conditions. These natural stones were originally formed by extremes of heat and pressure as the Earth was formed, forcing the minerals in them, (often calcite or dolomite) to bond. These mineral deposits are what created the striations that make each slab unique. Yet, even with such heat-cured strength, it’s still possible for natural marble to crack, chip, or break.
Why do cracks in marble occur?
The marble slabs used in your home or office have been painstakingly cut from large blocks of naturally-occurring marble. During the mining and processing steps, small irregularities in the slab’s surface can appear. The irregularities may stem from how the compressed minerals lay when the stone was formed, or even from a tiny chip of seashell or other item. These micro-imperfections are often polished out during processing, but their effects can also result in virtually-invisible hairline cracks in the slab, leading to a larger crack later on as your property settles. Or something heavy may have dropped on your countertop or shower floor and caught a weak spot. Whatever the reason, you don’t necessarily need to despair! Many cracks or chips can be repaired.
Here’s the process we like to use to fix cracks in marble:
- Assess the damage - Is it a hairline crack, or something larger, where the pieces are separating? Early on you may even barely notice the opening unless you run your hand over it, and this isn’t too hard to fix. But left unrepaired it can expand through scrubbing or your home settling. At that point it will likely require professional expertise. Is it a chip? If just a single piece broke off in a clean break, and you have the piece, that’s also something relatively simple to repair. Is it a wide or very long crack, or a spidery set of cracks (like something heavy dropped on it)? These are more challenging, and could result in bigger problems ranging from structural stability to water and bacteria getting under the slab. This scenario warrants professional assessment.
- Clean break or chip? Simple steps to fix cracks in marble - If you’re seeing a clean break and are experienced at working with caulk or putty, you may be able to take on this job by yourself. Just remember that once the adhesive is in place, it’s harder to fix the patch than the original break. So if you have any doubts, it may be worth calling in a pro! First, clean the area completely, being sure to remove any dust or tiny particles. Try a stiff bristle brush, and possibly using a vacuum-hose directly on the edges. Then put some acetone on a lint-free cloth or Q-tip (in a well-ventilated area!) and rub down the whole surface of the damaged piece to ensure it’s completely clean. Finally, stabilize and/or reconstruct the gap: 2-part clear epoxy or some other UV/water-resistant adhesive is often the best choice. You’ll want to mix epoxy to putty consistency, and use an applicator like a putty knife, or possibly a fine-tipped syringe, to completely fill the opening. Use white Bounty paper towels lightly damped with alcohol to fully wipe up any adhesive that has squeezed out. If the pieces had been separated, press them together, using a clamp to create tight pressure. TIP: be sure that the clamp doesn’t touch the epoxy area!
- The good news is, it IS possible to fix cracks in marble, and repair small chips too. Successful repair requires attention to detail, patience, good technique, and the right product.
- Your Stone Be Repaired? Marble, granite, and quartz are all beautiful stones that are not only gorgeous but functional in kitchen and baths everywhere. These stones are made to be installed in areas of high use, and many are highly durable. Over time, as with everything in our homes, stone will begin to show signs of wear and tear. Some of this is expected and may not even be noticeable. Scratches in countertops are not a totally uncommon occurrence, sometimes happening due to everyday use, other times as a result of an accident. More severe incidences may result in a crack in the stone. When anything abrasive, such as sand or certain cleaners rub down on your stone, it can scratch and eventually dull the finish of the countertop. The harder the stone, the less likely it is to get scratched. Can you Remove Scratches? You can remove light scratches from your stone surface by buffing the area. If the scratch is deeper than surface level, you will likely need to recruit professional help to restore the stone surface.
- Another method for fixing scratches is to use nail polish. First clean the area thoroughly, then fill in any gaps by applying clear nail polish over these areas repeatedly until they are filled up entirely. This will give you an even finish. Allow to dry overnight and apply additional coats if necessary. You may need to scrape the excess with a razor blade to clean.
There is nuance in identifying fissures versus cracks. Fissures are naturally occurring in many types of stone and are defined by the American Geological Institute as an “extensive crack, break, or fracture in the rock…,” the term used in the stone industry to describe a visible separation along the crystalline boundaries naturally occurring in the stone. Cracks, on the other hand, result from stresses from handling, fabrication, transport, and/or installation of stone. Cracks will often appear around areas of stress, such as where the countertop opens up for the sink. Cracks also tend to appear on and around supports and typically follow a relatively straight line. Fissures can also appear straight, although they are occurring along the natural crystalline structure of the stone. Fissures are extremely narrow, where cracks can be wider. Fissures are naturally occurring and don’t change the plane of the stone; if you place a level across the fissure, it would remain flush with both sides of the stone. One trick to determining if you have a crack or a fissure is to run your fingernail or a car key across the area. If it’s smooth, it’s more likely a fissure.
Although countertops are very durable, some surfaces are more susceptible to cracks than others. Cracks may be caused by sudden changes in temperature, which is why you want to keep trivets and heat protectors on hand to avoid placing hot pots or pans directly on your countertop. In addition, some quartz countertops can be sensitive to extreme cold as well, so you should avoid placing a bag of ice on your countertop for example. You should avoid tossing keys, silverware, or other hard objects on your countertops.
Step-by-step repair overview
- Gather your supplies
- Clean the countertop thoroughly
- Prepare the work area with masking tape
- Mix epoxy to a putty-like consistency
- Fill the crack with epoxy and smooth the surface
- Allow to cure and then finish with fine sanding
There are professional seaming kits that fabricators use, or even the option to route out the damaged area and glue in a patch. These methods use materials and tools that most of us do-it-yourselfers don’t own or have access to. Always use a cutting board to maintain the shine of your countertop, and use gentle cleaning sponges for everyday care.
Fissures and Cracks in Naturals Stone, Granite, Marble, Quartz, Soapstone, Limestone, Travertine.wmv
If you see what appears to be a crack in your stone floor, but when you touch it, you can’t feel it, then it is an indent fracture. Normally the crack in the floor is only noticeable under certain lighting conditions. If you put a straight edge over the crack and put a flashing light behind it, then there should be a slight gap further indicating it is an indent fracture. Normally indent fractures occur from excessive shrinkage in the thin-set mortar adhesive or the mortar bed below it. Often the excessive shrinkage is due to too thick of thinset or mortar. Once the cracking occurs in the underlying materials then the crack will telegraph up partially into the tile which creates the indent condition. Eventually if the tile is subjected to a certain degree of stress, the indent fracture might turn into an actual crack. The only way to know for sure what is causing the condition and to know how to remediate it, is to have a tile expert carefully remove the affected tiles to look for the evidence.
Normally stone will only chip if something heavy and sharp is dropped on it.