How to Fix a Cracked Marble Hearth
Marble hearths are attractive, but they can weaken due to the rapid changes in temperature, which causes cracks in the surface. Patch the cracks with high-quality epoxy as soon as you see them to prevent the marble from cracking further. Weakened marble will continue to crack, fall into two pieces or feel unstable when you handle it.
Step 1
Clean the hearth to remove any dust or grease that will interfere with the repair. Use a household cleaner, such as dish soap, and a small brush to clean out the crack. Rinse well, and dry it thoroughly.
Step 2
Mix the two-part epoxy according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use an epoxy that you have to mix yourself. Some epoxies come in a syringe and mix as you depress the plunger. However, this doesn't give you the ability to control how you apply the epoxy or how much you mix.
Step 3
Fill the crack with the epoxy using a syringe or by dabbing it in with a toothpick. Work the epoxy deep into the crack so it covers all the surface. Allow the epoxy to cure according to package instructions. The epoxy will expand as it dries and fill the gap.
Step 4
Clean off any epoxy residue using acetone nail polish on a cotton ball.
References
Tips
- Call a professional if the marble cracks deep enough that it isn't structurally sound.
- Buy epoxy that is tinted to match the marble for a more subtle repair. You can also tint the epoxy yourself using dye pigments. Mix the pigments into the dye a little at a time until you have the desired effect.
Warnings
- Marble that has cracked straight through has usually weakened due to age or has dried out. Replace this instead of trying to patch it together.
Writer Bio
Shara JJ Cooper graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism in 2000, and has worked professionally ever since. She has a passion for community journalism, but likes to mix it up by writing for a variety of publications. Cooper is the owner/editor of the Boundary Sentinel, a web-based newspaper.
Photo Credits
- Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
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