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No, soapstone does not crack easily. The softness of the material protects it from cracking but makes it prone to other types of damage such as scratches. Scratches may need to be buffed out occasionally using fine-grit sandpaper. You can also conceal minor scratches in your soapstone countertops by rubbing the surface with mineral oil.

Sealing is essential to keep your flagstone looking new for as long as possible. If you don’t seal flagstone, the surface can wear and stain. It also helps protect the stone’s natural texture. Just make sure you choose a matte sealant to avoid making your stone slippery like a glossy sealant can.

In most cases, chipped or cracked granite can be salvaged, but it depends on the size and scope of the damage. For example, a pro can smooth out small chips on the edge with polish pads or an angle grinder, but a crack that runs through the stone's surface has little-to-no chance of being fixed easily.

Marble is high maintenance, like most other types of natural stone flooring. However, because it is naturally a more porous stone, there are a few added care instructions. You will need to clean it often to prevent dirt and grit from scratching the finish and surface, keep it dry, clean up spills immediately, and have it professionally sealed and refinished at least once a year to maintain the shine and water-tight surface. However, investing in maintenance is a smart move because marble floors are among the most beautiful and valuable types of flooring when properly cared for.