Headstone Cleaning and Maintenance

Headstones are memorial stones erected over graves to mark the remembrance for the person resting in peace. Memorial headstones are considered to be lasting symbols of remembrance. Though many types of materials are used for making headstones, but granite and marble are most commonly used stones which come in various different varieties and colors. Granite is usually shinny polished headstone material, where as, marble is unpolished stone that come in mostly white color. Due to improved production techniques and reduction in transportation costs, the prices of granite has considerably gone down and this has resulted in relatively static prices of headstones monuments and memorial tombstones. Marble is considered to be quite good for carving and very elaborate design and symbols can be made with them. Skilled artisans can do intricate artistry and sculpting on marble headstones tombstone pieces and can make almost every type of designer lettering symbols. However, the main down side of marble headstones and memorial tombstone pieces are that they start weathering over the years and so can not be last very longer and can not be looked upon as everlasting.

Granite headstones can last longer and does not weather as marble headstones do. Granite headstones can be cleaned with soapy water and can retain to their glory after being washed out properly. But, normal washing and cleaning is fine for general grim and dusty surface, where as, if very old granite stone grave monuments and memorials have to be cleaned, then that might well require a chemical which can remove the deposited dust and dirt carefully. This thoroughly cleaned up task is generally performed by memorial masons who are hired for cleaned and up keeping of headstones and tombstones. Letter inscriptions on marble granite headstone once cut may never have to be re-cut since the lettering done will remain as sharp and prominent after many years as they have been cut originally. The only remedial work of applying enamel color coating on these headstones has to be taken care of during the maintenance and touching up tasks. And, the enamel coating also does not cost high and is relatively cheap process. There are many companies offering maintenance and re-touching services of headstones and memorials and one can find these companies on internet very easily.

At times, a headstone or a tombstone subsides and goes out of level while placing it on the grave. Since any normal size headstone may weigh around a ton, so it is expected that the concrete base platform should be raised and then packed under the earth. If any headstone piece has to be fixed on a concrete base, it should settle well and re-leveling should be done at least twice so as to get it affixed. A headstone mason should be hired to re-level at least twice and will charge a very nominal amount for this. At many places, anchor fixing procedures are becoming very popular as these services offer safer fixing of headstone memorials in the cemeteries. One can find a number of companies online offering such anchor fixing procedures.