GRAVE CLEANING

« **on:** September 30, 2007, 03:50:41 pm »

Hi,

Has anyone ever cleaned graves, headstones and memorial, monuments etc, ?

Cheers.

Gary.

« **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2007, 04:05:28 pm »

Never even thought about something like that, have you been asked to quote for one?

I suppose you would just charge 1 hours worth, as i can't see it taking more than 25/30 minutes personally

« **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2007, 04:08:59 pm »

yes but i have seen some and they are overgrown, and the whole thing is black, as opposed to white marble how it used to be,

just curious as to the best way and to pick brains if anyone has done one.

cheers

« **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2007, 04:14:55 pm »

Good Idea.

Can see it being hard to find a point of sale for it, so unless your approached it could be hard.

« **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2007, 04:33:07 pm »

Grave cleaning?

Over my dead................................

« **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2007, 04:37:28 pm »

just had a go at cleaning my mums, who died a couple of months ago !....

but she wanted to be buried with her mum and dad and the grave is old and very black.

« **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2007, 04:41:43 pm »

if it's really bad, you'll probably need to apply a bit less pressure but a tiny bit of heat.

« **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2007, 05:41:21 pm »

Hi

Go to or phone a local supplier and ask what they suggest for traffic dust, moss and aged stone, maybe a stonemasons or even a funeral director may know more.

Best of luck

Regards

Martin

« **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2007, 07:45:43 pm »

I clean my grandparents grave with an old nail brush and a bucket of water with a squirt of washing up liquid.
I go every two years or so, they are buried in South Yardley Cemetry in Birmingham which is about 100 miles from where I live.
The stone comes up like new, unlike my grandparents.

« **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2007, 10:17:35 pm »

I know that one 5 miles from me.

« **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2007, 10:19:40 pm »

jesus thats a deadly job that!! maybe its a good idea as graves go like flags. (black) there would be enough of them to do too in one cemetry. you would need to be very carefull not to damage them. how would you advertise it, in the cemetry itself.??

« **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2007, 07:48:45 am »

Make sure you don't quote tombe much or you cadaver customer who is unhappy about coffin up for the bill.

« **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2007, 10:32:19 am »

going up to mums grave is is not something i found pleasant she had a brain tumour and died in june, i asked advice regarding cleaning graves, from professional people on this site.

im afraid i am not in a joking mood regarding this, and although some may find having a laugh over coffins and graves, i am not one of them ,

Thanks to all the other inputs regarding cleaning.

will take them on board.

Cheers.

Gary.

« **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2007, 11:44:42 am »

Gary,
Absolutely not my intention to cause offence, but sincere apologies if I have done.
Mike

« **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2007, 12:14:30 pm »

Not one product recommended except washing up liquid

.

I've been watching this thread as my mums stone could do with a clean and really don't think Fairy Liquid is the way to go. Marble is a soft stone and can be quite easy to scratch, the white stones especially seem to show the dirt and grime from traffic and the elements.

Can anyone recommend something that will do a good clean rather than a maintenance wipe over. As marble is porous once the moss gets in there it is really hard to get off and leaves a black 'scar' and I'm even wondering if the marks left behind are permanent unless professionally polished in some way.
I'm thinking something alcohol based and quick drying applied by a miracle cloth followed by a coat of something to stop the moss growth.

« **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2007, 02:40:41 pm »

you have to be careful of lettering. fairy liquid seems the way.

« **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2007, 03:51:13 pm »

This thread was about marble. So it might give a few ideas to try

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=42591.0

Arthur

« **Reply #17 on:** October 02, 2007, 09:44:00 am »

The 2 Garys,
Have a look at this site
http://www.tensid.com/index.php

It sounds like what you need is the Marble poultice or the liquid Marble cleaner gel, check to limitations on these as the cleaner gel is not intended for Black Marbel, if you give them a call ask to speak to Richard, very helpful. Remember you PPE as some of this stuff is very strong.

« **Reply #18 on:** October 02, 2007, 04:50:23 pm »

recently cleaned an old family gravestone which was white marble but over the years had gone black was trying for ages with scrubing brush not much joy then the cemetry caretaker came over and said use parazone bleach neat but not any other brand dont know why so igot a couple of bottles put it on and it came up a treat

« **Reply #19 on:** October 02, 2007, 05:13:45 pm »

Ummmm $:-\$ tempted to give it a go, but will stay away from the black lettering. Thanks though, I'll let you know how it goes.

Dropped some peannuts in a saucepan of chocolate once, they came out a Treat as well

« **Reply #20 on:** October 02, 2007, 08:03:56 pm »

evening chaps! one of my commercial cleaning contracts is in a monumental masons,have been there today but am due back there friday. if ya can wait i will have a word with them, i know they sell cleaning products for it so will get prices etc if interested and could always post them on 4 u???

« **Reply #21 on:** October 03, 2007, 06:44:24 pm »

Quote from: northstar on October 01, 2007, 11:44:42 am

Gary,
Absolutely not my intention to cause offence, but sincere apologies if I have done.
Mike

Hi Mike,

im not normally sensitive, and i like a good laugh, i was just upset the other day... sorry too mate... and accepted.

cheers.

and thanks for all help to everyone.

Gary

« **Reply #22 on:** October 03, 2007, 07:11:06 pm »

try having a word with the local diacese. I'm sure that is spelt wrong.
The local vicar to me told me to contact them regarding all church related cleaning and work.
I never did get round to contacting them but this thread has reminded me.
Hope all goes well gazza

« **Reply #23 on:** October 03, 2007, 08:17:08 pm »

i clean my dad grave stone with puse water whick i use for window cleaning it contains no chemicals and gives it a nice sheen

« **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2007, 12:47:27 pm »

i know just the ticket......... go to www.stonesandroses.ltd.uk - fabulous company who specialize in cleaning and are based in Hertfordshire. Lovely ladies

« **Reply #25 on:** August 01, 2009, 05:23:27 pm »

Quote from: Ryan Phillips on October 02, 2007, 04:50:23 pm

recently cleaned an old family gravestone which was white marble but over the years had gone black was trying for ages with scrubing brush not much joy then the cemetry caretaker came over and said use parazone bleach neat but not any other brand dont know why so igot a couple of bottles put it on and it came up a treat

Is anyone any further on this topic? Parozone bleach btw is ph 6 -8 so this maybe why the caretaker recommended this lower ph bleach.

« **Reply #26 on:** August 01, 2009, 07:12:45 pm »

http://www.ctgravestones.com/Conservation/cleaning.htm

« **Reply #27 on:** August 01, 2009, 07:46:18 pm »

Gentlemen this is one area of cleaning you really have to do your research on,get it wrong and your in a world of hurt.
I'll start 1st with the subject of cleaning marble and granite,one of the best ways is with.........
Baking soda

yes baking soda
Rub baking soda into the marble with a damp cloth. Then, rinse with water; towel dry; and you're done!
Baking soda is a light abrasive and a natural disinfectant, so it's tough on stains
why use it?
its cheap for a start
its a sanitizer
good stain remover
won't etch marble

DO NOT USE vinegar, lemon or other acidic stuff to clean marble – this can lead to etching

The lettering,this can be made up of anything from lead slate or the gold stuff i wont go into this alot but do your homework(google) on it as this is the most important part.

For other headstones you really have to find out what the stone is,some are sandstone,limestone,the list go's on you can get away with pressure washer the harder stone but for god sake not the softer stone.

OK,why do i give this warning,i like some of you thought about doing this a few years back,got asked to do one and without any knowlege slightly buggered up the top edge of the headstone using to much pressure beleive me the grief i got from another family member

It really is one very delicate bit of work to do,think about it,if someone came along and damage your family shrine......................... how would you react?

« **Reply #28 on:** August 01, 2009, 07:58:18 pm »

Quote from: GWCS on August 01, 2009, 07:12:45 pm

http://www.ctgravestones.com/Conservation/cleaning.htm

thats a good pointer and quite a bit of help GWCS i did find that about a year ago,problem you got there is thats in the USA they dont import stone as much as we do so they get slighty different probs then we do in UK.

Also this will make you laugh,in some grave yards they have become some what of a conservation area beleive it or not some lichens that grow on certain headstones are a protected species and it's illegal to clean them off! Don't ask me which types though, as I haven't a clue got told by the local green save planet earth man,lol

« **Reply #29 on:** August 01, 2009, 09:37:35 pm »

Hi

How about Microsan?

It is a Biocide, Fungacide, Insectacide and a virucide. it smells ok and may get rid of what you need to do?

Regards

Martin

« **Reply #30 on:** August 03, 2009, 01:57:30 pm »

have seen a good few vans knocking round lately with graves on. think its the new trend to have your grave cleaned. a guy by me has the whole cemetry on his books like a contract for vandalism and regular cleans. he charged 10 quid a grave he said but there are thousands in a cemetry. you could get 30 done a day he said for 300 quid!!

« **Reply #31 on:** August 03, 2009, 04:19:43 pm »

This seems an interesting topic and I wondered if the Motor Scrubber might help out?

It's a battery powered machine so is fully portable and could be used for scrubbing headstones etc. I don't know how effective it might be as I have never tried, but it might be worth considering?

We sell them all-in for around £700 including full accessory sets.

The US website is packed with info, take a look at http://www.readingconsumerproduct.com/

We are based in Hertfordshire. If anyone wants to try one out we have a demonstrator, so would be happy to pop along and see if it actually works.

Cheers,
Simon

Industrial Floorcare Machines (UK)

« **Reply #32 on:** August 05, 2009, 08:59:47 pm »

Quote from: simoncollins on August 03, 2009, 04:19:43 pm

This seems an interesting topic and I wondered if the Motor Scrubber might help out?

It's a battery powered machine so is fully portable and could be used for scrubbing headstones etc. I don't know how effective it might be as I have never tried, but it might be worth considering?

We sell them all-in for around £700 including full accessory sets.

The US website is packed with info, take a look at http://www.readingconsumerproduct.com/

We are based in Hertfordshire. If anyone wants to try one out we have a demonstrator, so would be happy to pop along and see if it actually works.

Cheers,
Simon

Industrial Floorcare Machines (UK)

For a minute then,i thought i tuned in to the shopping channel,£700 for that,24v strimmer with a brush on the end

« **Reply #33 on:** August 05, 2009, 11:12:43 pm »

£700?

How about one for £70?

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Black-Decker-GPC900-cordless-18v-scrubber-brand-new_W0QQitemZ260458378890QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM?hash=item3ca487768a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

« **Reply #34 on:** August 06, 2009, 02:45:35 pm »

And that one is 18v

,some how dont think i'd have the guts turning up on a job with one of those

« **Reply #35 on:** August 06, 2009, 03:43:32 pm »

my mate is a stonemason.......his advice is "dont even think about it unless you know what kind of stone it is, once you have determined the type/grade etc then you must gain advice on best cleaning method"

his advice is to consult a stonemason of all things......imagine that....business must be bad, he is touting for new work on cleaning forums......commision led by me of course.

what i couldnt believe is the price these guys charge....he earns a whopping 100-200 quid, PER HOUR.......i am in the wrong job.

« **Reply #36 on:** August 07, 2009, 09:13:34 am »

its a cause of grave concern this post, as all the other posters seemed to have died since last night....but dont worry too much, i will make sure the headstones are cleaned regularly with fairy liquid