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When a loved one’s headstone has been exposed to the elements for many years, algae, lichen and organic staining can gradually change the appearance of the stone. For families who want the memorial carefully maintained, knowing how to clean it appropriately is not always straightforward.
At The Patio Black Spot Removal Company, we provide professional gravestone cleaning across Berkshire, helping families care for memorials in Reading, Windsor, Maidenhead, Newbury and surrounding areas. Our experience with outdoor stone allows us to assess the individual headstone and use a specialist treatment to remove unwanted growth without relying on unnecessarily harsh cleaning methods.
Whether the memorial has become heavily weathered or simply needs professional attention, our team can help.
If a loved one’s headstone in Berkshire needs professional cleaning, speak to our team about the memorial and its location. We can explain the service, provide a personalised quotation and arrange a suitable visit. Call 0800 500 3032 or email info@pbsr.co.uk to get started.
Memorial stone remains outdoors throughout the year, leaving it exposed to rainfall, moisture, shade and changing temperatures. Over time, these conditions can encourage green algae and lichen to develop, while dirt and other organic matter can contribute to further discolouration.
The condition of each headstone will vary according to its age, material and surroundings. A memorial positioned beneath mature trees, for example, may remain shaded and damp for longer than one in a more open part of a cemetery.
Once lichen and other growth become established, simply applying more pressure is not necessarily the best solution. Memorial stone should be treated with consideration for its condition and individual features.
You can learn more about one particularly persistent form of growth in our guide to how black lichen develops on outdoor stone.
Cleaning a headstone yourself can be difficult when you are unsure about the stone or which methods are suitable.
Older memorials may have inscriptions and other details requiring careful treatment, while aggressive scrubbing or unsuitable products can introduce unnecessary risks. Carrying out the work can also be physically demanding.
Our professional service removes much of this uncertainty. We assess the memorial before cleaning and use our experience with outdoor stone to determine an appropriate approach.
Our experience in stone cleaning led us to develop Stone King Gravestone Cleaner, a specialist treatment formulated for gravestones, memorials and ornamental stone.
Stone King is designed to tackle algae, dirt, grime and stubborn organic staining. It is biodegradable, does not require abrasive scrubbing and reduces the need for aggressive pressure washing.
Because our own team developed the specialist product used within the service, we understand both the treatment and the surfaces it has been designed for. This gives families a professional cleaning option built around a purpose developed gravestone treatment rather than a general exterior cleaner.
We can clean a wide range of memorial surfaces, including:
You do not need to identify the material yourself before contacting us. We can consider this when reviewing the memorial.
Where lead lettering is present, the relevant areas are carefully protected so the cleaning treatment does not come into contact with the lead.
To assess the memorial, we need a clear photograph of the front and back of the headstone, together with the cemetery or churchyard location and enough information to locate the correct grave.
You can also arrange to meet our team at the site if you would prefer to show us the memorial personally.
Formal permission is not normally required, although we recommend checking with the church or cemetery beforehand to ensure our visit does not coincide with a wedding, funeral or another important event.
Once we have reviewed the details, we can confirm your quotation and arrange the professional cleaning visit.
When we arrive at the cemetery or churchyard, we locate the memorial and prepare it for cleaning. Flowers, ornaments and other movable items are temporarily moved where necessary to provide suitable access to the stone.
The standard service covers the headstone itself. After assessing its condition and protecting any sensitive features, we apply our specialist treatment and allow it time to work on established algae, lichen and organic staining. The memorial is then thoroughly rinsed and the finished surface reviewed.
Results naturally vary between headstones. Age, material, location and the extent of the staining can all influence how the stone responds to treatment, so our approach is based on the individual memorial rather than applying excessive pressure.
Before
After
You can arrange for a loved one’s headstone to be cleaned even if you no longer live in Berkshire. Families often move while relatives remain buried in the communities where they once lived, making regular visits difficult.
Provided we have enough information to locate the correct grave, you do not need to attend the appointment. Our team can complete the agreed work independently.
We also take photographs before and after cleaning. Copies can be provided on request, allowing you and other family members to see the memorial following our visit.
Our professional service costs £450 including VAT, plus £0.50 per mile for the complete round trip from GU10 2DZ.
The standard £450 charge covers cleaning the headstone itself, with mileage calculated separately according to the location of the cemetery or churchyard. Your individual cost will be confirmed before the visit.
If we arrive and determine that the memorial is unsuitable for treatment, we will not proceed with the cleaning and any deposit paid will be returned.
A professional clean does not normally need to be repeated every year. Instead, ongoing maintenance can help control new organic growth.
Our Patio Black Spot Preventer can be applied annually to help prevent lichen returning and remove green algae without pressure washing. Green algae will generally disappear within approximately three to five days following application.
Depending on its surroundings and condition, another professional clean may be considered after approximately three to five years.
You can find more information in our guide to removing green algae from outdoor stone.
If you regularly visit the grave and would rather undertake the cleaning personally, you can purchase Stone King Gravestone Cleaner directly from our website.
Follow the complete instructions supplied with the product. Stone King is generally allowed approximately one hour to work before the surface is thoroughly rinsed with clean water. More heavily weathered memorials may require a further application.
You can buy Stone King Gravestone Cleaner online, providing another option for maintaining a loved one’s memorial between visits.
Families choose The Patio Black Spot Removal Company for our combination of specialist stone knowledge and a clear, considered approach.
We provide professional gravestone and headstone cleaning across Berkshire, including:
If the cemetery or churchyard you need us to visit is elsewhere in Berkshire or the surrounding area, please contact us as we may still be able to help.
If you would like professional help caring for a loved one’s headstone in Berkshire, contact our team to discuss the memorial and its location. Call 0800 500 3032 or email info@pbsr.co.uk and we can explain the next steps.
Yes. Older memorials can be treated, although results will depend on the material, condition and extent of the staining.
Movable items are temporarily moved where necessary to give us access to the headstone and can be returned after cleaning.
No. If we have sufficient information to locate the correct grave, you do not need to attend.
No. The standard £450 including VAT service covers the professional cleaning of the headstone itself.
Get in touch today and we’ll reply promptly with a free patio cleaning quote – no pressure, just great service and results.
