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A loved one’s headstone is an important memorial, but years of exposure to rain, moisture and changing weather can gradually affect its appearance. Lichen, green algae, dirt and other organic growth can build up across the stone, particularly in shaded areas or where surrounding trees and vegetation create damp conditions.
At The Patio Black Spot Removal Company, we provide professional gravestone cleaning in Surrey for families who would like a loved one’s headstone carefully cleaned by an experienced team. Based near Farnham, we specialise in outdoor stone cleaning and have developed a dedicated treatment for gravestones, memorials and ornamental stone.
Our approach is designed to clean the headstone carefully while taking account of the individual stone, its condition and any features that may require additional attention.
If you would like a loved one’s headstone professionally cleaned in Surrey, contact our team to discuss the memorial and its location. We can explain the service, provide a personalised quotation and arrange a suitable visit. Call us on 0800 500 3032 or email support@pbsr.co.uk to get started.
A headstone remains outdoors throughout every season, so some weathering is inevitable. The extent of staining can depend on the material, age and position of the memorial, as well as how much sunlight, shade and moisture it receives.
Many churchyards and cemeteries across Surrey are leafy environments surrounded by grass, mature trees and other vegetation. Where stone remains shaded or damp for extended periods, green algae can spread across the surface and lichen can gradually become established.
Lichen can be particularly persistent on porous stone, while general dirt and organic matter can contribute further to discolouration. This is why aggressive scrubbing or excessive pressure is not necessarily the right way to approach a weathered memorial. The type of growth and the stone beneath it both need to be considered.
You can learn more about one of the most persistent types of organic growth in our guide to what causes black spots on outdoor stone.
Some families prefer to clean a loved one’s headstone themselves, while others feel more comfortable leaving the work to someone with experience of cleaning outdoor stone.
You may be unsure which products are suitable for the memorial or concerned about damaging an older surface, inscription or other feature. Cleaning can also be physically demanding, particularly when organic growth has become established over a number of years.
Our professional headstone cleaning service in Surrey provides a straightforward alternative. We assess the memorial before treatment and use a cleaning process appropriate for the stone rather than treating every headstone in exactly the same way.
Our professional cleaning service uses Stone King Gravestone Cleaner, our specialist product developed specifically for gravestones, memorials and ornamental stone.
Stone King is designed to tackle algae, dirt, grime and stubborn organic staining. It does not require abrasive scrubbing and reduces the need to rely on aggressive pressure washing when cleaning the stone.
The treatment is biodegradable and was developed using our wider experience and knowledge of outdoor stone cleaning.
This gives our service an important point of difference. The same company carrying out the professional cleaning has developed the specialist product used for the work, giving our team a detailed understanding of both the treatment and its application.
Our team can clean a wide variety of memorial stone, including:
You do not need to know what material the headstone is made from before contacting us. We can consider this when reviewing the memorial.
We also take account of individual features. Where lead lettering is present, for example, it is carefully covered and protected to prevent the cleaning treatment from coming into contact with the lead.
To assess the headstone, we ask you to provide a clear photograph of both the front and back of the memorial. We will also need the name and location of the cemetery or churchyard, along with directions or enough information for our team to locate the correct grave.
Alternatively, if you would prefer, you can arrange to meet us at the site and show us where the memorial is located.
Formal permission to clean the headstone is not normally required. However, we recommend checking with the church or relevant site before the planned visit to make sure a wedding, funeral or another important event is not taking place at the time.
Once we have the information required, we can review the memorial, calculate your quotation and arrange the visit.
When our team arrives, we first prepare the headstone and immediate area. Flowers, ornaments and other movable items are temporarily moved where necessary so that we can access the memorial properly.
The standard service covers the headstone itself. Its condition and individual features are considered before sensitive areas are protected and our specialist cleaning treatment is applied.
The treatment is allowed sufficient time to work on the algae, lichen, dirt and organic staining before the headstone is thoroughly rinsed. Our aim is to carefully remove unwanted growth and reveal more of the stone’s natural appearance beneath.
Every memorial is different, so results will depend on factors such as its age, material, surroundings and how established the staining has become. Our approach is based on treating each headstone appropriately rather than using unnecessarily aggressive cleaning methods.
Before
After
Yes. You can arrange for us to clean a loved one’s headstone even if you live elsewhere in the UK or overseas.
Provided we have sufficient information to identify and locate the correct grave, you do not need to attend the appointment. Our team can visit the cemetery or churchyard independently and carry out the agreed work.
We take photographs before and after cleaning, and copies can be provided on request. This allows you to see how the memorial looks following the visit and share the photographs with other relatives if you wish.
If you would prefer to attend in person, you are also welcome to meet our team at the grave.
Our professional gravestone cleaning service costs £450 including VAT, plus £0.50 per mile for the complete round trip from our office at GU10 2DZ.
The standard £450 price covers the professional cleaning of the headstone itself. Travel is calculated separately according to the full return journey, and we will confirm your individual quotation before arranging the visit.
In the unlikely event that we arrive and determine that the memorial is unsuitable for treatment, we will not proceed. Any deposit paid will be returned to you.
A full professional clean is not normally required every year. Once the headstone has been treated, preventative maintenance can help reduce the opportunity for algae and lichen to become established again.
Our Patio Black Spot Preventer can be applied annually to help prevent lichen returning and remove green algae. There is no need to pressure wash after application, and green algae will generally disappear within approximately three to five days.
Depending on the memorial, its location and how it weathers, you may choose to arrange another professional clean approximately every three to five years.
For more information about this type of organic growth, read our guide to removing green algae from outdoor stone.
If you would prefer to care for the memorial personally, you can purchase the same specialist product used as part of our professional service.
Stone King Gravestone Cleaner is available directly from our website for customers who want to clean a gravestone themselves.
For DIY use, apply the product according to the instructions and allow approximately one hour for it to work before rinsing the stone thoroughly with clean water. Older or more heavily weathered memorials may require another application.
Always read and follow the complete instructions before use and ensure any lead lettering is appropriately protected.
You can buy Stone King Gravestone Cleaner online, or contact our team if you would prefer us to carry out the professional cleaning for you.
Choosing someone to care for a loved one’s memorial requires trust. Our service combines specialist knowledge with a straightforward process designed to treat the individual headstone appropriately.
Based near Farnham, we provide professional gravestone and headstone cleaning across Surrey and surrounding areas, including:
If the cemetery or churchyard you need us to visit is not listed above, please get in touch. We cover a wide area and may still be able to help.
If you would like to arrange professional gravestone cleaning in Surrey, contact our team to discuss the memorial, its location and the cost of the service. We will explain the next steps and arrange a suitable visit. Call us on 0800 500 3032 or email support@pbsr.co.uk to get started.
Do I Need Permission From the Cemetery or Churchyard?
Formal permission is not normally required. However, we recommend checking with the church or relevant site beforehand to make sure our planned visit does not clash with a funeral, wedding or another important event.
Do I Need to Attend the Appointment?
No. If we have sufficient information to identify and locate the correct grave, our team can carry out the work without you being present.
Can You Provide Photographs After Cleaning?
Yes. We take before and after photographs of the headstone and can provide copies on request.
Does the £450 Price Include the Whole Grave?
No. The standard £450 including VAT service covers the professional cleaning of the headstone itself. Travel is charged separately at £0.50 per mile for the complete round trip from GU10 2DZ.
Get in touch today and we’ll reply promptly with a free gravestone cleaning quote – no pressure, just great service and results.
