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A headstone can mark a loved one’s resting place for generations, and many families understandably want it to remain cared for as time passes. However, years outdoors can gradually leave their mark. Dark patches may appear, green discolouration can spread and details that were once clear can become harder to see beneath accumulated deposits.
The Patio Black Spot Removal Company offers gravestone cleaning throughout West Sussex for families who would like experienced help caring for a memorial. From churchyards in smaller communities to cemeteries serving larger towns, we provide a dedicated headstone cleaning option when ordinary upkeep is no longer achieving the desired result.
Our aim is not to make unrealistic promises about older stone. Instead, we use our knowledge and purpose developed cleaning system to improve its appearance while taking account of the headstone we are working with.
If a family memorial needs a more thorough clean, get in touch and let us know where it is situated. We can discuss what is involved, work out the cost and arrange a convenient date. Call 0800 500 3032 or email info@pbsr.co.uk to talk to us.
Changes to a headstone are often so gradual that they are difficult to notice from one visit to the next. After several years, however, the difference can become much clearer.
Green algae can develop where dampness remains on the surface, creating patches of visible discolouration. Lichen behaves differently, attaching itself more firmly and becoming increasingly stubborn with time. Everyday grime, leaves and material from nearby plants can also settle on the headstone and affect its appearance.
How quickly these changes occur depends greatly on where the grave is positioned. Tree cover, sunlight, rainfall and the length of time the surface remains wet can all play a part. A sheltered churchyard near Horsham, for example, will not necessarily present the same challenges as a more open burial ground elsewhere in West Sussex.
For this reason, simply brushing harder or reaching for a powerful washer is not always the answer. It is important to understand what is actually present on the surface first.
Our guide to black lichen and black spots on exterior stone explains more about this particularly persistent problem.
There is no fixed age at which a headstone needs deeper cleaning. Some remain relatively easy for families to look after, while others become noticeably marked much sooner.
You may consider bringing in our team if green discolouration keeps returning, dark lichen has become difficult to shift or routine wiping is making little difference. You might also have concerns about an older inscription, decorative detail or unfamiliar stone and prefer not to experiment with different household products.
For some relatives, the work involved has simply become too demanding to undertake during cemetery visits.
Whatever the reason, our role is to provide another option when you would rather leave the job to people familiar with this type of stone care.
The cleaner used by our team was not chosen from a range of ordinary exterior products. We developed Stone King Gravestone Cleaner specifically with gravestones, memorials and ornamental stone in mind.
Its biodegradable formulation is designed to work against green algae, grime and persistent deposits without abrasive scrubbing. It also reduces the need to depend on forceful pressure washing when dealing with difficult marks.
Stone King grew out of our wider experience working with exterior surfaces and the challenges that can arise when lichen and other deposits have been left for extended periods.
That background means the people carrying out the work are familiar with the cleaner being used and understand how it forms part of the overall process.
Memorials are produced from many materials, and there is no need for you to identify yours before making contact.
We work with:
We also look at the details incorporated into the memorial. If an inscription contains lead, those sections are shielded so the cleaner cannot reach them.
Before we agree the work, we need one photograph showing the front of the headstone and another showing the back. Please also tell us which cemetery or churchyard the grave is in and provide enough directions for us to find it.
If identifying the grave remotely would be difficult, you can meet us there instead.
Formal permission is not normally necessary, although we recommend checking what is happening at the burial ground on the proposed date. This avoids our visit overlapping with a funeral, wedding or another important occasion.
With the necessary details in place, we can calculate the quotation and arrange the visit.
After finding the correct grave, we make sure there is enough room around the headstone to carry out the work. Flowers, tributes or ornaments that are in the way can be carefully placed aside for the duration of the clean.
The standard price relates to the headstone itself. Before starting, we check the surface and deal with any areas that need additional protection. The cleaning solution is then distributed across the relevant sections and left for the required period before being washed away thoroughly.
Once finished, we inspect the headstone and return any items that were moved. The improvement possible will vary from one memorial to another. Years of exposure, the type of stone and the severity of the marks can all influence the finished appearance.
before
after
The person arranging the work may live nowhere near the grave. A parent, grandparent, partner or another relative could have been laid to rest in West Sussex while family members have since moved elsewhere in Britain or abroad.
If we can confidently find the headstone from the information supplied, you do not need to make the journey yourself.
We photograph the memorial before starting and again when the work is finished. Copies are available on request, allowing you to see the result and pass the images on to other members of the family.
Cleaning the headstone costs £450 including VAT, plus £0.50 per mile for the full return journey from GU10 2DZ.
The £450 charge applies to the headstone, rather than additional structures or stonework around the grave. The mileage element will depend on the destination, and the complete figure is confirmed before the booking goes ahead.
Should we reach the site and decide that proceeding would not be advisable, no work will be undertaken and any deposit already paid will be returned.
Once the headstone has received a comprehensive clean, there should generally be no need to book the same work again the following year.
Patio Black Spot Preventer provides a simpler way to manage future build up. Applying it annually can help stop lichen taking hold again and remove fresh green algae. It does not require pressure washing, and visible green staining normally clears within around three to five days.
Another full clean can be arranged later if wanted. For many families, this may be something to consider after approximately three to five years, depending on how the headstone changes.
Our guide to removing green algae from exterior stone contains further information about managing this common issue.
If you regularly visit the grave and would rather take care of the cleaning personally, Stone King Gravestone Cleaner is available to order from our website.
Follow the instructions supplied with the product carefully. For self application, it is generally left for approximately one hour before being rinsed away completely using clean water. Where marks have been present for a long time, a further application may sometimes be required.
You can order Stone King Gravestone Cleaner online if maintaining the headstone yourself is more suitable for your circumstances.
Our background in exterior surface care gives us practical experience of the problems that can develop on headstones over time. We combine that knowledge with our own gravestone cleaning system, a considered way of working and clear information about what is included before you book.
The aim is to make arranging the work simple while giving the memorial the attention it requires.
We travel to cemeteries and churchyards throughout West Sussex, including those serving:
If the burial ground you need us to visit is not shown above, please contact us with its location. We may still be able to arrange the work.
If you would like us to care for a headstone in West Sussex, call 0800 500 3032 or email info@pbsr.co.uk. Tell us where the memorial is located and we can discuss the next steps with you.
Can You Clean a Headstone That Has Been Outside for Decades?
Yes. Age alone does not prevent a headstone from being cleaned, although its material, state and the extent of any deposits will affect the result.
Removing surface deposits may make the inscription clearer, but cleaning cannot replace lettering that has physically worn or eroded over time.
No. The £450 including VAT standard charge relates to the headstone itself.
Annual use of Patio Black Spot Preventer can help manage new algae and discourage lichen from returning between more comprehensive cleans.
Get in touch today and we’ll reply promptly with a free patio cleaning quote – no pressure, just great service and results.
