March 11, 2022
Harsh weather conditions can have a detrimental effect on a memorial or a headstone; hence, proper headstone maintenance and headstone cleaning at least twice a year is crucial.
Many people shy away from getting headstone maintenance services since they believe that the headstone will have to be uninstalled and taken to a maintenance facility. However, that is not the case. At Summit Memorials, we provide in-cemetery cleaning as well. This means, during maintenance, the resting place of your loved one will not be affected.
Winter weather over time can take a toll on a monument, whether they are made of granite, bronze or other materials. All the dust and debris resting on the monument sticks to the stone due to the moisture in the atmosphere. Sometimes, this makes it look like the monument is fading and the lettering is ageing. Cold temperatures, snow, and rain are just a few harsh winter conditions that monuments undergo.
However, if you want to preserve the look of the headstone that marks your loved one’s resting place, you can do so with a bit of preparation before winter hits. Following these tips will ensure that the headstone looks clean and maintained even after the winter snow melts away.
It is important that you keep the headstone clean and that there is no dust or debris on the stone. Otherwise, as mentioned, due to rain and snow, the dust and debris will stick to the stone.
By keeping the monument clean, you help keep it looking as good as new throughout the season. Washing the monument once or twice a year with clean water, dish soap, and a soft microfiber cloth will go a long way. However, to make sure that you are not doing something that will damage the integrity of the headstone, it is better to hire a professional.
It would seem like using a sealant would be a good idea to protect the monument from the winter weather but these could do more harm than good. Sealants actually lock in the minerals and moisture inside the stone, preventing it from breathing. Studies show that this affects the structural integrity of any rock and causes it to deteriorate faster.
If you do want to use a sealant, consult with a memorial company to see which product would be advised to use on the monument. If you have to make sure that the monument stays in good condition, it’s best to hire professional headstone maintenance services.
The best way to maintain your monument is by making any repairs right away. If there are any cracks, chips or flaws in the stone, repair them before winter. During winter, water will seep into these cracks and as temperatures reach below zero, the water will freeze and expand, making the cracks worse.
Also, performing the required maintenance before the winter months will help preserve the structural integrity of the granite. However, it is advised that you don’t perform any monument restoration tasks on your own. We suggest contacting a monument company to do any repairs.
Let us help you honour your loved ones in the best way possible. Our specially trained staff tries to make the toughest time of your life a little bit easier by providing high-quality memorial services and products. The headstones that our craftsmen build are the best in the business. The granite headstones we provide in Alberta and Saskatchewan are guaranteed to never wear out or crack due to normal elements and weather conditions.
At Summit Memorials, we provide our customers with premium quality and well-crafted monuments, headstones, tombstones, and grave markers. For more information about our services, visit our website or contact us here today.
