While headstones are made of very durable materials and are meant to last a long time, they do eventually get some wear and tear and can break or crumble. To preserve this memorial to your loved one, it is a good idea to look after the headstones semi-regularly. Once the damage becomes severe enough, it’s time to look into headstone restoration. You can hire a professional to do this or you can do the restoration yourself. Let’s have a look at what each would entail.

DIY (Do it Yourself)

While not every headstone can be restored by DIY methods, you do have the ability to extend the life of a headstone by performing simple maintenance yourself. All you’ll need is a stone-specific cleaner, a bucket, some microfiber cloths, a bristle brush, and a little bit of time. Cleaning the stone regularly reduces the amount of damage the stone will acquire after exposure to weather and debris. It is important to note that you shouldn’t do any self-cleaning if there are cracks or holes in the stone, as this can actually cause further damage later on. Simple cleaning will help restore the appearance of the headstone, but it can’t fix big damage. When there is restoration work that needs to be done that requires more than a brush and a bucket, it’s time to call in the professionals.

Use a Professional

There are a few situations where professional help is needed to restore a headstone. Resetting is one of these instances. Over time, even the heaviest headstones can shift due to changes in the ground, inclement weather, and even vandalism, as sad as that is. Although you may try to reset the stone yourself, it is best to let a professional do it to avoid injury or damage to the stone. Heavy-duty cleaning jobs are also best left to professional companies, as they have plenty of experience and know exactly which processes and cleaners to use to get the best appearance without causing even minor damage to the stone.

For more information about headstones and memorials, click here.