Cleaning Lichen Off Granite Gravestones

It doesn t look very pretty and it makes it difficult to read.

Cleaning lichen off granite gravestones.

Follow the directions on your cleanser. This article describes and provide photographs and advice on identifying cleaning and preventing lichens growth on stone surfaces such as buildings cultural artifacts statues gravestones sidewalks stone walls and pictographs. The front of the granite stone is smooth and the sides and top of the headstone are rough cut. I need advice on how to remove the lichen and if possible prevent it from growing back.

Stains on marble gravestones caused by fungus moss lichen or mildew can be removed by following these 4 simple steps. Power washers or sprayers can severely damage a headstone. While this article focuses on cleaning granite headstones. It is important to avoid haphazardly removing lichen or algae that is embedded in the rock.

Wait 15 minutes and spray the surface again. Once they are wet gently begin wiping down the surface of the stone. They can break off pieces of the monument remove the. Box 13 598 onehunga auckland new zealand that is said to be a fast acting and effective concentrated product designed to remove all lichens moss and fungal growth from most surfaces.

Lichens growth cleaning prevention on stone surfaces. Scrape the dried poultice off the granite headstone with a soft bristled brush or your hand. Make or buy a cleaning solution. This second spray will work the product into the second layer of the lichen.

Mix it with the proper ratio of water. Hard dark stone such as granite and cast metal markers grow surprisingly hot due to direct sunlight and or higher temperatures which can result in the rapid evaporation of the water you ll need for basic cleaning. The graves look much. Recently i met with family members to clean the granite gravestones of our ancestors we scraped off surface mold and scrubbed with stiff brushes and anti mildew detergent.

Therefore you should not try to clean a headstone marker or memorial on a very hot or very cold day. Clean a granite headstone. A note about removing lichen. To remove lichen saturate the surface with wet forget.

My husband s grandmother s headstone is covered in lichen. Dampen your sponges in your bucket of water. There is a new product bio lichen off produced by sunnz international ltd p o. Doing so may cause large pieces of rock to become dislodged.

As you can see in the photos there is a large honeysuckle shrub planted behind her. Once you have checked out the stone you are ready to start actually cleaning. Lichen is one of the more challenging growths to clean from memorial stones. To make the cleaning solution mix approximately one cup of pure ammonia with one gallon of water.

Always work from the bottom towards the top when cleaning a gravestone to prevent dark streaks.