The Ins And Outs Of Headstone Maintenance Service Kansas Families Should Know

By Timothy Foster


Sometimes a Kansas gravestone is the only physical reminder families have of loved ones who have passed. When this is the case, it is more important than ever to ensure the longevity of the tribute. It often falls on a family member to maintain the gravestone. Other times families live out of the area and call on a headstone maintenance service Kansas natives recommend to do the job for them.

Gravestones can be created out of all kinds of materials, but there some that are more common than others. Maintaining and cleaning the stone depends on the material. Granite, for instance, is so durable and impervious to the elements that cleaning it is fairly routine. Water mixed with an non-ionic cleaner is the best method. Periodically the stone needs to be examined for stains and scratches.

Bronze is just as resilient as granite and about as easy to maintain. It is more expensive however. This is an alloy made up of several elements. The bronze you choose could have nickel, copper, tin, and aluminum in it. It's been used for thousands of years. Bronze is still popular today. It must be maintained to keep it in pristine condition.

Plaques are put on gravestones as informational and decorative elements or used as stand alone markers. However they are used, most are made of porcelain ceramic and covered with a glaze that protects them from the elements. To remove any dirt, dust, or stains, detergent mixed with water gently rubbed on them is usually sufficient to clean them. They should not be scrubbed with steel wool or cleaned with bleach or ammonia that can compromise the protective glaze.

If the gravestone you are having maintained is located in an area of the country that experiences freezing weather, you have an added challenge. When the ground freezes below the stone's foundation, it can cause sinking or tilting. Old monuments are often sealed with lead which can become brittle and make a stone move. You need services that includes straightening and leveling gravestones.

Not only can stones move, tilt, and sink, left unattended they can also fall completely over. Sometimes the soil around the gravestone erodes. When this happens the rock may crack leaving it unbalanced. Eventually it's going to fall. A good service will watch out for this, fill in where soil has eroded, and inspect the stone regularly for signs of cracking.

Most services offer more than cleaning and maintenance. They will edge and trim around the monument and have the resources to raise and align stones if necessary. Some services are capable of completely replacing gravestones that are so compromised they cannot be repaired. You can usually request that they place new flowers and remove old ones on a regular basis. The cost for basic services is fairly minimal.

Gravestones are a permanent way to remember and honor those who have gone on. The monument you choose may not be large or have detailed inscriptions on it. The simplest markers denoting names and birth and death dates are just as significant to the family members. It's important to maintain their integrity.




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