Headstone Cleaning & Renovation in Cork
Professional memorial cleaning, restoration and inscription work carried out with care and generations of stone expertise.
Why Memorials Need Maintenance
Due to our climate and weather conditions here in Ireland, memorials will age over time. The most common type of aging is discolouration, lichen build-up and faded lettering. The level of aging will be determined by the type of stone used and the location of the memorial and its exposure to the elements.
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Our Cleaning & Renovation Services
Additional inscriptions
We can add new inscriptions to existing memorials, carefully matched to the original style where possible.
Re-lettering
We restore faded inscriptions with painted or gold-leaf lettering to improve clarity and appearance.
Lichen & Dirt Removal
We remove built-up dirt, staining and organic growth using methods suited to the stone and its condition.
Re-flooring & Fresh Chippings
We can tidy and refresh the area around a memorial with new chippings and improved base presentation.
Specialist Stone Cleaning Methods
While non-destructive methods of cleaning are preferred for stone cleaning (as would be the case in the US and continental Europe), this is not generally possible in Ireland due to the aging caused by our climate. While most granite can be cleaned using detergents, the cleaning of limestone and marble usually necessitates the removal of the aged layer of stone to reveal undamaged stone underneath, either by sanding/using a wire brush, power washing or sand-blasting. Sometimes chemical based cleaners can be used, but it is important the cleaner is carefully selected and does not react with the minerals in stone causing premature ageing.
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Our cleaning techniques here at Hickeys in Ovens have been refined using various techniques through generations, as well as taking on board international experience and recommendations. We can renovate a monument to a customer’s specification using either non-destructive or destructive cleaning methods, depending on the final finish required.
