Headstone Cleaning at Mapleton City Cemetery

Mapleton sits in a microclimate influenced by both Hobble Creek and the Wasatch foothills. The resulting moisture and shade create ideal conditions for lichen and algae to take hold. Shaded markers in this area develop lichen colonies quickly — biological growth penetrates porous granite and especially older marble or concrete markers within a few seasons if unchecked.

Freeze-thaw cycles each winter compound the damage. As temperatures drop, water trapped in micro-cracks expands, pushing lichen deeper into the stone and widening existing fractures. Organic acids produced by lichen accelerate spalling — a gradual flaking of the stone surface that becomes irreversible if the growth is allowed to persist for years.

Older marble and concrete markers common in Mapleton City Cemetery are particularly vulnerable. Marble's softer surface etches easily when exposed to biological acids; concrete markers from the early and mid-twentieth century are porous enough to absorb staining deeply. DIY attempts with wire brushes or household bleach often cause irreversible etching — permanent surface damage that no amount of future cleaning can undo.

Professional cleaning with D/2 Biological Solution — the method endorsed by the National Park Service and leading preservation organizations — eliminates biological growth safely without harming the stone surface.

We serve Mapleton City Cemetery directly — families in Elk Ridge and Benjamin are also welcome to book. We coordinate with the cemetery and go directly to the marker; you don't need to be present or make any arrangements on your end.

Every job begins with a full photographic assessment of the marker's condition before we touch it. We pre-wet the stone with clean water, then apply D/2 Biological Solution and gently work it into the surface using soft, natural-bristle brushes — never wire, never synthetic, never pressure washing. The solution dwells on the stone, breaking down lichen, algae, and biological staining at the root.

We rinse thoroughly with clean water and photograph the finished result. Most on-site visits take 1–2 hours depending on the stone's condition and size. Within a day or two you'll receive before-and-after photos by email — a clear record of the restoration, wherever you happen to be.

All services include before-and-after photos delivered to your email inbox.

• Standard Headstone Cleaning — $99 Ideal for lightly to moderately soiled markers. Covers the full stone face, sides, and base using our standard D/2 treatment process.
• Deep Restoration Cleaning — $169 For heavily weathered stones with significant lichen coverage, deep biological staining, or markers that haven't been cleaned in many years. Includes extended dwell time and additional treatment passes.
• Annual Care Plan — $149/year We visit twice a year — once in spring, once in fall — to keep the marker clean year-round and prevent biological growth from taking hold. The most cost-effective way to maintain a memorial long-term.