The Dust Problem in the Southeast Valley
Gilbert grew from hay fields to suburbs fast, but the dust never left. In this part of the valley, fine agricultural grit hangs in the air. It settles on everything. If you run your hand over a headstone here, it often feels rough and gritty. That isn't just surface dirt; it is erosion happening in real-time. This dust grinds into the polish every time the wind blows. Tending provides specialized grave site cleaning services to lift this particulate matter out of the stone's pores before it permanently dulls the finish.
Thermal Shock: When Stone Gets "Tired"
Granite is tough, but 115-degree days push it to the limit. The stone swells in the sun and shrinks at night. This cycle pops the seals between the tablet and the base. We call it "thermal walking"—where the stone actually shifts on its foundation.
If you are looking for headstone cleaning services near me because a memorial looks crooked or has a gap at the bottom, that is likely the cause. Our tombstone repair and restoration process includes checking these joints and re-sealing them with flexible, high-heat compounds that move with the stone instead of snapping.
Hard Water vs. Polished Stone
To keep the cemeteries green in this heat, parks use heavy irrigation. When that hard water hits hot stone, it sizzles and dries instantly, leaving behind white streaks of calcium (Caliche). It bonds to the surface like cement. Scrubbing it with a wire brush ruins the stone face. We use professional cleaning stone gravestones techniques to chemically soften and rinse away these deposits, restoring the natural color without abrasion.