Pine Sap Pitch
Conroe is in the Piney Woods. Trees drip sap.
This sap lands on the granite and hardens. It turns into a hard, sticky bead. Dirt sticks to it. Scraping it scratches the polish. Water does not work on it. We use solvents to dissolve the pitch. Then we wipe the stone clean.
Sandy Loam Washout
The soil is loose sand. It shifts easily.
Rain washes the dirt out from under the concrete. The monument loses support and tips over. Adding dirt is a waste; it washes right out again. For permanent tombstone repair and restoration, we pack the hole with angular gravel. This locks the base in place.
Red Iron Clay
The dirt here is red and sandy. It has high iron content.
Rain splashes this dirt onto the base. It rusts the stone. It leaves orange stains. Soap won't clean it. We use chemical poultices for cleaning stone gravestones. They pull the iron stain out of the rock.
Lake Humidity Mold
Lake Conroe keeps the air wet. Tall trees block the wind.
Green algae and black mold grow fast in the shade. They hide the lettering. Pressure washing damages the stone. We use a biocide soak. It kills the roots so the growth falls off.
Pine Pollen Paste
In spring, pine pollen covers everything. It is heavy yellow dust.
Dew turns this dust into a paste. If it dries, it sets hard. It stains porous stone yellow. We use grave site cleaning services to wash this layer off before it sets.
