Hey moms, i need some help. 7 years ago i lost my husband. at the cemetary where he was layed to rest i spent alot of money and got a beautiful marble/ stone bench to place at his headstone. well it looks like its "weathering". There are what i would explain as "water marks" on it and its starting to look really discolored. I dont want to do anything that would mess it up, but i am not happy with the way it looks. Do any of you moms know of a product that i can get to either polish it, or fix it??? I've left a message at the cemetary to find out what they think. When i checked out the other benches there... they were not discolored like my husbands is. I am wondering if it could have something to do with the sprinkler system. The sprinklers are right by his bench and are always getting it wet. any suggestions on what i should do??????? i spent alot of money on this bench, and 7 years just doesnt seem like that long for it to already look the way that it does!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who did you pay to have this bench and headstone made? Call them, call the cemetery 2-3 times per week and don't go polish it yourself. You paid someone to create this tribute and they must be responsible for repairing it. Good luck and condolences.
Is it marble or granite? You can clean granite with soapy water and polish the surface with windex or something like that. Sorry--I know it must be upsetting. The cemetery should be able to provide the service or direct you to a near-by monument dealer that can do it for you.
This is where the after care customer service aspect of the cemetery will shine--or fail miserably. Good luck and remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!
I hope you hear back from the cemetery people. Another option might be to call a company that makes gravestones. Tell them about the sprinklers and see what they suggest. I'm sure this won't be the first time they've heard the question.
I'm so sorry - this sounds like a tough thing to deal with. I doubt the sprinkler would have caused the problem. I have a stone bench in my back yard for the last 12 years and it's in the way of sprinklers constantly and it's not gotten weatherd. Is the bench under a tree? Trees often do darken the stone under them - I notice this when I go walking - the stone driveways, paths and sidewalks under some trees are much darker. I would go back to the place where you selected it and bought it. Take some photos of it with good lighting so they can see the marks - ask for their advice. They would have a better idea of something you can use to polish it or fix it up. You should ask them if they can fix it - I don't think 7 years is that long a time.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine!
Here is what I know about marble and granite care. 1st - someone told me years ago - to NEVER use any cleaners or polishes that have a "petroleum" product base - as they are porous stones and the product will settle into the pores and turn yellow and eventually brown. :-(
I have granite counters in our bathrooms - black in one, and a dark black, gold,green variegated one in the other. They both water spot like crazy! I found a product at Publix - that says " Marble & Granite cleaner & Polish" - it seems to take the water spots right off, and puts a "slick shine" on that pretty much repels the water after that. I spray it on, wipe it around with a paper towel. At this point it looks like a smeary mess, and then I rub it out with a micro fiber dusting / polishing cloth and it shines and is perfect looking after that. Depending on how messy they get - I usually only do that once a month or so - and just give it a wipe with vinegar and water in between. I would keep trying to reach someone by phone at the cemetery or at a vendor of such products to ask their opinion as well. Good luck!
I agree with Stella. Do you have a contract? I am sure there is some sort of warranty on their work, so they should repair it without an issue. If they give you a hard time, then you should tell them this was not something they mentioned as happening and you did not anticipate any problems, so they should clean it free of charge, even if it's just a one-time thing. They may try to blame the cemetery for the sprinklers, but I think they should be held accountable for not providing a weather-resistant product, knowing a bench will be exposed to the natural elements.
