Memorial Preservation Services
That Stone
Deserves to
Look Right.
Decades of weather, lichen, and neglect can make even the most carefully crafted memorial almost unreadable. Portsmouth Monument Co. restores, resets, and cleans granite memorials in Portsmouth, Scioto County, and surrounding communities — the same craftsmen who built them, still here after 111 years.
A Neglected Memorial
Is a Story Being Lost
Granite is one of the most durable materials on earth — but it is not immune to time. Lichen colonies slowly etch into the surface. Moisture and freeze-thaw cycles can heave a monument off its base. Bronze lettering oxidizes to near-invisibility. And the inscriptions that mark a person's entire life begin to disappear.
For many families, the memorial they chose is the only permanent marker of a life lived. When it deteriorates, something irreplaceable is at risk — and the longer it goes unaddressed, the harder and more costly restoration becomes.
The Lichen Problem
Lichen is more than cosmetic. Left untreated, lichen root systems physically penetrate the stone surface and cause permanent pitting and surface degradation. Early intervention preserves both the stone and the inscription.
Lichen & Biological Growth
Green, black, and orange lichen adhere to granite surfaces and slowly deteriorate the stone beneath. Difficult to remove once deeply established.
Tilting & Settlement
Ground movement, frost heave, and base erosion can tilt or topple monuments. An unstable stone is both a safety concern and an insult to the family it represents.
Faded or Damaged Lettering
Paint fill, metallic lettering, and sandblasted inscriptions all fade with time. Names and dates that were once crisp can become barely legible within a few decades.
Chips, Cracks & Breaks
Accidental damage during mowing, vandalism, or structural stress can chip or crack granite. Unaddressed cracks spread with seasonal moisture and temperature changes.
Every Restoration & Cleaning
Service, Done In-House
From routine surface cleaning to full monument resetting, our craftsmen handle every step — no subcontractors, no shipping your project across state lines.
Monument Cleaning
Standard cemetery cleaning involves more than a bucket of water. We use professional-grade biological cleaners appropriate for granite — solutions that lift lichen, algae, dirt, and staining without etching the polished surface or leaving chemical residue that attracts future growth.
- Biological cleaning solution application
- Soft-bristle scrubbing (never wire or abrasive)
- Lichen and algae removal
- Dirt and road grime removal
- Bronze plaque and lettering cleaning
- Base and foundation cleaning
Monument Resetting
When a monument has tilted, settled, or been knocked over, resetting requires more than pushing it back upright. We excavate the foundation, re-level the base, and reinstall the stone properly — so it stays put.
- Foundation excavation and assessment
- Base relevel and stabilization
- Monument reinstallation
- Concrete base repair or replacement
Lettering Restoration
Faded paint-fill or bare, unreadable inscriptions can be restored. We recut or repaint lettering to match the original style — and if you need new text added (a spouse's date, an additional name), we can do that in-house as well.
- Paint-fill lettering touch-up and repaint
- Gold or silver lettering restoration
- Adding inscriptions to existing monuments
- V-sunk and sandblasted text restoration
Repair & Structural Work
Chips, cracks, and broken monuments can often be repaired. We assess each piece individually and recommend the most appropriate repair method — whether that's professional stone adhesive, recarving a damaged edge, or replacement of a broken component.
- Chip and crack repair
- Broken monument reassembly
- Vase holder repair and replacement
- Structural assessment and documentation
Protective Sealing
After cleaning and restoration, we can apply a professional-grade stone sealer that slows biological regrowth and reduces water absorption — extending the period between required maintenance.
- Penetrating granite sealer application
- Biological growth inhibitor treatment
- Safe for all cemetery environments
Assessment & Documentation
Not sure what your monument needs? We offer on-site assessments and can provide a written recommendation before any work is approved. Nothing proceeds without your sign-off — the same policy we hold for all new monument work.
- On-site condition assessment
- Written restoration recommendation
- Photo documentation before and after
- Your signed approval required before work begins
Three Steps. Your Approval at Every One.
Restoration work is personal. We don't make decisions without you — from assessment to the final result.
We Assess the Stone
Call us or stop by our Portsmouth showroom to describe the monument's condition. For complex situations, we'll schedule an on-site assessment at the cemetery to evaluate in person what needs to be done.
You Approve the Plan
We provide a clear description of the work recommended — what it involves, what it will cost, and what result you can expect. Nothing begins until you've reviewed and approved the scope in writing.
We Do the Work & Document It
Our craftsmen complete the approved work at the cemetery site or in our shop, depending on the service. We photograph the monument before and after, and follow up to confirm everything meets your expectations.
The Wrong Cleaner Can
Do More Damage Than the Lichen
Families often try to clean a memorial themselves — and frequently make the problem worse. Here's what can go wrong without professional-grade methods.
Wrong Chemicals
Bleach, vinegar, and household cleaners can permanently etch polished granite surfaces, strip protective finishes, and discolor stone. Damage from the wrong cleaner is often irreversible.
Wrong Tools
Wire brushes, power washers, and abrasive pads remove lichen but also remove the polished surface, creating a rough finish that collects biological growth faster than before.
Improper Resetting
A leaning monument that's simply pushed upright — without addressing the foundation — will lean again within a season. Incorrect resetting can crack the stone itself.
Cemetery Regulations
Many cemeteries have rules about what cleaning products and methods are permitted. Our team knows the local regulations and works within them — protecting you from additional complications.
Call Us to Talk Through What the Stone Needs
You don't need to know the right terminology or what category the problem falls into. Call and describe what you see — we'll tell you what can be done.
Mon–Fri 8:00am–4:30pm · Saturday by appointment
The Memorial That
Tells the Story Again.
This is what families describe after a professional restoration — not just a cleaner stone, but the feeling of a memorial restored to dignity.
Restorations That
Meant Something.
Hearing from families after restoration work is different from any other job we do. These are the moments that remind us why this work matters.
"My grandmother's headstone had turned almost completely green with lichen — you could barely make out her name. I'd tried cleaning it myself with no luck. Portsmouth Monument Co. restored it in a single visit. It looked like the day it was installed. I stood there and cried."
Portsmouth, OH
"My father's stone had been tilting for years — I felt guilty every time I visited. Tyler's team came out, reset the entire base, and leveled it properly. The price was fair and the work was exactly what they described. It's been two years and the stone hasn't moved an inch."
Wheelersburg, OH
Questions About Restoration
& Cleaning
If you don't see what you need here, give us a call — we're happy to talk through your situation.
How do I know if a monument needs professional cleaning or restoration?
If you can see visible lichen, green or black discoloration, faded lettering that's hard to read, a stone that's visibly tilted, or any chips or damage to the surface — it's worth a call. You don't need to diagnose the problem yourself. Describe what you see and we'll tell you what's realistic and what it would involve.
Can I clean the monument myself?
You can — but there's a right way and a very wrong way. The right way: use a soft natural-bristle brush, clean water, and a pH-neutral cleaner specifically formulated for stone (D/2 Biological Solution is widely respected). Never use bleach, vinegar, dish soap, wire brushes, or power washers. These can permanently damage the surface. If the monument has significant lichen, physical damage, or is leaning, professional help is the safer call.
Can a chipped or cracked headstone be repaired?
Often, yes — depending on the nature and location of the damage. Minor chips can frequently be repaired with professional-grade stone adhesives that are color-matched to the granite. Cracks are more complex and assessed individually. In some cases, replacement of a component is more practical than repair. We'll assess the damage and give you an honest recommendation, including situations where repair isn't the best solution.
Can you add a name or date to an existing headstone?
Yes. Adding inscriptions to an existing monument is one of our most common services. We match the original lettering style as closely as possible — using sandblasting or engraving depending on what's already on the stone. As with all work, you review and sign off on the design before anything is cut. This can often be done at the cemetery without removing the stone.
How much does monument cleaning or restoration cost?
Pricing varies based on the size of the monument, the extent of the damage or discoloration, and the specific services required. A basic cleaning of a single upright monument is significantly less than a full restoration with resetting and lettering work. We provide a clear quote after assessment, and nothing proceeds without your approval. Call us at (740) 353-4055 to discuss what you're dealing with.
Do you work in cemeteries outside of Portsmouth?
Yes. We serve cemeteries throughout southern Ohio and northern Kentucky — including communities in Scioto, Pike, Lawrence, and Adams Counties, and across into Kentucky. If you're unsure whether we cover your area, call us and we'll confirm. We work in the same regions we serve for new monuments.
Do you need my approval before starting restoration work?
Yes — always. This is our firm policy for every service we provide, including restoration. You'll receive a written description of the work planned, what it will cost, and what the outcome should be. Work does not begin until you've reviewed and signed off. There are no surprises.
How long does restoration take?
Simple cleaning visits are typically completed in a single trip to the cemetery. Resetting requires excavation and foundation work and may take a half day or longer depending on the scope. Lettering and inscription work may require the stone to come to our shop. We'll give you a realistic timeline during the assessment and quote process.
You Don't Need All the Answers Before You Call
Tell us what you're seeing. We'll tell you what's possible, what it would cost, and what the result should look like — before you commit to anything.
Mon–Fri 8:00am–4:30pm · Saturday by appointment · 1617 Offnere St, Portsmouth OH