I got that call today to clean for the dead

[BIG WOOD]

It's really funny that the phone call came right before Halloween is coming. To clean some headstones in a graveyard.

Does anyone have any suggestions besides pressure washing at 1000psi hot water? Should I use some mild acids and rinse with a lower psi?

Has anyone done this before?

 

[Desk Jockey]

We are cleaning 4k sq/ft at a funeral home Saturday.

 

[BIG WOOD]

We are cleaning 4k sq/ft at a funeral home Saturday.

I've done that several times. The coffin room is the spookiest. It was a terrible coincidence for me. I had my old prochem legend at the time, and the exhaust header popped a hole in it while I was cleaning that room. It scared the s*** out of me from the unexpected noise in that gloomy room

 

[Desk Jockey]

LOL

 

[Bob Pruitt]

I cleaned a Restaurant in a old part of Florida and the Waitress and Owner both told me it was haunted. I don't believe in that so I smiled and thanked them and cleaned the Restaurant. Nothing. I did it again 3 months later and ... I'm telling you there was someone in there with me... but there wasn't. Haunted. Capt'n Cons Bokeelia Florida. I just worked faster after that... I BELIEVE!!!

 

[Zee]

It's really funny that the phone call came right before Halloween is coming. To clean some headstones in a graveyard.

Does anyone have any suggestions besides pressure washing at 1000psi hot water? Should I use some mild acids and rinse with a lower psi?

Has anyone done this before?

Why would you use acid?
I would think some alkaline solution would be better (just like stone floor cleaning) especially if the head stone is polished.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Why would you use acid?
I would think some alkaline solution would be better (just like stone floor cleaning) especially if the head stone is polished.

These headstones are black from the weather. I was thinking more along the line of the liquid peroxide type acid.

I've cleaned lots of concrete, just never on a grave. I definitely don't want to mess up that polished stone

But peroxide might screw the polished stuff up. So you're right about using an alkaline

 

[hogjowl]

http://landing.wetandforget.com/saf...2tLWm2GpgkxzmRxLKHK7xUpMKRbLWffP3ZBoCm27w_wcB

 

[Cleanworks]

http://landing.wetandforget.com/saf...2tLWm2GpgkxzmRxLKHK7xUpMKRbLWffP3ZBoCm27w_wcB

That looks like an amazing product. Wonder if it works on carpets? Just wet I and forget it. Just don't forget to collect the cheque first

 

[Zee]

I would also make sure it's allowed to clean up the stones.

I have heard before where it was not allowed to get the patina off the stones.

 

[Charlie Lyman]

We just did a funeral home. The funeral director has a great sense of humor.
You clean headstones just like you clean granite counters.

 

[Mikey P]

Assuming they're Granite.

What tile tools do you have Matt?


A PMF Grinder hand tool would be great on the rough stones

 

[BIG WOOD]

Assuming they're Granite.

What tile tools do you have Matt?


A PMF Grinder hand tool would be great on the rough stones

I have the PMF single jet hand tool used for tile showers and counter tops. I think it's got a 500psi max on it.
Pmf calls it the Scrubber Detailer
http://www.pmftools.com/products/upholstery/

 

[BIG WOOD]

I was thinking about using the Pressure washer wand hot water at 500psi on the old headstones and 1000psi on the new polished headstones. And if that didn't work, use the hand tool on it.

But from what Mary just showed us, I'm a little confused. Because I don't feel right about charging my minimum to go there and spray the stones for 5min. I'm thinking about sending the information to the lady that called and tell her if that doesn't work, then call me and I'll use my process. I feel that if they know that I want the best for them at the best cost, then it'll build more trust between the church members and me

I clean the carpet at the church, so I'm not worried about losing any business from them

 

[Mikey P]

http://landing.wetandforget.com/saf...2tLWm2GpgkxzmRxLKHK7xUpMKRbLWffP3ZBoCm27w_wcB

No mention of how long it takes to get those results

 

[BIG WOOD]

No mention of how long it takes to get those results

That's why I'm not gonna buy it. I thought the same thing

 

[Onfire_02_01]

I've done that several times. The coffin room is the spookiest. It was a terrible coincidence for me. I had my old prochem legend at the time, and the exhaust header popped a hole in it while I was cleaning that room. It scared the s*** out of me from the unexpected noise in that gloomy room

Yep it scares the shit out of me too.... but mostly after I look at the price tag.

 

[Zee]

You gotta be a special type of person to be an undertaker.... I don't think I could do that business.

And I don't even want to take a cleaning job at a place like that.

 

[BIG WOOD]

You gotta be a special type of person to be an undertaker.... I don't think I could do that business.

And I don't even want to take a cleaning job at a place like that.

I think it's hilarious. I'll go to a funeral or the viewings at this funeral home, and the owner's wife will be there greeting people. She's always decked out in the finest jewelry with a huge rock on her finger, and the best clothes. You can tell she just got back from her hair appointment at some high price salon in NEW YORK. It makes me sick, but is kinda funny looking at her. I just don't understand why she isn't dressing down a little bit, to be a little more humble to the ones who's lost a loved one

 

[Nate The Great]

It's a recession proof business... It's a business people are dying to get in.......

I know it's grim and grave to make a comment like that, but it's true...

An old timer mafia guy down here used to run a mortuary, I heard he could make anyone disappear... I steered clear of that guy...

 

[Jim Williams]

A lot of folks in cemeteries are busy voting right now. Be careful.

I was in a church working a few years ago and was talking to the pastor when a census worker walks in. He was looking for an address but his GPS was showing it was the church cemetery. I told him he may as well count them too because half of them voted in the last election.

He kind of got real quiet.

 

[Onfire_02_01]

I think it's hilarious. I'll go to a funeral or the viewings at this funeral home, and the owner's wife will be there greeting people. She's always decked out in the finest jewelry with a huge rock on her finger, and the best clothes. You can tell she just got back from her hair appointment at some high price salon in NEW YORK. It makes me sick, but is kinda funny looking at her. I just don't understand why she isn't dressing down a little bit, to be a little more humble to the ones who's lost a loved one

For the same reasons people dress up for weddings and going to church.

 

[Nate The Great]

For the same reasons people dress up for weddings and going to church.

Fake it til you make it?!?

Problem is, grave robbing is a crime.... I never got some of these Japanese guys who get buried with there money... The family wants to take the money, but can't....

 

[steve_64]

I've known a couple undertakers and they both had a unique sense if humor.

It's been awhile since I've cleaned a funeral home but it didn't bother me to be in there with the deceased.

It's the live ones that creep me out.

 

[Raw74]

I cleaned a funeral home once and the lady told me not to go in the coffin room , said i might wake them up. I lol for a minute and then i thought to myself. If they get up I'm out of here. Truckmount and wand will be left behind. I will Flintstone it all the way home

 

[BIG WOOD]

I cleaned a funeral home once and the lady told me not to go in the coffin room , said i might wake them up. I lol for a minute and then i thought to myself. If they get up I'm out of here. Truckmount and wand will be left behind. I will Flintstone it all the way home

I'll call you to come help me on my next funeral home job

 

[Desk Jockey]

We did one today. 4k sq/ft and drycleaned some drapes by hand.

 

[SamIam]

You cleaned for the walking dead?

Or Greatful Dead???

 

[Desk Jockey]

Neither.

Its actually a very nice facility. I don't know if they do it in your town but the same group has a facility in different parts of town. North, West, East and Midtown & a Mausoleum, good clients.

 

[hogjowl]

I gave an estimate to clean a local funeral home that's part of a chain. I lost the bid to two women who came in and "dry cleaned" for 5cents a foot using "a big yellow machine".