Cleaning The 200 Year Old Headstone Of William Driver!

Honoring History with the Right Tools: Restoring the Grave of William Driver Using Monu-Mental

Welcome back to another post here at Lean and Mean Academy, where we dig into the details of real-world softwash projects—and this one is as historical as it gets.

Today, we’re checking in on a special gravestone I treated a couple of months back using the Monu-Mental solution. The grave belongs to none other than Mr. William Driver, the man who gave the American flag the name “Old Glory.” He’s buried right here in Nashville, and as soon as I saw the state of his monument, I knew it deserved some serious care.

If you missed the original cleaning video, I’ll drop a screenshot or link in this post—it was rough. The monument was caked with organic growth, darkened by time, and needed something that could clean deeply without damaging the stone. That’s where Monu-Mental came in.

Before and After: Monu-Mental in Action

Let’s talk results.

We’re about two months out from the initial treatment, and the stone looks dramatically better. Not perfect—but that’s not the goal here. Perfection is unrealistic when you’re not using pressure or harsh chemicals. What you want is preservation and steady improvement—and that’s what Monu-Mental delivers.

Here’s what I noticed on the follow-up:

• Top of the Stone: The treated area has cleaned up beautifully. You can still see some of the Monu-Mental solution working on the stone—no rinse, no brushing, just letting chemistry and time do their thing.

• Runoff Lines: There are visible streaks where the solution ran down, cleaning along the way. This unintended runoff is evidence of how effective the chemical is, even with minimal application.

• Untreated Areas: The base of the stone wasn't prioritized in the first visit, and it shows. Some light growth still lingers there, but again, this wasn't part of the focus. That gives us a good contrast for before-and-after comparison.

• Verticals and Detailing: Some parts of the vertical carvings still have buildup. These are always tougher to treat due to pooling and leaf debris, but a follow-up with a lighter ratio will keep things improving.

Maintenance Strategy: Long-Term Gravestone Preservation

So, what’s the plan from here? It’s all about maintenance.

Here’s what I recommend for Monu-Mental grave treatments:

1. Initial Treatment: Hit the stone with a full-strength mix and let it sit. No pressure, no brushing.

2. Wait 2-3 Months: Allow the chemical to work. Nature and weather will help accelerate the breakdown of algae and biological growth.

3. Maintenance Sprays: Come back every 3-6 months with a lighter ratio. This keeps the stone clean and gently continues the restoration process.

4. Educate Clients: Set expectations with historical sites or private clients that this is a gradual process. Non-bleach, non-pressure systems can’t promise perfection—but they can promise safe, progressive results.

Why Monu-Mental is the Right Choice for Historic Stonework

Let’s talk chemistry.

Monu-Mental is a quad-based chemical solution. That means:

• ✅ No pressure needed

• ✅ No bleach (sodium hypochlorite)

• ✅ Safe for sensitive and historic stone

• ✅ Long-lasting microbial action

I’ve had people from historic churches and building maintenance crews approach me asking for exactly this kind of product. They know bleach is too aggressive for older materials—and they’re right. That's why Monu-Mental has quickly become my go-to.

"I had a church in downtown Nashville come up to us during a job and say, 'We can’t use bleach here—do you have anything else?' That’s when I handed him a jug of Monu-Mental."

This stuff is ideal for:

• Cemeteries

• Historical landmarks

• Churches and cathedrals

• Carved or porous stone

And the best part? You can charge premium prices for this treatment. Clients aren’t just paying for the product—they’re paying for your knowledge and care in applying it the right way.

Final Thoughts: Respect the Process, Preserve the Legacy

Let’s be real—cleaning historic graves isn’t about making them look brand new. It’s about honoring the past, preserving the integrity of the material, and doing so with the right methods.

Mr. William Driver helped shape our national identity. The least we can do is maintain his resting place with the dignity it deserves.

This restoration was a win. And with Monu-Mental on a maintenance schedule, it’ll only get better.

Want to Try Monu-Mental?

🔗 I’ve dropped the link to Monu-Mental in the description and comments below. Grab a jug, try it out, and start offering this premium service to your local cemeteries, churches, and historic clients.

Note: No blower or brush included. This is a chemical-only solution designed for non-invasive cleaning. Trust the process.

Like, Subscribe, and Stay Tuned

If you’re into preserving history and learning how to run a lean, mean pressure washing business—hit that Like button and subscribe to the channel. We’ve got more real-world softwashing content on the way.

Until next time,
Keep it lean. Keep it mean.