How to Get Your Gravestone Repaired or Restored.
- Assess the headstone. First, take a close look at the current state of the headstone. If you haven’t visited in-person for a while or if there was a ...
- Avoid harmful materials.
- Take photos of the gravestone.
- Scrub the headstone gently.
- Apply epoxy for broken pieces.
How do you clean a headstone at the Cemetary?
⇒ Clean water. ⇒ Cleaning solution, only if needed; and only after following the manufacturers' instructions. ⇒ Wear protective gear if manufacturer requires. ⇒ Most headstones and markers can be cleaned with water alone. ⇒ For tougher stains, the use of water with a detergent may be helpful.
Why do cemeteries allow headstones to topple?
Many cemeteries and churchyards have removed those extra stones to ease grass cutting by machine mower. In some UK cemeteries, the principal, and indeed only, marker is placed at the foot of the grave. Owing to soil movement and downhill creep on gentle slopes, older headstones and footstones can often be found tilted at an angle. Over time, this movement can result in the stones being sited several metres away from their original location.
Why are there coins on headstones in the cemetery?
- Leaving a penny simply indicates you’re honoring the dead in gratitude for their service.
- A nickel means that you and the departed trained together at boot camp or basic training.
- A dime signifies you served with them in some capacity.
- Leaving a quarter means you were with the soldier when he died.
How to reset a headstone?
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Small, local cemetery owners came together at Oak Grove cemetery this weekend to learn how to restore old graves and monuments. The weekend-long workshop was set up by the Preservation Association of West Virginia. In the workshop ...
Can you fix a broken headstone?
Headstone Repair Involving Two Broken Pieces Once the stone is dry, apply an epoxy that is specially formulated for headstone restoration. Next, apply a continuous line of epoxy down the center of the break, but stay away from the edges. Make sure that the epoxy is applied to all of the contact points on the headstone.
What kind of glue do you use on a gravestone?
EpoxyEpoxy.com Product #2005 was specifically designed for tombstone (monuments) and/or stone bonding, or repair. Epoxy.com Product #2005 is very strong yet it is has a "low modulus of elasticity: (semi-flexible).
How do you reseal a gravestone?
2:005:55DIY 15 How to Clean & Seal a Headstone A Tombstone TutorialYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe bleach is really the key to the whole thing. And now if you're gonna put a sealer on it you justMoreThe bleach is really the key to the whole thing. And now if you're gonna put a sealer on it you just want to let it dry overnight stone is clean and dry it's time to apply the sealer.
Can a gravestone be corrected?
In many cases, the correction can be done on-site if it is a small correction. Keep in mind, the more intricate the correction, the harder it will be to leave the stone in place. Though many headstone engravers can do the correction on-site, they may charge more for more difficult projects.
How do you clean and repair a headstone?
Scrub: With a soft-bristle brush, gently scrub the headstone in an orbital motion from bottom to top. Avoid any cracks or flakes when scrubbing. Avoid cleaning the entire stone if there is an excessive amount of scratches or flaking. Rinse: Always rinse the stone from bottom to top to avoid streaking.
Can you repair a granite headstone?
The good news is that products are available to put granite gravestones back together again. Lay a tarp on the ground, and try to assemble the broken pieces on it. Determine if you must glue the pieces back together or glue them together and surface fill them once they're reattached to the main part of the headstone.
Is Gorilla Glue good for marble?
Gorilla Glue is a powerful adhesive that works on metal, stone, wood, ceramics, foam, glass and other materials. It is entirely waterproof and resistant to temperature change.
Can you use Dawn to clean a headstone?
Keep your loved one's headstone clean with the following products: Gentle soap: Liquid dish soap is your best friend when it comes to cleaning a granite headstone. Anything harsher than dish soap can ruin the granite or eat away at the sealant. We recommend Ivory or Dawn soaps.
Can you use Simple Green to clean headstones?
Sometimes, simply spraying the stone with water and using a soft bristle brush is enough to start seeing improvement. For more stubborn weathering, Simple Green spray is applied. The stone will then be rinsed to flush away the cleaning solution.
How do you reset a flat grave marker?
2:355:19How to Reset a Stone Grave Marker - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHard mortar we must remove any loose mortar to get a good bond when the stone is reset. We're goingMoreHard mortar we must remove any loose mortar to get a good bond when the stone is reset. We're going to carefully remove the old mortar with a hammer and chisel.
Can a headstone be redone?
In the event that your loved one's headstone has withstood extensive weathering and it cannot simply be cleaned and redone, you can have the headstone as a whole replaced.
Can a gravestone be resurfaced?
Resurfacing a headstone is no small task. In the event that your loved one's headstone requires professional resurfacing, there are a variety of businesses that specialize in resurfacing headstone materials with meticulous care and precision.
Can you change writing on a gravestone?
Whether the inscription has faded or the stone has cracks or chips, it can be repaired. Even a large amount of damage in the headstone can be repaired and restored so it looks beautiful for years to come. Some headstones can also be reused, i.e. additional inscriptions can be added on the existing gravestones.
How do you restore a gravestone lettering?
0:122:37SECRET to Re-Painting a Black Traditional Headstone Grave MarkerYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSometimes we get a little bit of flaking off depending upon what time of the year we apply the paintMoreSometimes we get a little bit of flaking off depending upon what time of the year we apply the paint. So it's very simple and we do have kits to restore these stones.
How do you wet and forget on a gravestone?
Simply spray the surface with Wet & Forget Ready-To-Use, making sure all headstone surfaces are fully saturated with product. You are done! Wet & Forget Outdoor cleans the headstones and monuments over time with the wind and the rain. No scrubbing required!
Can you use baking soda to clean headstones?
If the stone has mold or mildew stains, mix a poultice with a cup of baking soda, five tablespoons of dish soap and enough hydrogen peroxide to make a thick paste. Apply this to the headstone and let it sit for several hours, then wash away and dry. You may need the brush to get the stains out.
What to do before restoration of a headstone?
Before you start the headstone restoration process, make sure to inspect the stone or material used to make the monument. Despite the durable materials like granite and marble in their makeup, headstones are still very fragile and need to be handled with care.
How to clean a gravestone before repairing it?
When cleaning a headstone, use a small brush and an approved biocide to kill and remove any moss, mold or anything else that tends to grow on the surface. Wait for the headstone to dry before taking the next steps.
Why are headstones brittle?
Due to age, corrosion, vandalism, or weathering, headstones can become brittle over time and susceptible to damage. Fortunately, you can correct many issues and prevent further damage with headstone restoration.
How to epoxy a headstone?
First, spread the pieces out on a flat surface. After that, put the pieces together so you can easily determine the easiest spot to epoxy.
How to clean a marble headstone?
Instead, use a little dishwashing detergent, water, and a couple of clean cloths to clean and dry the headstone. Bronze and marble memorials require water, non-ionic soap, and soft cloths for adequate cleaning.
Why is it difficult to keep a memorial marker?
While memorial markers are sturdy, they are not impervious. Due to age, corrosion, vandalism, or weathering, head stones can become brittle over time and susceptible to damage.
Where are headstones set?
Most headstones are set in the ground, in a slotted base, or in concrete for additional stability. With time, the ground may shift or rodents may burrow beneath the base of the headstone. Depending on the location or how secure the cemetery is, most headstones are susceptible to vandalism and theft. Before you start with the gravestone repair ...
Why does a stone slide on a foundation?
If the foundation isn’t perfectly level or when the moisture between the stone and the foundation freezes, the stone will begin to slide around on the foundation.
What does flat bottom mean on a stone?
Flat or Rough Bottom (Age of Stone) Whether or not a stone has a rough bottom or flat bottom plays a large role in the effort required to replace a foundation. The older a stone is, the more likely it is to have a rough bottom, which requires a much more labor-intensive process to reset on a new foundation.
Can you use a precast foundation if the stone is flat?
If the stone does not have a flat bottom, which is common on older stones, we won’t be able to use a pre-cast foundation.
Is marble harder than granite?
Granite or Marble. Marble is typically much softer than granite. This is an important aspect to consider as there are instances in which we will not be able to remove a marble stone from its foundation, especially older marble stones set directly in a wash of wet concrete.
Is concrete foundation bigger than stone?
There have been times where the concrete foundation has been absolutely massive compared to the stone sitting on it. For some reason, when foundations were being dug and poured in the past they would dig them huge and fill them with a mixture of concrete, rock, and other random metal and junk.
Can you relevel a stone with a crumbling foundation?
It’s not going to do any good to try to relevel a stone with a crumbling foundation. Attempting to do so might even cause more damage to the foundation! Ideally, the stone will have a flat bottom, which means we’ll be able to simply remove the old foundation and set a new foundation in its place.
Can vandalism damage gravestones?
The press loves to focus on the deplorable acts of vandalism, which from time to time, may damage a local cemetery or graveyard. Yet these occasional rampages are not the leading cause of broken gravestones.
Can stone fragments be joined back together?
Provided to stone itself still has its structural integrity intact, the fragments can usually be joined back together and be conserved, (repaired). Although joining two or more broken elements is a seemingly basic task, it can quickly become complex.
Can epoxies be used on gravestones?
Modern epoxies have evolved in the recent past, which now allow gravestone conservation procedures previously impossible, to be accomplished. Mortars were traditionally employed to join broken stone fragments, but mortars tend to be too thick and cause mating surfaces to be enlarged.
How to make sure your stones are re-set in line with one another?
The easiest way to ensure your stones are re-set in line with one another is to create a system of guide strings running the length of the existing row. Each string can be attached to a metal stake at each end of the row to make sure your line will be straight.
What is the first step in a cemetery preservation project?
If at any point you are concerned about damaging a headstone or other element of the cemetery, take a step back and consult a preservation professional. A small amount of caution now can save a lot of work down the line.
Why is the base of a tombstone buried in the ground?
This earth and stone tends to keep the temperature of the base more stable by insulating it and slowing the change in temperature.
What happens when an object like a piece of stone is heated?
When an object like a piece of stone is heated it expands (gets bigger). When an object cools it contracts (gets smaller). For example 100 feet of concrete will be 1 inch longer once it is heated 100 degrees F. That is why expansion joints are cut into concrete.
How far above the epoxy joint does a stone break?
When a secondary break occurs, the stone always re-breaks about 2 mm (about 0.08 inch) above or below the epoxy joint. The epoxy attached to about 2 mm of the stone and holds well.
What is it called when a stone gets hotter?
This is called "differential timing of the event".
Do tombstones have the same coefficient of expansion?
In the case of tombstones all the pieces of the same type of stone have very similar if not identical "coefficient of expansion". Since the pieces are positioned with potentially different timing of heating and cooling there is a "differential timing of the event" (see above).
.jpg)