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...
- Avoid harmful materials. Before you do anything else, ensure you know what cleaning agents to avoid. Some cleaning...
- Take photos of the gravestone. While this might sound strange, there are a lot of...
How to make a temporary headstone?
What can I put on a grave besides flowers?
- FRESH FLOWERS. Leaving fresh flowers on gravesites is a timeless, classic way to decorate a grave. …
- ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS. Some cemeteries do not allow fresh flowers to be placed on graves. …
- CANDLES. …
- HANDWRITTEN NOTES. …
- PHOTOGRAPHS. …
- PHOTO ENGRAVED PENDANT. …
- SOLAR LIGHTS. …
- SPECIAL ROCKS & STONES.
How to clean an old headstone?
- Acquire proper tools
- Take appropriate precautions
- Recognize headstone types
- Start cleaning headstones
- Things to avoid while cleaning
How can I clean a grave headstone?
Shiny surfaces can often be wiped over with a flask of warm water and a cloth or soft brush, when cleaning headstones. Some people add a little liquid detergent to the water. Be gentle and avoid using harsh scourers or brushes when gravestone cleaning. This will scratch the stone’s surface and can attract mosses or algae.
How do they correct a headstone?
Eight Tips for Re-setting Headstones
- Do no harm. As with any preservation project, the first and most important step is to do no harm. ...
- Raise the stone. Before a headstone can be re-set, it needs to be fully removed from its place. ...
- Set your alignment. ...
- Re-dig the hole. ...
- Partially fill the hole. ...
- Replace the stone. ...
- Tamp down the hole. ...
- Finish the job.
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 repair 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.
How do you refurbish a gravestone?
0:154:49Headstone reinscription, recolouration, relettering, repainting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore we get started with any paint we have cleaned the stone out removed all moss and lichen thatMoreBefore we get started with any paint we have cleaned the stone out removed all moss and lichen that was present dry it off get rid of all the dust etc.
How much does it cost to restore a gravestone?
The cost of a headstone, sometimes referred to as a gravestone or tombstone, also includes long-term maintenance fees. You can expect to pay somewhere between $200 and $500 to get the stonework restored every 5 to 10 years, i.e., $50 per year, depending on how quickly it degrades and how well it's taken care of.
Can a headstone be redone?
In the event that that is not enough, professionals can restore your loved one's headstone and its inscriptions for you. 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 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.
What kind of paint do they use on headstones?
Lithichrome paintThe correct type of paint for granite, such as Lithichrome paint. A fiber or soft brush, not a wire brush.
What paint do stonemasons use on headstones?
Stone Masonry Enamel Paint | Headstone Consumables.
What gold paint do they use on headstones?
Kölner Rapid - Yellow - 100ml Kölner Rapid is a specially developed adhesive designed for gilded chiselled, carved or sand-blasted letters. Typical examples of uses include lettering on monuments, tombstones or household number plates.
What is the difference between a tombstone and a headstone?
"Gravestone" is the older word, being used from the late 1300s, and "tombstone" is from the mid-1500s. A headstone, as the word implies, referred to a grave marker placed at the head of a grave. It's the newest of the three words, arising in 1676, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.
Can you upgrade a tombstone?
These days, some local authorities will allow a memorial headstone to be placed or replaced without sighting the plot deed – providing that they receive the signature of the plot owner to say that they are happy for you to proceed.
How much is a flat grave marker?
For a standard single granite flat grave marker, you should expect to budget a minimum of $200. With each increase in size, budget around $100 more. A 16-inch by 8-inch marker, for example, should cost around $200. A 20-inch by 10-inch marker will cost around $300.
How do you use monument setting compound?
The monument is centered on the base and a setting compound is rolled out and lead is placed under each corner. The monument is lifted slightly one side at a time to pull out the softening and push under the setting compound, it is adjusted and centered as it settles down onto the lead.
How do you glue a granite vase to a headstone?
If you're working with a granite headstone, keep in mind that granite loses its porousness after being polished. Luckily, granite epoxy is much more effective than mastic glue. After that, start mixing the epoxy with a putty knife until it features a uniform appearance in color.
How to fix a broken headstone?
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. After that, you are ready to clamp the two broken pieces together.
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.
What to look for when restoring 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. One thing to look out for during this initial step is delamination.
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.
Why fix a monument?
Fixing a monument brings it back to life to tell the stories of those it is memorializing. We love to do this work and look forward to working with you to bring your stones back to life!
How long does it take to replace a stone monument?
The bigger the stone the more work it will take to do any of the jobs mentioned above. A full foundation replacement on a small marker can be done in a half an hour, but that same job on a 5-foot monument can take a few hours or more, depending on the other variables involved.
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.
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.
Why does a monument lean?
Over time, this movement may have an effect on the stone and cause it to lean or tip in a certain direction. If this is happening and the foundation is still intact and in good shape, we’ll simply re-level the stone.
What is the biggest unknown when replacing a foundation?
The biggest unknown we face when replacing a foundation is what we’re going to run into once we start digging. 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 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.
Can stone 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. The type of stone to be conserved, and where it is broken both need to be assessed before a preservation effort may begin.
Can you join a fractured tombstone together?
Many techniques have historically been employed to join fractured tombstone together. Although the drilling and placement of bolts and metal repair plates is no longer advised, for many years this was considered a well done repair. We should be very careful to avoid disparaging repairs done at a different time. Any repair that has lasted is in some respects well done. They may not always look that great, but consider if a repair was not completed, the fragments may have been lost or destroyed.
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 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.
Cemetery Monument Repairs with Six10 Epoxy
I began searching for a way to repair the breaks and found WEST SYSTEM Six10 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive. Before trying it, I talked to Gougeon Technical Service and confirmed that it would be appropriate for cemetery monument repairs. After my first couple of repairs, I was satisfied.
Assembly and Instruction
When assembling the stone pieces, I lay them out and mark the points of contact. The next step is a good cleaning, including wire brushing to eliminate any loose or soft surface material. Next, I use acetone to clean all surfaces to be epoxied. When all is ready, I apply Six10 in a ring on one surface.
How to deepen a hole in a headstone?
Use a shovel to widen and deepen the hole for each headstone.
How to ensure headstones are set in line?
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. This string will guide the exact placement of all headstones in that row.
How to set a stone in a hole?
Using your pulley, carefully raise the stone and re-set it in the new hole being careful to use your guide strings to keep it in line with the other stones. Once the stone is placed, be sure to make sure it is set flat in the hole (the top of both sides are even) by placing a level across the top of the stone.
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.
Can a headstone be laid flat?
Allowing the headstone to lean or list can cause cracking or breaking, especially with older stones. Once the stone is removed, it can be laid flat on the ground nearby.
Can headstones fall out of the ground?
With weather conditions, shifting soil, and the simple passage of time, headstones can lean out of plumb or even topple over. HOPE Crew volunteers recently encountered this problem at Louisiana’s Chalmette National Cemetery, where they spent a month bringing the most troubled parts of the veterans' cemetery back to their original state.
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.
How far does a tombstone re-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".
Does epoxy shrink stone?
No I doubt it is epoxy shrinkage causing the problem. High quality epoxy has virtually no shrinkage.
