Chicora
Foundation
Resetting Tilted Gravestones
The Chicora Foundation has allowed us to post their information on repair,
cleaning & conservation of tombstones.
Only
gravestones that are severely tilted should be reset since there is
always the possibility that resetting may cause other damage to the
stone. Assume that all stones are fragile and have some form of internal
cracking or damage.
Remember
that stone is very heavy, weighing about 170 pounds per cubic
foot. It is always critical that you evaluate what you plan to
do, before you do it. This will help ensure that
neither the stone, nor you, are hurt by the undertaking.
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1.
It is absolutely critical that you dig around the stone very carefully.
Steel shovels can easily damage stone. In fact, it is best if you
excavate from the backside of the stone if at all possible C that way,
if you do slip, the mar will be on the reverse and not damage the
inscription. If a stone is leaning backwards, however, you may have to
dig on the face side since that is side away from the tilt.
Regardless, always try to keep firm earth on one side, to
provide a strong, compacted earth face against which to reset the stone.
2.
Keep the sod and set it aside separately. Stockpile the spoil on a
plastic tarp or in a wheelbarrow. Do not allow it to get mixed with the
surrounding grass. Not only does this look unprofessional and
inappropriate in a cemetery setting, but you will need this soil for
backfilling.
3.
Once the stone is free of earth, carefully remove it from the ground and
lay it aside, outside the work area, on several 2x4s to support it. This
will also make it easier to pick up again later. Examine the stone for
any writing or carving that might have been obscured by soil.
4.
If necessary, you may excavate the hole a little more- usually about 3
to 6 inches deeper and about 6 inches more in diameter, but remember to
leave one side compact.
5.
You want to create a firm base for the stone and one that will evenly
distribute its weight. If the base of the stone is relatively flat, set
an even layer of bricks as a base, then about an inch of sand. If the
base of the stone is pointed, then you may need to use only gravel and
sand.
6
Replace the stone in the hole, be sure that enough stone remains below
ground to support the upper portion and prevent it from retilting once
it's reset. For eighteenth century stones about 40% of the stone was
below ground level C the amount buried is reduced through the nineteenth
and twentieth centuries.
7.
Position the stone level both vertically and horizontally. Use a
builder's level to check.
8.
Refill the excavation using the original spoil. It may be necessary to
use occasional bricks or gravel to help assist holding the stone
upright. Gravel may also assist in drainage around the stone, especially
in heavy, clay soils. Tamp
this material every few inches to ensure that it is well settled around
the stone. Be careful with the tamping, however, to prevent damage to
the stone.
9.
Fill to encourage drainage away from the stone and reset the sod. All
remaining spoil should be carried away.
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