Conservation Methodology

CLEANING
Cleaning gravestones is generally not recommended unless performing repairs. Biological soiling will degrade stone surfaces over a long time. The affects of this degradation needs to be weighed against the degrading affects of cleaning. Depending on the method of cleaning this can be beneficial or detrimental.

If cleaning is necessary the stone surfaces should be rinsed with a generous amount of water and brushed with a natural bristle brush. Repeat as necessary. If a stone has biological growth, it can be treated with an anti-biological solution. D2 is the recommended product for this application. 

Removal of failed repairs

Repairs are considered as having failed if they are no longer functional, are unsightly, or are a hazard. Failed adhesives, mortars and pins require careful removal before proceeding with conservation treatment. Some temporary stabilization may be necessary as poorly attached fragments are disassembled.

Removal of degraded structural resins may be particularly difficult and time-consuming. Mechanical removal is generally done with small hand tools. The cutting of pins and fasteners may require power tools. Ferrous metal pins are most often locked in place by corrosion expansion. Their removal is best done by careful drilling with a properly sized coring bit.

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RESETTING
Eighteenth and early nineteenth century New England gravestones are typically stone tablets that were set directly in the ground. By the first half of the 19th century many headstones began to use bases. Stones were either mortared into slots or pined to the base. In some cases older tablets were cut and reset with a base. 
 
Larger monuments are often made of several elements and can be both large and heavy. Specialized hoisting equipment is often required. Competent operation and structural engineering considerations are required when performing this work.

Resetting in ground
Tilted stones set directly in the ground can be made plumb by careful excavation of the soil with hand tools, to permit re-setting in the proper position and drainage. When excavating, all large stones should be removed as ice heaves can cause an underground stone to push on the gravestone. If there is not an adequate length of below grade material to support the marker a new cast concrete below grade base will be required. Once the stone is carefully placed into the vertical position and at the proper depth, the stone is made plumb and level, and aligned with adjacent markers. Backfill with a mixture of course sand and pea gravel wetted and compacted. Disturbed areas of the ground are re-graded with topsoil and seeded as required.