Methodologies

Here you will find our base methodologies. These are put here for those with an interest in learning the correct way to care for stone monuments. If you are unsure of what you are doing, contact a professional for advice and or assistance with your project. Contact As Above So Below, we will be glad to provide you with the know-how, products, and or services required to see your project to a successful completion. Those who have gone before us deserve our love and respect, the goal of As Above So Below is to give that deserved love and respect.

Cleaning Methodologies

The following are general guidelines that Ralph follows when cleaning a monument.

Start each Headstone, Monument or Marker Project the same way, take a BEFORE picture of all sides first then begin by accessing if it’s safe to work on for both YOU and for the STONE. Several factors need to immediately be taken in to account:

• Is it stone loose, wobbly or ready to fall etc.? (PERSONAL SAFETY)
• Is the stone material deteriorating enough to peel or flake off causing more damage than good? (DO NO HARM)

The following are the recommended industry standards, and the methods employed by As Above So Below when cleaning a monument or headstone.

• Edge around boundaries of the project removing weeds,grass and dirt exposing all the edges and corners of the base. Using various tools, from a plastic trowel to weedeaters and even leaf blowers to access stone from top to bottom.
• If the stone is extremely neglected or thickly coated in lichen and mold then rinse, then apply a 50/50 split of water and Orvus Paste then scrub the stone with a safe brush. Rinse very thoroughly and then start the D2 process.
• Rinse with Spring Water (not tap water, it has too many additives i.e., bleach)
• Mist with 100% D2 (a safe cleaning agent for headstones) and let sit for a couple of minutes to soak in.
• Using a tampico or horsehair brush, gently rubbing the lichen, mold and dirt until it’s gone, occasionally misting with water and/or D2 to keep the stone wet.
• Rinse thoroughly and reapply D2 and leave it. Taking an AFTER picture to show how you left the stone.
• Return a day or two later and repeat the process if needed.
• Always rinse very well between applications.

For a list of tools and products we use see the list of tools and products we use.

Restoring Military Markers

Working With Bases

Tablet Sets

• Most Tablet Sets are going to be having a sinking problem, will be knocked over on the ground, or they will be broken out of their base and in several pieces.
• Properly clean the Tablet and prepare the hole/base that it will be replaced into.
• When resetting use the rule of thirds, which is to place 1/3 of the Tablet into the ground with remaining 2/3 showing. Using a hoist lift method is the safest and most supportive for the stone. Adding crushed limestone on the bottom and tamping into place firms it up and gets you off to a good start.
• Add gravel as you go while tamping it in place also. Place the stone in and square it up adding more gravel and sand mix will help with drainage. Add a top layer of soil/sod when done and as a final measure of respect sprinkle some grass seed down around.
• Do not use concrete, this only places a softer stone into a much stronger rigid material which means when it gets bumped by a mower the Tablet usually snaps off at point of meeting the concrete.

Slotted Bases

• Properly clean the headstone and prepare the slotted base or if needed make a slotted base based on the dimensions of the headstone. Place cleaned headstone on table or boards while preparing hole and slotted base.
• Level the base digging out the hole, rearranging and removing or adding material and tamping it into place giving it a firm base to sit on. Fill in dirt around sides of base, tamping it in as you go.
• Mix up setting mortar and use leveling spacers if needed. Trowel in mortar and place headstone in slot ensuring enough mortar is in place to squeeze out somewhat from the weight. Adjust the clamps and stakes making sure the headstone is plumb. Remove excess mortar and use a pointing tool to give a slight angle off the headstone so rain flows away from the headstone.
• Check back in a few day to ensure mortar is fully set, recheck for plumb and remove the clamps and stakes and touch up any areas of concern. Once again as a sign of respect, it’s always good to sprinkle some grass seed around.

Multi-Piece Monuments

• Safety is the number one priority when working with multi-piece Monuments. Do not get in a hurry, take your time and always double check your equipment. Whenever possible, ensure there is more than one person present for the project.
• These are stakes pieces of monument usually of different sizes and shapes placed together on top of one another. Some will have pins but others rely just on gravity or mortar seal of some type between the layers. This is where the hoist and straps along with safety come into play.
• Over the years we’ve seen numerous types of bonding agents used between the layers that almost always fail. Construction adhesive, gorilla glue, Pratley Putty, and even concrete.
• A premixed 3.5 lime mortar is considered the easiest and most effective overall. It can be ordered in multiple colors and is available online at www.limeworks.us and is called Ecologic Mortar.
• Some people will place epoxy between the layers especially if no pins are present in an attempt to get a stronger bond. In reality this will block the natural wicking action of the stone and create vapor barriers. Again, the best method is a thin lime mortar between the pieces and leveling spacers.
• As always finish off with sprinkling a good amount of grass seed around. I recommend a good hearty Kentucky Tall Fescue as it’s darker and fuller than regular grass and looks alot more respectable in my humble opinion.