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Archiver > CEMETERY > 2000-03 > 0951905497


From: "Linda Menikos" <>
Subject: Re: [Old Bones CEMETERY-L] leaning tombstones
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 04:11:37 -0600


Thanks Philip & Ruthie, I will consider all these things you have said and
see what seems to be the best in our particular circumstances. I may get
back with other questions after I have thought these through.

Linda

----- Original Message -----
From: Philip Van Camp <>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2000 12:02 AM
Subject: Re: [Old Bones CEMETERY-L] leaning tombstones


> Passing thought ... the California Dept. of Transportation has an
elegant
> solution to concrete roadway that sinks. They call it "mudjacking".
They
> have a huge truck, & they park near the low spot on a slab. Then a hole
> about 3" dia ) is drilled. they attach a high pressure hose, & pump in a
> special mix of concrete under enough pressure to raise the pavement level.
> The hole is closed (I don't know that part), & the concrete cures in about
> three hours (that's why it's special). To bad the truck is to big / heavy
> to ever go in a cemetery.
>
> © Phil Van Camp,
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ruth Shapleigh-Brown <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 7:36 PM
> Subject: Re: [Old Bones CEMETERY-L] leaning tombstones
>
>
> > Philip
> >
> > You certainly have put a lot of thought into this. And your advice and
> > comments are good.
> > I answered Linda privately as I should be "sleeping" instead of trying
> > to read these messages with the cold bug I have.
> > However I will reply with this. Taking in all your considerations of
> > what kind of stone and stability of the ground under and around the
> > stone.
> > Good observations.
> > Large and heavy stones would need equipment.
> > If it is manageable for two or three sets of strong hands then this
> > method will apply.
> > A tripod, using a block and tackle (or chain fall) with canvas strapping
> > is what we use. (your correct - chains against the stone will cause
> > great damage)
> > A supply of two X fours for leverage and leaning the stone on if needed.
> > To stabilize ground underneath stone - use pea stone or gravel, lots of
> > water. Not sand. Sand can mix with stone, but never sand alone. You put
> > stone in, water it down, and tamp it - repeat until it's a firm as
> > possible. Then work the base back in place. And or set stone around base
> > if deep enough in ground to warrant this.
> > I've worked with bases set in concrete! Ask my husband and fellow
> > cousins how we could NOT lift and re-settle a leaning stone, that when
> > we dug around and under the base, found it had been imbedded in a very
> > large slab of concrete.
> > Most often these stones will lean, tilt or fall over because as you say,
> > tree roots that have pushed it (in which case the tree root has to go or
> > the stone moved away), many times it can be animals that have tunneled
> > under collapsing the soil, or just soil settling after years of earth
> > movement or the coffin collapsing.
> >
> > Evaluate the situation - think it through - and go accordingly.
> >
> > Ruthie in Connecticut
> >
> > Philip Van Camp wrote:
> > >
> > > A number of questions arise ....
> > > why are they leaning ? Has the ground been too soft & subsided on one
> side,
> > > or has everywhere subsided but some more that other ? Have roots
grown
> > > under it & pushed one side up ? Is the lean because it was pushed ?
> > > Basically, you have two problems a) lifting the stone up, & b)
> repairing
> > > the soil so that it is stable, & the stone will stay level.
> > > You probably cannot bring a crane (even a tow truck) to the scene.
> Though
> > > if no one would object, & the ground is hard enough you might consider
> that.
> > > If currently active, does the cemetery have a backhoe & would they
> cooperate
> > > in the lifting & replacing.
> > > What is the material & condition of the stone ?
> > > Can it be lifted directly (Granite) , or is it fragile (old sandstone,
> or
> > > slate) that will need to be cradled, & the cradle lifted. BTW, I
> suggest
> > > that you at least consult a local crane operator (check the yellow
> pages, or
> > > the union hall. Maybe they'd be interested in being mentioned in a
> > > community service news article. If you are going to try a direct lift
> such
> > > as with chain around the base, & upright part, you MUST have adequate
> > > protection or you WILL cause damage. Lengths of salvage fire hose
work
> > > good, especially if you can get two sizes, & double layer it. Also,
> have at
> > > least a dozen pieces of 2x4x10 to place where the chain bears on the
> stone.
> > > Lifting ... absent the backhoe, or tow truck ... depending on the
> height of
> > > the stone, a towable engine hoist from a rental yard will work, & is
> safe,
> > > because if the stone is to heavy, it just won't lift. If the stone is
> to
> > > tall, a Boy Scout style tripod will work with a chain fall, or a
cable
> type
> > > "come along". The latter all say "not for dead lift", but that's
'cause
> > > they're afraid of lawyers. But where the scouts' tripod is lashed
with
> > > rope, use chain. Cheap 2x4's are probably ok for a couple of
hundred
> > > pounds. Good 2x4's might go up to 400 lbs. More than that, go to a
> steel
> > > dealer & get some big pipe (loan?). Since the load is in compression,
> the
> > > 2x4's don't have to be perfect, but absolutely no splits, & no knots
> > > bigger than 1/4 the size of the wood, & no knots within one diameter
of
> the
> > > edge. A few small knots on an edge are probably ok.
> > > If you've got a vehicle with a heavy duty winch, you might hook that
to
> the
> > > tripod.
> > > Surface preparation ... If wet is a major problem, consider digging a
> > > fairly larger & deeper hole & putting concrete in to about 2" above
the
> > > ground. If wet is a moderate problem, dig the hole, & fill it with
> gravel.
> > > Get some concrete border pieces at a building supply, or nursery so
you
> can
> > > mound the gravel above the ground & contain it. If wet is no
problem,
> put
> > > on some leather gloves, & use a 2x4 to pound the dirt down hard as you
> > > backfill the location. Put in maybe 2" at a time & pound it hard
until
> your
> > > hands hurt, then let the next person take a turn.
> > > When it's fixed, you want it to stay fixed !!
> > >
> > > © Phil Van Camp,
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Linda Menikos <>
> > > To: <>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 3:23 AM
> > > Subject: [Old Bones CEMETERY-L] leaning tombstones
> > >
> > > > OK, all you wonderful experts, here I am again asking for advice.
In
> the
> > > > cemetery we are restoring there are three stones with heavy bases
> about
> > > 6-8
> > > > inches thick that are leaning and we need to know the easiest and
> best
> > > way
> > > > to get them on an even keel again.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Linda
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
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