Broken monument becomes whole again

This is a headstone in the Sanford cemetery that needed a lot of help! I was told by a volunteer that she didn’t think it could be fixed….. but for those of you that know me, I am a persistent SOB and I never give up!
If would like to send me mail my mailing address is:
PO BOX 1071
Midland MI, 48641
If you would like to email me please send to: [e-mail]
If you would like to donate to my channel you can do so here:
PayPal.Me/Jfrosty1223 or [e-mail] on PayPal.
Any donations will go toward the cleaning and restoration of Veteran Grave markers

[@noodles3641]

I just found out that there's an old cemetery not to far from where I live and I went to see it. When I got there most of the headstones were broken and covered with dirt and other things. It really broke my heart because most of them were babies or toddlers. I am watching this video to try and learn how to fix them. Thank you for posting this❤❤

[@Headstoneman]

Be sure to check out some of my other videos too. I tried to put a few together that showed different circumstances

[@noodles3641]

@@Headstoneman i absolutely will. Thank you so much🙏

[@susanhaney3437]

Make sure you talk to the owner of the cemetery before you do any work

[@virginiaasher9781]

Bless your heart

[@scottemery4737]

Noodles, you should try to get with someone who does this. No video will replace actual hands-on experience.

[@misszsazsa6288]

You've done a beautiful job on this headstone. Thank you for your care and attention to each detail of this work! ❤

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you very much!

[@fw4771]

I am sure the person who completed the prior repair had very good intensions and used the materials they had at the time to make the stone once again stand upright.

[@Headstoneman]

I think you are probably right

[@misszsazsa6288]

Fresh cut flowers! How interesting! 🎉

[@darlenemahaven9297]

You did a awesome job. Thank you.

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you

[@beckysnead8914]

What a remarkable job. I'm sure you get a lot of satisfaction with your work. It's just exceptional.

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you very much!

[@williamkaczmarek3996]

You really did a great job restoring that stone. Thank you for using your time and talent (and probably treasure) to accomplish this work. Once the families die off, there's no one left to take care of them.

[@kuraito1346]

Respect the gravestones. They use to live here just like us before they had to leave the living to return to the afterlife.

[@bret9741]

Thank you sir. It means a lot to me that you’re caring for the past.

[@annabrahamson4320]

My dad worked at a church and sold stones for a company. Sometimes families replaced broken old ones.

[@Out-to-Pastor]

The scrubbing may not have shown immediate effect. However, it definitely helped work the solution into more of the grooves. Great job love it.

[@lillypad9960]

Thank you, sir, for your hard work and thoughtfulness. Blessings from Michigan.

[@Headstoneman]

Hello fellow Michigander!

[@larrylupton6898]

There's a certain amount of pleasure in doing this type work for some unknown reason

[@annabrahamson4320]

My dad worked at a church and sold stones for a company. Sometimes families replaced broken old ones.

[@annabrahamson4320]

My dad worked at a church and sold stones for a company. Sometimes families replaced broken old ones.

[@1Akai1]

You do amazing work. Thank you.

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@SandyDenney-so5ms]

Great work. Impressive. Many blessings!

[@lorrainelevi7872]

Beautiful restoration work.

[@gydaanderson332]

This looks so much better it brought tears to my eyes.🌹

[@natalieharris5030]

I haven't seen them all, but I would imagine this was one of your best jobs yet. Well done!!

[@Headstoneman]

I am pretty proud of this one!

[@lynnwaters2557]

Looks so much better.

[@scottjohnson6173]

That was an Awesome restoration job! Well Done.

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you! It’s probably one of my favorites to date!

[@CarlStJohn-x9w]

Great caring job ! ❤

[@timothyshortnacy7550]

Excellent job mate! I like you show the end result. It looked really nice.

[@cmc300m]

Amazing work!

[@jedivlix]

Awesome job! Bless you!

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you!

[@WintersCry]

I’m watching this two years after the repair. I’d really love to see how it’s holding up. Please. Thanks ~ Angela

[@Headstoneman]

I am slowly finishing this repair… it has required a ton of attention.

[@larrylupton6898]

You did a find job it looks great

[@ritad673]

My grandmother used Mason jars as vases to take flowers to the gravesite of my grandfather. I imagine glass jars and vases are not used anymore, but I'm sure they were used way back when.

[@Headstoneman]

I bet you are right!

[@verdagarner5112]

Looks amazing good job, I worked at a cemetery for 10 years, always felt bad for the broken head stones. My brothers did help me straighten a lot of them up.

[@Headstoneman]

There are so many that have broken and fallen over over the years…. And even more that are completely covered by grass and dirt

[@MrJeep75]

Nice job, god bless

[@srudie]

I love how you were able to return this stone to such a great repair!!

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you!

[@scottemery4737]

We use a couple of cheap, plastic sawhorses and 2x4s to make a waist high work bench. It's easier to work with. And after you clean one side and you flip it over, it doesn't go back into the mud you just washed off of it.

[@Headstoneman]

I’ve seen some people do that. I prefer to do everything on the ground. That way I dont have to cart around saw horses and a sheet of something to work on

[@BobbiJo]

This looks great! Awesome job.

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you!

[@darrinjackson470]

Looks really good

[@Headstoneman]

It does!

[@vonitadustylgreen2914]

That is so amazing. God bless you.

[@Headstoneman]

You’re welcome!

[@echo2893]

Amazing 👏 great job 🙂

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you!

[@janecrist8406]

It looks great. Very impressed.

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you!

[@raeannuria5691]

Incredible work!!

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you! I’m pretty proud of that one!

[@katsierra4476]

Great job 👍

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you!

[@kennethhuber3658]

Absolutely amazing! You are an artist.

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you so much 😀

[@marvinjohnson424]

Very nice job and it looks great 👍🇺🇸

[@Headstoneman]

Thanks 👍

[@lesley.brennan10]

What a blessing

[@Headstoneman]

Thank you!

[@debjones6291]

Great job!

[@Headstoneman]

Thanks ma!

[@AmericansAtLarge]

So awesome ❤️🇺🇸

[@Headstoneman]

I’m getting cabin fever over here! Can’t wait til spring!

[@belleskyemonuments6221]

VERY COOL, I', INOT RETORATION AND AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT WAYS TO ADDRESS DIFFERENT RESTORATIONS. THANK YOU FOR POSTING, I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT POSTING MY RESTORATIONS AS WELL BUT JUST HAVEN'T DONE IT YET. GUESS I NEED A DECENT CAMERA FIRST :)

[@Headstoneman]

I started posting my work when I realized how little free info there was out there… I am to change the direction that our historic cemeteries are heading in…. And if I can get a few helpers along the way that’s great!

[@blanchesplace]

Love how you demonstrated not having to fix a stone in one day! What product did you use for the infill?

[@Headstoneman]

I’ve tried a few different materials over the years… Lithomex from Limeworks seems to be the best. Also… I’m still working on this one a little bit at a time

[@kevinsteinmiller8115]

Y’all sure know your stuff

[@Headstoneman]

I’ve got a lot to learn… but I’ve got nothing but time to do it

[@bobmcnelis3648]

Much love and respect for your efforts! Please do yourself a favor and try the “Wet it and Forget it” alternative method. It’s now been approved by the National Cemetery Association, and it will reduce the workload, and expenses. I’ve been using it 5 years now, with not one failure, or damage to a single monument Again, Love and Respect! We need the next generation to pick up this activity, to take our places on this most honorable service to honor our fallen heroes.

[@Headstoneman]

I use D/2. Wet and forget has not been thoroughly tested for long term damage on marble. D/2 has… and it works much better

[@bobmcnelis3648]

@@Headstoneman Wet and Forget has been authorized by the National Cemetery Association. Has been for several years.

[@vermasean]

Nice work; Obligatory 👍 and Sub’d ▶️

[@cmc300m]

What products were used for epoxy and infill? Thank you

[@Headstoneman]

Akemi Akepox 5010 epoxy and St. Astiers Lithomex for infill

[@Nona-ty1ki]

When a stone is badly damaged,why can’t it be replicated and replaced?

[@Headstoneman]

It could be… but it would not be wise to replace the Mona Lisa if it got damaged… you can’t replace original artwork and still value it the same

[@billbammerlin4666]

I’m the last one in my family to care for our deceased lone ones. I’m sure when I’m gone nobody will continue my care or take car of my final resting place. What kind of epoxies do you use?

[@Headstoneman]

I use knifegrade epoxy called Akemi akepox 2010 or 5010

[@RHovis]

What epoxy are you using. I have a family headstone i would like to repair.

[@Headstoneman]

I use akepox 5010 epoxy. Good strong stuff. I think I show it in the video.

[@jhitt79]

Where is this cemetery located?

[@Headstoneman]

Midland Michigan

[@kimchee94112]

Easier take the broken pieces to the shop high pressure wash and put it back together.

[@Headstoneman]

No high pressure wash… and why would I take it home when I can just put it back together in place

[@kimchee94112]

@@Headstoneman It's about speed, control enviroment with know consistent quality outcome rather than fooling around with it for a few days on site depending on the weather and such.

[@Headstoneman]

@kimchee94112 there is absolutely nothing about this work that is about speed… it’s about taking your time and doing it right. One of these restorations takes about a week… and that’s doing it the right way.

[@kimchee94112]

@@Headstoneman Speed and quality are not mutually exclusive. In fact you could knock out a new headstone with a CNC machine in a few hours.

[@joycegifford8826]

The appropriate thing to do with all stone that have fallen is to leave them be and or clean up the weeds/debris; take a picture and make note of all legible information to put on a National graveyard data base/local archive. Do gooders, such as yourself and others are doing more harm than good. The cleaning products are not appropriate and the repair products are not appropriate due to stone composition etc… Unless you are a trained/qualified monument specialist mind your own business.

[@Headstoneman]

Ok… well you obviously don’t have a clue what you are talking about…

[@DECemeterian]

_Nancy, then do tell, what happens to marble headstones when left flat on the ground, like this one?_ Some say, you know, those who have a general knowledge of a process called _"sugaring",_ unlike yourself, know that limestone or marble headstones left on the ground will cause sugaring to the stone exposed to the earth. Which in turn causes the marble to crumble and deteriorate faster that if it was standing upright. So, those who know, unlike yourself, fully understand that resetting the headstone upright is the best practice to prolong the life of the headstone. *_But you do you, negative Nancy..._*

[@riksstuff.6429]

@@DECemeterian sugaring occurs when the stone is upright as well, it is caused by acid rain. If the headstone is face down the marble, and therefore the information, will be preserved better. This can be seen when removing stones that have been set into the ground, the underground part isn't weathered. At least when the stone is laying flat it can't fall and hurt anyone. This berk is standing old stones back up with just epoxy - it's just plain reckless.

[@DECemeterian]

​@@riksstuff.6429- Seems you haven't spent much time observing marble headstones, even those facedown on the ground. _As an FYI - historical marble headstones, when first placed (new) actually looked as polished as the granite headstones we see today. But sadly time has taken its toll._ Also, You need to decide if the "sugaring" is caused by "acid rain" or "weathering", as you state both in your comment. As one is commonly known as an industrial/chemical cause, and the other is commonly known as an natural environmental cause. While "sugaring" can occur on standing marble, it's most predominant where the stone is in a constant wet environment, like laying largely on the ground. Standing marble headstones don't show much sugaring, even in the area buried below ground, as the water can weep faster away from the stone into the ground. The sugaring happens where a larger surface of the stone stands in the constant wet environment longer, such as laying down, allowing the natural remover of the minerals over a larger area. Also the quality of the natural stone itself. Any stone conservationist will say marble headstones will, over time, dissolve with its natural exposure to the environment. But the flat exposed surface of a headstone laying on the ground will erode faster than one standing as there is more surface area exposed to the ground. Also the known *_"mower effect",_* also known as a heavy lawn mower, is a constant danger to historical marble headstones laying flat on the ground and is the leading cause for their breaking or cracking. While modern cement is discouraged for restoration of historical headstones, the epoxy they use is one of the acceptable epoxies recommended for use during repair of marble headstones. So no, *_It's not plain reckless._* Maybe, just maybe, it's YOU that should educate Yourself, before casting judgment, or the proverbial stone!

[@riksstuff.6429]

​@@DECemeterian Yep, lots of experience of marble headstones and my assessment is correct from working on monolith stones that have been fitted directly into the ground. Above ground sugared, below ground not sugared. The effect is more noticeable on memorials with lead-infilled letters. Cement has a long 'track record', epoxy does not, apart from the record already noted. Any memorial erected/repaired without a mechanical (i.e. dowels) fixing is liable to sudden catastrophic failure.

[@riksstuff.6429]

"the epoxy they used didn't hold" So you have put it back together with just epoxy. I hope a child is nowhere near when your repair fails.

[@Headstoneman]

They didn’t use knifegrade epoxy… they used liquid nails, two totally different products

[@riksstuff.6429]

@@Headstoneman you use neat cement and stainless steel dowels to join memorial stones.

[@Headstoneman]

Absolutely not

[@tomsackett4497]

pretty childish of you to bad mouth the people who tried to fix it years ago

[@Headstoneman]

Pretty childish of you to come here and leave only this comment

[@tomsackett4497]

You just proved my comment

[@Headstoneman]

@@tomsackett4497 not at all… the thing is this… the repairs that were done did nothing but cause more damage… and wasn’t effective. You pointing out my disgust with that wasn’t really needed because I openly displayed my disgust in the video. The fact that you came here and made that comment and nothing else proves that you are a troll and only wanted to rile me up. Which honestly I couldn’t care less what you think.

[@Headstoneman]

@@tomsackett4497 your opinion means nothing to me. This is purely an educational and entertainment video. If the only thing you have to comment on is my view of the prior “repair” then you missed the point of the video.

[@davidbrooking2734]

I really look forward to seeing your videos & working on headstones 🪦 you do such a great job 👏 I love the history it's wonderful to see that these people are respected and not forgotten to be restored

[@Headstoneman]

Be sure to go back and watch my old videos! Lots of good stuff there!

[@davidbrooking2734]

@@Headstoneman I have seen a few of your past videos I enjoyed them so much I subscribed and I wait anticipation for your next video I often check to see if you hv posted anything again even though I'm subscribed I hate to miss out I brought a new smart TV wth utube now im a utube addicted 🤣🤣 I sit up hours watching videos like yours & Serenity Sue grave visitations ect I think you are the best because of the work you do & content

[@davidbrooking2734]

@@Headstoneman oh yeah I think abt years ago I tried to tidy up family plot the head stone it marble I feel so bad now I white washed it wth water based paint 😖😔 I dnt know I was doing any harm to it it looked clean at the time OMG I regret it now watching you clean work on head stones it was 10 years ago I dnt know better I feel so bad about it so I'm grateful to meet you on utube so I can see not to do put white wash on marble stone its peeling off now

[@Headstoneman]

@@davidbrooking2734 if you enjoy history you should check out @TheHistoryUnderground… it’s the best channel on KZbin

[@Headstoneman]

kzbin.info