Click Here For a Free Guide "Everything You Need to Know about  Memorials" by Jim Pollard
Telephone 01676 534618

It is rare to have issues with memorials but here are the

Top 5 Headstone Problems, and Their Solutions.

1. The Dreaded Spelling Mistake.

It can happen! With the best will in the world, mistakes can happen. So how do we avoid this? Firstly a computer print-out of how the stone will look will help to highlight any spelling errors. 

This is how a computer print-out looks, showing a scaled setting out of all the inscription and how it fits on the stone. Any errors are much more obvious than just a hand-written order form

Solution : If there is a spelling mistake on the stone, your memorial mason should rectify it (although some will say that it's not their fault so they will want to charge). The only real solution is to re-face the memorial (by grounding down and re-polishing,) and re-lettering the stone.  'Filling', or 'dishing out' the mistake are not good practice, and should be avoided.

2. The Headstone Cracks.

If the headstone cracks, it is usually after a period of months. A crack is often where a hole has been drilled for a dowel, to fit the memorial together, but has been done using an impact hammer drill rather than a diamond core drill and water. The impact and heat generated can cause a hairline crack which widens over time.  Holes should be drilled with diamond core drills and water to cool the stone so that it doesn't crack.

Solution : This is a manufacturing fault, and any affected parts should be replaced (free of charge). Filling or repairing may leave the memorial unsafe.

3. Scratches or Chips.

There should be no scratches or chips on your (new) memorial. You wouldn't accept it on a new car. However, scratches can happen with mowers and diggers operating in cemeteries, and should your mason remove your stone to add an inscription, he should inform you of any existing damage before removing the stone.

Solution : New stones with chips or scratches should be repaired or replaced (free of charge). If there is existing damage on a stone this can be rectified, but at a cost. There is Memorial Insurance available for both new and existing stones, but existing stones in Cemeteries or Churchyards will have to be inspected before the insurance is granted.

4. Delivery delays.

A lot of memorials in the UK come from abroad (often India or China), and are transported on container ships. Bad weather or difficulties at ports can cause delays. The average delivery time is around 12 weeks, but can be 14 or 16 weeks or longer. There is nothing your memorial mason can do if this occurs.

Solution : Wait patiently, the memorial is going to be there, probably forever, so a week or two won't make a great deal of difference in the long run. However, if you want to guarantee the stone to be there for a specific date, then order a stone that is already in this country that your mason (or one of his suppliers) has 'in stock'.

5. The Headstone tips or leans.

When headstones are fitted they are upright and level, but sometimes, after a period of time a headstone will 'tip' or 'lean'. Although this is unsightly, on a stone fitted within the last 10 years, it shouldn't be unsafe, as there should be a ground anchor, which secures the memorial to the earth, and stainless steel dowels securing the headstone to the base.

Solution : If the headstone has been fitted in the last 10 years, then your mason should be able to upright it without necessarily having to take it apart.(If it's a Pollard Memorials stone then we will do this for free - our name is on the stone!) On older memorials the foundation and dowels may not be up to today's standards and may need to be changed. There will be a cost to this. Get several quotes, as prices vary greatly.

An illustration of a "Headstone Ground Anchor System"

When choosing a mason look for accreditations like the National Association of Memorial Masons (NAMM) or other recognised organisations like the FSB, BRAMM or City and Guilds (or all four!)

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Pollard Memorials, 326 Kenilworth Road

Balsall Common, West Midlands

CV7 7ER

01676 534618

email: team@pollardmemorials.co.uk