The memory of a loved one who has left us has a material expression in the form of a tombstone. There are many specialized companies involved in their manufacture and installation. And if the first part of the process is in principle impossible without special equipment, then the second is not particularly difficult. Do-it-yourself monument installation can be done with a minimum of skills and without any special tool.
Before performing this procedure, you need to withstand the time required for the shrinkage of the soil. In the middle lane, it is at least one year. The installation of granite monuments is carried out on a concrete base, which is cast on site from a mixture prepared in advance. For work, we need some building materials, tools and devices for determining the level.
Preparations
The installation of monuments in the cemetery is carried out in agreement with the administration. When carrying out workyou must be extremely careful not to damage neighboring burials. To install the tombstone, we need grade 500 cement, sifted and washed quarry sand, fine gravel or expanded clay and process water. From the tools you will need bayonet and shovel shovels, a construction level, a cord, pegs, a tape measure and a hammer.
The installation of monuments with your own hands begins with the layout of the site and digging trenches under the foundation beams. With pegs and a cord, we mark the position of the recesses with a mandatory check of the diagonals. A removable wooden formwork is installed along the perimeter, which is made of edged boards and connected with nails and spacers. The top edge must protrude above the ground and be strictly horizontal.
Filling the base
Ideally, a concrete mixer is used to prepare the mortar. If it is not available, this action can also be performed manually in a suitable container or on a sheet of metal. We pour one part of cement into three parts of sand and six parts of filler and begin to mix everything with a shovel. Add water in small portions until a mixture is formed in a consistency close to sour cream of medium density.
Do-it-yourself installation of monuments should be done carefully, especially when pouring the base. We move the finished solution with a shovel or bucket into the formwork prepared in advance. In the process of pouring, we seal using any means at hand: trimming reinforcement or a metal rod. This action is necessary in order to avoid the formation of voids in the base.
Tombstone installation
A concrete foundation pad is being made at the feet of the grave, which, in fact, serves as the basis for the pedestal. Its surface must be strictly horizontal and have sufficient thickness. This will allow not only to correctly install the monument in an upright position, but also to ensure its stability for many years.
Do-it-yourself installation of monuments is carried out on a cement-sand mixture with the introduction of steel reinforcing rods. Their number is different, but not less than three units. After completion of work and hardening of the solution, the formwork is disassembled. Prepared and fertilized soil is poured into the flower garden. The installation of the tombstone is over, and the memory of the deceased will remain for a long time.
