The Buried Footstone Mystery: Cleaning a Marker We Dug Out of 80 Years of Sod

headstone cleanning in Pennsylvania | headstone cleaning in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

I remember the first time I saw one, it was a Tuesday, late October, leaves wet and stuck to the grass. I was doing my weekly walk-through at the national cemetary, checking on the graves I've adopted. There was this old plot, Section 12, Row C — a WWII veteran I'd been meaning to clean for months. But something was off. The headstone was there, sure, but the footstone? Gone. Just a shallow dip in the ground, like a scar. I figured it had been removed or stolen. Then I kicked at the sod with my boot. Heard a solid thunk. Took me fifteen minutes with a trowel and a bucket of water to find it — a small granite marker, completely buried under 80 years of grass and soil. Felt like a grave robber, honestly. But once I pried it out, I saw the name: 'Pvt. Henry Miller, 1920-1944.' That stone had been underground since before my dad was born. And I was going to bring it back. That's when I learned that buried footstone cleaning restoration isn't just scrubbing dirt — it's archaeology, chemistry, and a whole lot of patience. So let me walk you through how I do it, so you don't make the same mistakes I did.

Step One: Digging Without Damaging

First thing: don't just jam a shovel in. You'll chip the stone or break it. I use a narrow trowel — the kind you'd use for transplanting seedlings. Start at the edge of the depression and work in a circle. Cut the sod into small squares, lift them out, and set them aside on a tarp. You'll want to put them back later. Once you expose the top of the footstone, stop digging. Switch to a stiff nylon brush (never wire) and a spray bottle of water. Gently sweep away loose dirt. If it's stuck on, soak the brush and let the water soften the crud for ten minutes. I once got impatient and used a screwdriver to pry off a clump of clay. Left a gouge in the granite. Stupid. Don't be me. Go slow. Lift the stone straight up if you can — footstones are usually smaller than headstones, maybe 12 by 8 inches, but they're heavy. I lifted one that must have weighed twenty pounds. Use your legs, not your back.

The Right Cleaner: Why I Use D/2 Biological Solution

Here's where most people mess up. They grab bleach, or that bottle of 'mold killer' from the grocery store. Big mistake. Harsh household chemicals eat into the stone's surface, especially if it's marble or limestone. I've seen footstones turn into chalky messes because someone used a strong acid cleaner. Just don't. I use D/2 Biological Solution. It's pH-neutral and non-ionic — fancy words for 'it won't destroy your stone.' The way it works is simple: good bacteria eat the biological gunk — moss, lichen, algae — without damaging the stone itself. You spray it on, let it sit for five to ten minutes (longer if the crud is thick), then scrub with a soft brush and rinse with water. I buy it in gallon jugs from a cemetery supply company. Costs about forty bucks, but one gallon does maybe forty footstones. Worth it. For tough black spots — that's usually lichen roots — I'll spray D/2, let it sit for twenty minutes, then reapply. Took me three tries on Pvt. Miller's stone. Worth it.

Cleaning Technique: Soft Pressure, Patience, and a Lot of Water

You don't need a power washer. Seriously. Pressure washers blast away the stone's patina and can pit soft stone. I use a garden hose with a spray nozzle set to 'shower.' Wet the stone first. Then apply the D/2 with a pump sprayer. Let it sit — go check another grave or just sit on the grass. I usually time myself by humming 'Taps' twice. Then scrub. I use a soft-bristle nylon brush (like a deck brush with stiff but not hard bristles) for flat surfaces. For lettering and edges, I switch to a small toothbrush. Yes, a toothbrush. The cheap kind with medium bristles. You can get into the grooves of the carved name and dates. Scrub in circles, not back-and-forth — that reduces scratching. Rinse thoroughly. If you see foam or residue, rinse again. Leftover cleaner can leave a white film. I learned that the hard way on a Korean War vet's stone. Had to re-clean it. Never again.

Drying, Re-Setting, and the Sod Trick

Once the stone is clean, let it dry completely in the sun for at least an hour. This lets you see if you missed any spots — biological stuff dries lighter. If you see dark patches, repeat the D/2 treatment. Then you have to put it back. The hole you dug will be deeper than you think because of the sod you removed. I put the footstone back in, then fill the gaps around it with the soil I dug out. Tamp it down with your hand. Then take those sod squares you saved and fit them back like a puzzle. Press them firm. Water everything lightly to settle the soil. In two weeks, you won't even know you dug there. I always mark the plot with a small flag so I don't step on the fresh sod.

A Note on Proactive Maintenance

After you clean a buried footstone, check it every few months. Grass grows fast. I've seen footstones get swallowed again within a year if you don't keep the edges trimmed. I use a manual edger — the kind with a half-moon blade — to cut a clean line around each footstone after I mow. Takes maybe thirty seconds per grave. Also, reapply D/2 once a year in early spring. Keeps the moss from getting a foothold. I do all my adopted graves in late March, before Memorial Day. The stones look sharp for the ceremonies. It's not hard. Just consistent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use vinegar or baking soda to clean a buried footstone?

A: Please don't. Vinegar is acidic and will etch soft stone like marble and limestone. Baking soda is abrasive — it'll scratch the surface, especially on polished granite. Stick with a pH-neutral, non-ionic cleaner like D/2 Biological Solution. It's designed for this exact job.

Q: What if the footstone is cracked or broken from being buried?

A: If it's just a hairline crack, you can clean it carefully — the crack doesn't affect cleaning. But if it's broken into pieces, stop cleaning and contact the cemetery office. They'll have a preservation specialist or can tell you if the stone needs profesional repair. Don't try to glue it yourself. Most adhesives aren't reversible and can cause more damage.

Q: How deep are footstones usually buried?

A: It varies. I've found them just an inch under the sod, and one that was almost six inches deep — settled over decades from soil erosion and grass growth. Most are between two and four inches deep. That's why I always start with a trowel, not a shovel. You don't want to stab the stone.

Q: Do I need to seal the footstone after cleaning to prevent future staining?

A: No. Sealing headstones or footstones is generally not recommended for outdoor markers. Sealers can trap moisture inside the stone, leading to freeze-thaw damage in winter. The D/2 treatment already slows biological growth. Just keep the stone clean and the area clear of soil buildup. That's enough.

Q: What if the footstone is made of a different material than the headstone?

A: That's common. Older footstones were often granite, even if the headstone was marble. But check: if it feels soft and chalky, it could be limestone or sandstone. For those, be extra gentle — use only a soft brush and D/2, no scrubbing hard. And never use any abrasive tool. Test a small corner first. If the stone starts to flake, stop and call a conservator.