Thread: Help with tombstone pvc+rebar anchors....

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Hey guys. I was browsing around some old threads on how people anchor their foam (or similar material) tombstones to prevent them from getting blown away in the wind.

I found a popular method where a hollow sheath, usually pvc pipe is attached to the back of the tombstone. Anchors, usually wood or rebar, are then placed in the ground. The tombstone is then aligned to the rebar anchors so the the anchors sticking out of the ground are inserted into the pvc pipe, therefore anchoring the tombstone to the ground.

Here's a post I found:

Originally Posted by sprfly

I use the same method - PVC and wooden dowels. Not one problem yet, unless you mean the teenagers that stole a couple last year. I have something planned for them this year if they come back...muhahahaha!

[color=lime]Here's basically what I do:

And here are some pictures I found on google (not mine):






Given all that... I have some questions.

Is the pvc sheath simply glued on to the back of the tombstone?
What kind of adhesive/glue would work best to glue the pvc onto plain syrofoam tombstones? Would glue from a hot glue gun work well?
Is one of these fixtures (pvc with rebar anchor) typically okay for smaller tombstones or are two always necessary?

Thanks for the help!

I run a bead of hot glue down length of PVC then run a heavy bead up both sides.Smaller ones are good with 1 larger may need 2.You can also use electric conduit to beat into the ground then drill a hole thru both pvc and conduit and lastly run a zip tie thru the hole for a little extra security.

You can also, just get a can of spray foam from the hardware store and spray a bead or two on the back of the tombstone where the pvc is running. The spray foam will bond to the tombstone foam and the pvc. Or you could also just encapsulate the pvc to the tombstone on the back. This will make the pvc basically part of the tombstone.

I did exactly what you've shown in the first picture, except I put another piece of foam on the back. I created the tombstone face, then on the back I hollowed out a space for the PVC and glued it in place. Then I took an identically shaped piece of foam, hollowed out a space for the PVC and glued it to the back side.

I'm worried about storing the tombstones. I simply bang rebar into the ground. I set the tombstone up against the rebar and poke small gauge wire through the front of the headstone. Then I twist the wire around the rebar. The wire is too small to see at night and I usually pick a spot where it is hidden in the design.

Once the season is over I remove the wire and everything stores flat again.

I looked at something like this when I started doing tombstones and decided to put the pvc pip inside the tombstone. It stores better and I don't have to worry about it just popping off the back.

Originally Posted by skullboy

I run a bead of hot glue down length of PVC then run a heavy bead up both sides.Smaller ones are good with 1 larger may need 2.You can also use electric conduit to beat into the ground then drill a hole thru both pvc and conduit and lastly run a zip tie thru the hole for a little extra security.

skullboy, does the hot glue melt the styrofoam?

That last picture is of my tombstone. We've never had a tombstone fall over, blow away, or break using this method. I used Liquid Nails specifically designed for foam and didn't have any issues with it eating away at the styrofoam.

I always use the Liquid Nails Construction Adhesive in a caulking gun to attach my PVC to tombstones.
Never had one come loose yet. It also holds strong on the blue and pink styrofoam.

Gotcha, thank you. Not that it matters much that my Dollar Tree or Walgreens tombstones get blown away lol but this seems like such a great idea.