Part4-Repair: Werker-Stalagmite Repair 461 Section B-Repairing Speleothems

Stalagmite Repair Jim C. Werker

Most stalagmites, even totems, can be repaired if the mating pieces are available. Methods vary from simple stacking procedures to more complex Stalagmite Repair: repair techniques using epoxy, stabilization pins, and bracing devices. Little Stack to Heal evidence of damage is apparent after most repairs are completed. • Simply restack the pieces.

o Make sure each joint mates and conforms Stack It and Hope It Heals properly . • Active drips may heal Sometimes a really simple repair strategy works for stalagmites. Ifwater is the break lines. actively dripping on broken speleothems, tit the pieces back in place and allow mineral deposition and time to take course. Stalagmite Repair: Epoxy and Stack Epoxy and Stack • First, stack the pieces and confirm the fit. At repair sites with no healing drips, or in locations where repairs may • Clean and dry the require reinforcement, clean the broken joints and use an approved archival break joints. epoxy such as Epon1t Resin 828 with a Vers3midllJ or Epi-cure'RJ3234 curing • Apply a very thin layer agent. (See cave-safe epoxies and adhesives, pages 445-447.) of archival epoxy to the base. Starting from the center, apply a thin layer of epoxy on the broken base or • Align and stack. stump of the stalagmite. To avoid oozing along the seam, do not spread the • Brace if necessary. epoxy all the way to the edges. Fit the upper section into place, and allow • Allow time for the several days for thorough curing. For multiple breaks, sometimes several epoxy to set and dry.

Stalagmite Repair-Epoxy and Stack

Figure I. Spread a thin layer of ar- Figure 2. Click-tit the upper piece Figure 3. The epoxy has set and the chival epoxy on the clean, dry sur- onto the base and allow several days repair is complete. The stalagmite face of the stalagmite stump. for the epoxy to thoroughly cure. stands again. 462 Cave Conservation and Restoration

Mating Speleothem broken stalagmite sections can be rcstacked during one session (Figures 1, Pieces 2, and 3). John A. French and Paul J. Meyer Stalagmite Repair-Pin and Epoxy The owner of a small commercial cave once When a broken stalagmite is in a high-traffic or precarious area where it is described a simple, but likely to be damaged again, drill a center hole in the upper and lower questionable method of mating sections and use an archival epoxy to secure a stainless steel formation repair. On stabilization pin. For tilted, leaning, or top-heavy stalagmite breaks. finding a broken-off reinforce repairs with stainless all-thread rods. (See repair photo sequence orphan stalagmite, he would simply jam the end ofa stalagmite on a slope, pages 443-444.) into a mud bank where a Make certain the broken pieces fit and align properly, clean and dry the small hole indicated a break joints, and mark center guide dots for drilling. (For techniques on steady drip from the marking the pieces to facilitate alignment, see page 455.) In the upper ceiling. section of the broken stalagmite, drill a hole the diameter of the stainless While the purist will all-thread pin. Clean out the drill dust with canned air and a small hrush. wince at this parody of Apply epoxy to the pin, insert the pin in the drill hole, and allow curing to serious renovation, it begin while drilling the lower section. illustrates a problem. It is Drill a slightly oversized hole in the lower section, remove the drill dust. not always possible to and half till the hole with epoxy. Apply a thin layer of epoxy to the broken find a stalagmite stump that matches the upper joint of the lower piece, but avoid spreading it all the way to the edges or part of the formation. goo will ooze from the seam and create cleanup challenges. Fit the upper On the other hand, and lower pieces together and brace if necessary until the epoxy cures. Add when a match can be final texturing to match or mimic the original surfaces of the stalagmite. found, a simple set-in- place method can be the easiest type of repair. The mating parts are often easy to identify by size, shape, color, and surface texture. When placed one on the other, and adjusted, there is often a satisfying tactile Stalagmite Repair-Pin and Epoxy feedback when the two surfaces seem to snap together. The match is obvious Drill hole to achieve a light fil for the pin. when the broken edges Epoxy pin into upper portion first. conform properly and the alignment looks and feels right. Color of the two sections may vary if they have been separated for a long time, but the Break surface textures- knobby, smooth, rough, Drill an oversized pitted, and so on-should ole in the base 10 facilitate alignment. be in good agreement. Half-fill with epoxy. Part 4-Repair: Werker-Stalagmite Repair 463

Figure 4. After drilling Stalagmite Repair: a hole in the center of the upper portion of a Pin and Epoxy broken stalagmite. epoxy a stainless steel • Match the pieces and all.thread stabilization adjust for a sure fit. pin in place with ErOll • Cut part of the tip off a 828 and Epi-cure 3234 black indelible fell-tip (TETA) curing agent. marker. • Place the marker lip in the center 01 the broken base . • Align and set the top onto the base and check the fit-black ink marks will remain on both pieces to guide the drill. • Drill the top piece to create a tight fit for the stainless all-thread . • Clean drill dust Irom the hole and epoxy the all-thread into the upper section . • Drill a slightly larger hole in the base to facilitate alignment of the two pieces . • Clean drill dust out and hall fill the bottom hole with epoxy . • Fit the top piece that already has the all- thread epoxied in place . Figure 5. While allowing a little Lime for Figure 6. flall'llll the larger bottom drill • Adjust until the mating the epoxy in the upper piece to begin 10 hole with cave-safe epoxy. Align the top pieces align in a c1ick- set. drill a larger hole in the base of the piece and check the fit. Ideally. a tight fit. stalagmite. click-fit achieves a tidy scam. Ifneces- • Fill the gaps and sary. use an epoxy and rock dust mix- seams with a color- ture to fill cracks and gaps. (See stalag- matched epoxy and mite repair photo sequence made In rock dust mixture. Slaughter Canyon Cave, page 443.) • Brace if necessary and allow time for epoxy to dry . • Sculpt the epoxy surfaces that are visible to match or mimic textures of the original speleothem.

Figure S. The bottom joint or the sta- Figure 7. The top joint of Ihis repair lagmite had a large gap that was IIlled made a tight click-fit. with an epoxy and rock dust mixture. 464 Cave Conservation and Restoration