Re-Securing Loose Marble Fragments

CSI Division
Division 4- Masonry
Section
Marble
Last Modified

Technical Procedures Disclaimer

Prior to inclusion in GSA’s library of procedures, documents are reviewed by one or more qualified preservation specialists for general consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards for rehabilitating historic buildings as understood at the time the procedure is added to the library. All specifications require project-specific editing and professional judgement regarding the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers are to serve as a general guideline and do not constitute a federal endorsement or determination that a product or method is the best or most current alternative, remains available, or is compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards. The library of procedures is intended to serve as a resource, not a substitute, for specification development by a qualified preservation professional.

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We’ve reviewed these procedures for general consistency with federal standards for rehabilitating historic buildings and provide them only as a reference. Specifications should only be applied under the guidance of a qualified preservation professional who can assess the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers serve as general guidelines and do not constitute a federal endorsement nor a determination that a product or method is the best alternative or compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards.

PART 1—GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

  1. This procedure includes guidance on re-securing loose marble wall fragments on building exterior or building interior locations.

The fragments are of a small size and weight for which the adhesive chosen will have sufficient strength to hold the stone securely.

  1. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
    1. Safety Precautions
    2. Historic Structures Precautions
    3. Submittals
    4. Quality Assurance
    5. Delivery, Storage and Handling
    6. Project/Site Conditions
    7. Sequencing and Scheduling
    8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)

These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).

1.02 PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS

  1. Existing Conditions: Review the manufacturer’s product literature and follow these instructions.

PART 2—PRODUCTS

2.01 MANUFACTURERS

  1. Akson North America, Wood & Stone Company.

2.02 MATERIALS

  1. Stone: All loose stone in sound condition. Replacement marble to be identical in color, texture and type of existing marble.
  2. Adhesives - Stone to Stone Repair:
    1. For building exterior work, see Akson North America, Wood & Stone Company: Epoxy Stone Adhesives: Akabond 600 Flowing, Akabond 621 KG. Review product literature carefully in making selection. Or approved equal.
    2. For building interior work, see Akson North Americ, Wood & Stone Company: Polyester Adhesives; review the product range carefully in making selection. Or approved equal.
  3. Water: Clean and free of deleterious amounts of oils, acids, alkalis and organic matter.

2.03 EQUIPMENT

  1. Stiff, fiber bristle brushes
  2. Trowels
  3. Joint tools
  4. Wood spatulas

PART 3—EXECUTION

3.01 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

  1. Carefully remove loose marble fragments. Reuse all pieces of marble.
  2. Clean any exposed metal conduit and anchors of all corrosion by scraping and brushing with stiff wire brushes. Replace any unsound anchors as necessary with new stainless steel anchors of same approximate size and shape. Bed new anchors in epoxy grout.
  3. Clean both building marble and marble fragments of all loose debris and grease by brushing with stiff fiber bristle brush.
  4. Coat marble surfaces with adhesive, completely filling all voids and covering all surfaces. Set marble while adhesive is still tacky, up to 15 minutes. Secure marble fragments in place against movement until adhesive has cured.
  5. Clean any residual adhesive from the edges. Wet the marble and fill any chipped areas and edges with patching mortar. Avoid feather edging. Tool surface level with surrounding stone. Keep mortar damp (80-90% RH) for 72 hours or until cured.

3.02 ADJUSTING/CLEANING

  1. At the time of repairing, pointing and resetting the marble, immediately remove mortar, grout and adhesives from the face of the masonry.
  2. Use only tools and equipment which are clean and free of hardened or partially hardened material.
  3. Clean marble only with fiber bristle brushes and water. Use no acids, detergents, or other cleaning agents.
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Last updated: Jul 7, 2025
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