Why do bells need restoration?
A cast bell can ring for centuries. Because of this longevity, bells often outlive the structures and hardware that support them. Bells are also subject to daily stressors, including:
- Wear and degradation of the metal at the striking point
- Original casting defects or poor metal quality
- Unsuitable clapper size or weight
- Blocked or misaligned pulleys
- Loose fittings and shifted supports from sustained vibration
- Weakened, damp, and aged structures (bell towers)
- Corrosion from the elements, including bat and bird droppings
Not only do these conditions present problems for bell acoustics, they may also render the bell inoperative or unsafe to ring. To prevent the debt of silence from a bell not ringing, we recommend regular inspection and maintenance of bells and bell ringing equipment. However, we understand not every bell has been looked after so vigilantly, particularly bells of significant age. That’s when the National Bell Festival steps in to help.
Image: A cracked bell sits outside the parish church of San Miguel Arcángel del Espíritu Santo in Comala, Colima, Mexico.