Concrete birdbaths provide outdoor ambiance and places for birds to congregate when they visit your garden. Unfortunately, when concrete is exposed to freeze and thaw cycles, it has a tendency to crack. These cracks may cause a birdbath to leak and negatively impact the birdbath's appearance. An effective method to seal cracks in concrete is with cement (essentially concrete without the aggregate), which will fill in cracks and seal the bowl from leaking.
how to repair a cracked in a cement bird bath
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Pick up a small amount of cement paste with the trowel. Spread the paste over cracks on the birdbath, pushing and scraping so the paste goes inside the crack. Spread a thin layer of cement paste over the filled crack to create a smooth surface that blends with the rest of the birdbath bowl.
Fill additional cracks on the inside and outside of the bowl and along the pedestal. Try to get the majority of the cement inside the cracks. Keep the fresh, exterior layer of cement as thin as possible to maintain the original shape of the birdbath.
Birdbaths have a tendency to crack after going through a freeze and thaw cycle. Small hairline cracks can be sealed with a waterproofing concrete sealer or epoxy, and larger cracks can be filled with a polyester resin. Pour half of your cleaner into your birdbath and use your scrub brush to clean the entire bowl area. Allow your birdbath to dry for at least two days after cleaning it. This step will eliminate failure of your repairs. You do not want either one of these products to puddle. A puddled area will create a weak area in your sealer. Take your plastic spreader and scoop up some of your resin mixture. At this point you can leave your birdbath as is, or you can go ahead and coat the entire bowl with a sealant.
Cracks, fissures and pitting in your ornate, pricey cement bird bath occur for reasons that include the manufacturer adding excessive water to the concrete mix, to facing the harsh coastal winds and rain. A few years of wear and tear will eventually wreak havoc on the bird bath. Resurfacing is a process that uses a thin layer of cement to repair and restore cracked and damaged concrete. Prep your cement bird bath correctly and perform any necessary repairs before resurfacing.
Clean the bird bath with a mixture of mild dish detergent and warm water. Dampen a plastic scrub brush with the mixture and clean the entire surface, including inside the bowl. Rinse away the soapy residue thoroughly with a garden hose and continue before the bird bath dries completely. Mild detergent contains no dyes or perfumes.
Spread a thin layer of the resurfacer over any fissures, cracks and pitting on the bird bath's surface with a trowel. For small cracks, your gloved finger is also acceptable, but pay attention to keep the layer even. Allow the resurfacer to dry according to the package direction, or at least two to five hours.
Dampen the bird bath with your garden hose before mixing up another batch of the resurfacer. The amount of resurfacer required depends on the bird bath's size, but be aware the product is viable for 20 minutes after mixing, so create smaller batches to work in sections.
The cracks form because concrete is porous, water gets into the pores and pinholes in the concrete. When the water freezes, it expands and wears the concrete. Come springtime, you will notice cracks on the concrete bird bath.
Many things can bring damage to concrete birdbaths or garden statues. The most common perpetrator is weather. Water can work its way into small crevices and freeze, thus transforming the small crevice into a large crevice. Whether your concrete birdbath or concrete statue fell victim to ice or a croquet game gone wild, below are the answers you need for the repair process.
Once the birdbath is thoroughly cleaned and COMPLETELY DRY, then mix the epoxy glue as indicated on the packaging. Once you have the epoxy glue correctly mixed, simply apply it to the damaged areas, clamping them together until the glue is completely dry. Remember; the more careful you are with the application, the less visible the glue will appear once it is dry.
Dampen any cracks or blemishes with water and make sure to remove any loose bites of concrete or debris. Apply the cement/paint mixture with a palette knife, smoothing it with a wet finger. Let this dry for 2 hours, then moisten the area with a mist of water from a spray bottle and cover with plastic wrap. Remove wrap and re-mist once a day for 5 days. Keep the area covered in plastic wrap for the entire duration. Note: Use a thicker mix to repair chips and dings.
Bird baths add value to a garden. The bird bath itself is a nice piece of decoration to any yard. But with the birds swooping down into it, it makes the yard more beautiful. What makes a bird bath not valuable? When it leaks. And if it is made of concrete, that is quite the headache. In this post, I will show you how to seal a leaking concrete bird bath and still maintain its value. My techniques ensure that the repairs will last, bringing back the bird bath to its former glory.
The concrete cleaner will ensure the efficacy of the sealants you will use for the cracks on the bird bath. I suggest getting an acidic concrete cleaner to get the best clean for your bird bath. An acidic concrete cleaner will take care of stains, dirt, and substances that may have seeped into the pores of the concrete. Its acidic contents will dissolve substances.
The concrete sealing or epoxy paint will take care of hairline cracks on the concrete bird bath. You can get sealers or epoxy paints from any home remodeling center or hardware store. I will advise you to check the toxicity of the paint you will use. Keep in mind the health and safety of the birds which will use the bird bath.
These final materials are not always necessary. If the concrete bird bath has a large gaping hole, then you will need it. Instead of using concrete to cover up the hole, you can use polyester resin and hardening cream. They are cheaper and easier to use but no less effective.
First things first, drain the bird bath of all its water contents. Then fill a bucket with warm water mixed with the appropriate amount of concrete cleaner. The concrete cleaner container should tell you how much to put into how much water. Some concrete cleaners will not require water.
Rinse the bird bath thoroughly with water and let it dry for two days. You have to wait for two days so that the water that seeped into the concrete will also dry out. They will compromise the efficacy of the sealants if they do not dry.
Watching the birds relax and preen themselves on the birdbath in your backyard is certainly a peaceful experience. Like anything, though, even the most expensive and high-quality birdbaths will need maintenance from time to time.
The problem with this is that you must be extra careful when repairing or sealing a birdbath so as not to harm the birds. Certain substances and products may be toxic to them, so you should do some research before using a product on the birdbath.
Is your concrete birdbath looking a little worn and old? If so, Laura at Top This Top That has the perfect solution for you. She gave her birdbath a facelift by adding mosaic tile that is actually broken plates.
Due to their weight, stone bird baths are much more sturdy and they are less likely to get chipped or cracked, although if they do any knocks and bumps will only add to the character of the bath as it ages.
You can also buy bird baths made from engineered granite or marble which is stone mixed with resin to help reinforce any naturally occurring veins, holes, or fractures. This process will improve the hardiness of the bird bath.
Stone bird baths are also a good option if you want to make a statement in your garden. They come in a variety of styles and often include intricate carvings and other design features. For a traditional, cottage garden a classic stone bird bath with a fluted basin would fit right in, and if you want something more modern for an urban garden, a contemporary bath with geometric detailing is ideal.
Stone bird baths are usually grey, but tinted baths are also available, as are baths made from concrete that has been mixed with mosaic chips or finished with different glazes. If the bath is highly polished birds may find it difficult to grip so add a few stones to the bottom of the bowl to give them somewhere to perch as they drink and bathe.
Stone bird baths will need some low-level maintenance to ensure they last as long as possible. Because stone is porous algae can grow on the bath if it is not cleaned regularly. To clean a stone bird bath you can use a mild bleach solution and scrub it with a stiff brush. Make sure you thoroughly rinse the bird bath so there are no traces of bleach that could harm your garden birds and leave it to dry in the sun which will break down any remaining chlorine before filling again. A bird bath placed in the shade will prevent algae growing so rapidly.
In very cold weather stone or concrete bird baths are unfortunately susceptible to damage. Water can seep into the pores and if it freezes it will expand which can cause small cracks. To help prevent this once a year seal your bird bath with a concrete sealer which will stop the stone absorbing most of the water.
Stone bird baths can be expensive and if buying online make sure you check the postage and packaging costs as these can sometimes bump up the price. They are also deceptively heavy so find out if your bird bath can be delivered directly to the spot where you want to place it in your garden.
The duration of time flex seal lasts is completely down to the environment your bird bath is in. However, people have found that it will last for years without it cracking, peeling or more importantly losing any strength.
The bowl of my plastic bird bath has two hairline cracks in the bowl and won't hold water now. Any ideas on what I can do with it so I can continue to use it as a bird both? Thought about plastic glue and broken plates to cover the bowl but not sure if that's safe for birds or if it will hold up. Each crack is in the center, crossing each other and are about two inches long. Hate to just throw it in the trash.. 2ff7e9595c
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