Concrete Bird Baths

When it comes to garden decor, bird baths hold a special place. This article deals with the various aspects of concrete bird baths.
You need not be an ornithologist to install a bird bath in your garden. Birds are loved by almost everyone and who else doesn't like the sight of colorful birds frequenting their yard. As we all know, bird baths are strong attraction for birds, provided, it has clean water and it is located in a safe place, where the winged guests are not threatened by pets, like, cats or dogs. Nowadays, bird baths come in various styles and designs and are made of materials, like, glass, metal, plastic, mosaic tile, etc. However, the preference goes to the traditional concrete bird baths that consist of bowls and pedestals.

The pedestal is found to be around one meter in length and the bowl is fitted on the top of the pedestal. This is the basic design of a concrete bird bath. Water fountains are often found in these bird baths and this enhances the prospects of attracting birds. A concrete bird bath can be a perfect addition to a traditional garden. You may also make a concrete bird bath of your own, without much difficulty. Let us take a look at how to make a concrete bird bath.

Homemade Concrete Bird Bath

You can easily make a concrete bird bath bowl at home. In order to make this bowl, you need cement, water, sand, trowel, etc. All you have to do is to pile up the sand, so that it can be used as concrete bird bath mold. A pile with almost two meter diameter and five to six inches height will be sufficient. You may also go for ready-made concrete bird bath molds available in the market. Once the sand pile is formed, make a small spherical depression on the top of the sand pile. This hole will serve the purpose of attaching the bowl to the pedestal or base. Now, mix cement and water in a wheel barrow. The consistency of the mixture should be like mayonnaise or peanut butter. The next step is to pour the cement over the sand pile and smooth its surfaces with a trowel.

It will take around a week for the cement to set well. After that, remove the concrete bird bath bowl and place in a good location. You may use any type of base or pedestal for this bowl. You can also keep it on the ground. However, it is always recommended to place bird baths away from the reach of pets, like, cats. You may also keep a bird feeder in the vicinity, as an added attraction for birds.

Concrete Bird Bath Repair

A concrete bird bath requires regular cleaning and change of water. You can also repair these structures on your own. In case of large cracks or chipping of the edges, you have to drain the structure and then do the repair. Once you drain the bird bath bowl, clean it with soap and water. Make sure to scrub the bowl with a hard-bristled brush. As you finish the cleaning, allow the bowl to get completely dry, especially, those areas, which you want to repair. Now you can fix the broken parts and cracks of the bird bath bowl with epoxy. Wait for at least a day, before using the repaired bowl. Even waterproofing concrete sealer will serve the purpose. In case of really big cracks, you have to use polyester resin as a filling. It is very important to use nontoxic fillers and sealants for repairing and fixing bird baths. Read more on solar powered bird bath fountains.

Now, you have a basic idea about concrete bird baths. If you don't have one in your yard, then, buy one or make a concrete bird bath bowl at home. Install it and enjoy the presence of the winged guests in your house.
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Last Updated: 10/13/2011
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