DIY Mosaic Birdbath Project

Wildlife in the garden is an important and vital feature for any serious gardener. One of the ways to attract more wildlife is to keep fresh water readily available in several places for our feathery friends. We've complied with this by serving up several different styles of birdbaths throughout the garden. It is so satisfying to watch the birds enjoy a refreshing splash at familiar spots.

Photo from summer of 2007- before the huge expansion of this planting bed.

Can you see the birdbath standing among the caladiums? The basin of it is a flat structure that balances on the pedestal as they are not attached to one another.

Unfortunately, last summer (or was it the summer before?) it fell off the pedestal onto the flagstone pathway and broke in two places. Undoubtedly a rascally squirrel poking his nose where it shouldn't be caused this problem.

Regardless of how it happened, I was just not willing to give up on it. My mom's husband attempted to use some sort of caulking to seal it back together. It probably would have worked except (if I remember correctly) I got a little impatient to get it back in service and didn't let the sealant 'set up' long enough. My impatience has caused me worse problems in the past... so it is the likely scenario. :-)

On my 2009 list of projects was to mend the birdbath with a mosaic treatment. After trying several kinds of sealants and glues that didn't hold the heavy weight of water this idea came to me as the last possible alternative before giving up.

With very few tools and little time this project is easier than one might think.
For this cement, flat surface the tools needed:
Tile nippers
Tile and plates to crack (official mosaic term for breaking up the medium)
Hammer for cracking
Liquid Nails
Grout
Sponge for wiping grout
Soft Cloth for wiping grout

I decided to stick with just blue and white for this project as my 'must use piece' was a blue and white plate I had bought at an antique store in Franklin, TN several years ago when visiting Marmee.

After placement and gluing each piece down it's important to wait 24 hours before grouting.

After the grout is secure another wait time of 72 hours is necessary.

This time I was patient.

Not only that but it was really cold when I was working on it. For extra precaution I added a couple of days to the wait just to be sure it didn't contract and expand unnecessarily.

Now for the real test. Will it hold water?

It is in the garden and some landing rocks for the critters have been placed in the water. It's been 'holding its own' for about 3 weeks with no leaking!

I admit I was so glad I didn't have to give up this favorite birdbath.

That little one just can't help himself. He absolutely must pick up those rocks when he gets near that birdbath. I don't mind at all his curious, wonderful character.

The newly mended birdbath is placed away from the flagstones now. If it does fall it will just crush some flowers ... but I don't think they will break the basin.

Update note: Bird bath continues to hold water 2012.