How to Glue Terracotta

Clear and non-water-soluble glue is best suited to gluing terracotta.

Terracotta refers to both a specific unglazed ceramic and the reddish and porous ceramic so often used in the material of gardening pots. Broken and/or cracked terracotta pieces can be repaired using glue in much the same manner as other ceramic pieces, though it is important to consider both the piece's function and the nature of its material. Both function and material are key in determining the qualities of the glue best suited to the repair process.

Things You'll Need

• Cord and/or other binding materials

Instructions

1. Clean the terracotta pieces so that other materials such as a pot's prior contents cannot interfere with the repair process.

2. Choose the glue to be used in the repair process based on the item and the desired outcome. For example, if the item in question is a cracked pot used to contain ornamental blossoms, it would be best to choose a clear, non-water-soluble glue.

3. Glue the terracotta pieces together using the method best suited to the item. For example, if a pot has a long, irregular crack running around its circumference, it could be easier to use a thin, tapered piece of material to apply the glue to the crack rather than using the bottle of glue directly.

4. Hold together the terracotta pieces until the glue sets. Depending on the glue used, this can be as simple as holding the pieces together using your hands or as difficult as using cord or similar material to bind the pieces together until the glue sets.

Resources

• The Artistic Garden: Terra Cotta Repair Techniques