How to Fix a Crack in a Ceramic Pot
Anyone living in freeze-and-thaw conditions is familiar with what can happen to dirt-filled terra cotta pots if left outside over the winter. They crack. If you ignore the problem, the crack simply will worsen and wind up in the garbage can. But rather than tossing them away, consider fixing cracks in ceramic pots. The best repair techniques take little time and will spare you from having to go to the garden center in the spring and dropping $10 or more on a new pot. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Waterproof silicone caulk
- Putty knife
- Drill (optional)
- 1/8-inch drill bit (optional)
- Copper wire
Instructions
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1
Cleanse cracked area of any dirt. Allow cleaned area to dry. Use putty knife to gently pry open the dried crack to no more than double its original width. For cracks that extend the entire height of the pot, use a drill with a 1/8-inch bit to make a 1/2-inch hole on either side of the crack.
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2
Run a bead of waterproof silicone caulk along the entire length of the pried-open crack. Remove putty knife and allow the crack to close.
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3
Wrap wire firmly around the pot. Tie the ends of the wire together to apply gentle pressure on the pot and to keep the crack tight while caulk is drying. If holes have been drilled to repair more extensive cracking, thread additional copper wire through both holes, tying ends of the wire together tightly on the inside of the pot.
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4
Remove wire wrapped around the pot after the caulk has dried, in two or three hours, and is not sticky. Rub away any excess caulk on the exterior of the pot.
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Tips & Warnings
Pots will be more durable if you move them inside during the winter. This will help reduce the cracking threat caused by expanding and contracting soil due to the cold.
