How to Fix a Broken Terra Cotta Pot

It is possible to repair broken terra cotta pots.

You can fix a broken terra cotta pot instead of throwing it away. It is possible to fix a pot with a crack or a broken section using either silicone or wire. Silicone works well on a simple crack that you want to seal. Use wire to fix large decorator pots to give them extra support or to repair a pot that has a section broken out. Fix cracked or damaged pots as soon as you can to prevent additional damage to the delicate area.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Rags
• Thin shim
• Rubber mallet
• Clear silicone caulk
• Cording
• Pencil
• Rotary tool
• Masonry bit
• Copper wire
• Pliers
• Wire clipper

Instructions

Silicone

1. Clean all dirt and residue from the surface of the terra cotta pot. Let it dry completely before proceeding.

2. Pry open the crack with a thin shim and a rubber mallet. Use caution to prevent cracking or breaking the pot further.

3. Apply a clear silicone caulk along the crack so it seeps into the open space.

4. Remove the shim and wrap a cord tightly around the pot to hold the crack closed while the silicone dries. Secure the cord by twisting and tying it in place. Use a wire or sturdy rope for best results.

5. Remove the cord once the silicone is completely dry. This will take 24 to 48 hours, depending on the manufacturer's instructions. Scrape away excess silicone if necessary.

Wire

1. Prepare the terra cotta pot by placing the broken piece of pot into the open space if the pot has a section broken off. Make pencil marks along each side of the edge of the crack, spacing the marks 1/2 inch from one another along the crack and across it. These mark the drilling spots to create shoelace holes.

2. Drill holes through the markings with a masonry bit attached to a rotary tool. Drill slowly to limit additional damage to the pot.

3. Cut 3-inch pieces of copper wire and bend them into hairpin shapes. String the wire through the holes so the ends are on the inside of the pot and the loops are holding the crack together.

4. Twist the wire ends to hold the pot together. Clip off the excess wire and push the ends flush against the side of the pot.

References

• The Artistic Garden: Terra Cotta Repair Techniques
• Garden Wise: Fixing Terra-Cotta Pots