Small chips in concrete birdbaths are bound to happen even with gentle care, particularly since the real ages and becomes more fragile. While the chip may not be noticeable or appear to require repair, the continuous exposure to water may gradually wash the concrete away, eventually making a small chip even bigger. All you will need is a fast patch concrete epoxy to fill in the chip, with no complex masonry experience required. A quick-setting epoxy means you can make the repair and use the birdbath at the same moment.

Wash the concrete around the chip with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Brush away any loose concrete with a stiff wire brush. Allow the concrete to dry completely prior to bringing the birdbath indoors in a well-ventilated space.

Brush a thin layer of bonding glue onto the chipped area, if necessary, with the concrete patch. Read the concrete patch label carefully since this may not be required. In many cases, a bundle of bonding adhesive is included with the patch.

Mix the two parts of the concrete patch epoxy, a resin and a hardener, in equal parts, with only as much as required to fill in the chip.

Use the epoxy to the chip with a putty knife or similar instrument, using the knife to adhere to the birdbath’s contour as much as possible.

Allow about two hours for the epoxy to cure at room temperature. Quick patch concrete epoxy usually only takes two hours to heal, but read the label for particular curing times.

Sand the epoxy smooth with coarse, 80-grit sandpaper and then finer 120-grit seams to remove any rough edges and blend it with the remainder of the birdbath. Brush away all sanding debris or rinse with water.

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