Concrete statues may deteriorate over time, especially if they have been handed down from generation to generation. These statues are an investment in the beauty of your garden. If they begin to wear it can be frustrating and disappointing. Cracks in your statue will allow moisture to seep in, further damaging the fountain. When this occurs, it also allows grime to get into the cracks. It is important to protect your statue so you can enjoy it for many more years to come.
In order to fix cracks and restore your statue to its former beauty there are some tools you will need to invest in. Portland cement will fill in the cracks, and a putty or palette knife will help with the process. You will also need hot water, a scrub brush, and alkaline cleaner and plastic wrap. Finally purchase or find a small plastic container that can be thrown away. Most of these tools can be found at your local hardware store.
The first step is to take the scrub brush, the alkaline cleaner, and the bucket of hot water to the piece which you are planning on restoring. If the state is large you will need to go to the statue, but if it is small, you can consider taking the statue to the hot water source. The alkaline cleaner should be evenly sprayed onto your statue, and left to set for a few minutes. After it has set for a few moments use the brush to remove any dirt, grime, or mold. This process should be continued until you have successfully cleaned the whole statue. Repeat the process if necessary, but take note the piece may not return to its original appearance, but it will look much better.
The next step is to fill in any unwanted cracks that have formed as a result of being in the elements. For this step you will need the throw away plastic container to mix the proper amount of Portland cement with a small amount of water. The final texture should be similar to that of grout. When you begin to fill in your fountain cracks, make sure the cracks are cleared of any debris or dirt. The cracks should also be dampened with water. Use the putty knife to apply a small amount of putty to the crack, and smooth it over with a wet finger. This should be left to dry for two hours then. Then you should moisten the repair and cover it with plastic wrap. You should keep this covered for about five days. Each day you should be sure to uncover the wrap and moisten the repair again.
