ditchman Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 i have an old plinth that i want to make into a birdbath...i will make it out of cement and steel mesh.... QUESTION What do i add to the cement to make it waterproof..........in other words...to hold water.... cheers ditch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 I made one out of concrete using a rubber dustbin lid as a mold and a shallow plastic bowl pressed into the concrete to hold the water....when dry I painted it with sandtex......it's still going strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooder Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 screwfix sell waterproof cement in large tubs, might be an expensive way of doing it. I would make the top out of sharp sand a cement reinforced with mesh, then brush the bowl area with cellar tanking element. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 what about if i let it go green then mixed up a grout and brushed it on..?..then floated it off.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren 67 Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 Could you not make it out of normal concrete let it go off and then paint a sealer on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgreco Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 Think it would probably hold water without any waterproofing, it's not like it's going to suffer from damp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 lots of good ideas.................the reason i want it as bare cement ..is after time it will match the plinth...and moss and lichen/algea green stuff will attatch itself to it...and look the same as the plinth....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny thomas Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 Only a guess but how about mixing in a load of pva when you mix up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 Costs just over a tenner for 10kg of waterproof cement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmitty Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 (edited) I seem to remember using an additive a bit like plasticiser in the past ..... Edit:- With the help of google , found a similar product here http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Liquid-Waterproofer-5L/p/243001?CAWELAID=120135120000002377&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=26712496372&CATCI=pla-18283950120&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping%20-%20Cement%20&%20Aggregates&tmcampid=&tmad=c&tmplaceref=4LIJNsdC&utm_content=s4LIJNsdC|pcid|73770331732|pkw||pmt|| and only just over a fiver but if you only want a bit then I can check the shed tomorrow as its probably still in there. Edited June 2, 2016 by Schmitty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 wickes, screwfix/ b&q will do 5l of liquid waterproofing to add to cement etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rec-baller Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 Use a product called s.b.r , it's s super version of pva glue , it's a waterproofer + hardner all in one , should be about £12 for a 5ltr tub , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltings Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 if you shutter a mould or a form and vibrate the concrete so that all the air is removed it will be waterproof all on its own if you want it to look old fairly quick gather some cow dung mix it with water to a brushable consistency paint it on a few weeks it will look old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorianbuilders Posted June 2, 2016 Report Share Posted June 2, 2016 if you shutter a mould or a form and vibrate the concrete so that all the air is removed it will be waterproof all on its own if you want it to look old fairly quick gather some cow dung mix it with water to a brushable consistency paint it on a few weeks it will look old Natural yogurt would do the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 cheers you boys.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 Only a guess but how about mixing in a load of pva when you mix up hello, plus 1 with jonny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 hello, plus 1 with jonny note i used a tub of PVA glue from pound shop when i repointed and capped a very old stone wall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear-uk Posted June 3, 2016 Report Share Posted June 3, 2016 PVA is not waterproof (I think) thats why SBR is used instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted June 4, 2016 Report Share Posted June 4, 2016 PVA is water soluble. It's fine for inside the house for sizing walls before plaster but not of out side render of waterproofing. Use SBR solution for exterior use. Saltings has the right idea. Or make it and latex paint the bowl area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted June 5, 2016 Report Share Posted June 5, 2016 And a tip for vibrating the air bubbles out is to press an orbital sander up against the shuttering. (With it running of course...) Now waits for a Ditchie response to 'vibrator'! Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2016 And a tip for vibrating the air bubbles out is to press an orbital sander up against the shuttering. (With it running of course...) Now waits for a Ditchie response to 'vibrator'! Mike. no-comment......................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Disappointing... Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Disappointing... Mike. today is not my moment at the moment......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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