I bought an unfinished concrete birdbath

[Marthe48]

Is there a product I can use to seal it that won't harm the birds and other critters? I'm afraid that there might be chemicals in the concrete that will leach into the water. Thanks for ideas

I have a very cool iron table frame made out of rebars and I think I will use that rather than a pottery base.

[soothsayer]

1. This kind of thing

https://little-baja.myshopify.com/products/timber-pro-uv-masonry-top-seal-1-quart-non-toxic-safe-for-bird-baths

[Marthe48]

2. Perfect!

Thak you for the quick reply

[Hotler]

12. I wonder if you can use this or similar on concrete porches and steps

to keep ice-melt from eating away at it?

[SharonClark]

3. I hadn't thought about a chemical leeching

from the concrete but wouldn’t a sealer have similar issues?

[SharonClark]

4. Googled it and found nothing that indicates

a concrete birdbath leeches chemicals. I did find an article that said you can seal it with a silicon sealer that adheres to concrete, is used for underwater applications, and clearly states it is nontoxic for birds and other animals.

[TlalocW]

5. Just to be safe

I just routinely dump water on birds. I've gotten pretty good at sneaking up on them. I know they appreciate it.

TlalocW

[SharonClark]

6. Robins love lawn sprinklers.

[Marthe48]

7. I can imagine this!

lol My husband, son-in-law and other relatives used up rolls of film trying to take a picture of lightning flashing over the waves at the beach. I can imagine myself throwing water into suddenly empty space.

I put a couple of shallow plastic containers on top of old chimney stones we collected. I think I have someone who will do some yard work for me. So I'm hoping to put something nicer together.

[abqtommy]

8. That's a good plan. I have read that once the chemical process of concrete setting

begins it goes on and on and never is completely done.

[Marthe48]

9. That is interesting

You think of concrete as being done, and being what it is until someone breaks it up and takes it away.

[abqtommy]

10. Yup. In olden days the Romans developed cement/concrete and many of the old

buildings still around in Rome used concrete construction. The Romans even developed
a hydraulic concrete that set up under water. It must be true since I read it online!

[Marthe48]

11. I read about Roman concrete before the Internet

It must be true!