How can I improve this rough concrete fountain?

Alice McKenzie
by Alice McKenzie

I have a leaking rough looking fountain in my yard that I would love to improve. Any ideas about what I can do with it would be appreciated. Resurface? Tile it? Mosaic parts? Add a different base with tile?

  8 answers
  • Yvette Leyte Vidal Yvette Leyte Vidal on May 24, 2019

    Maybe some roof or oool sealant might help

  • Mogie Mogie on May 24, 2019

    If the leak in inside one of the bowl areas you might try spray flex seal. Not sure what colors are available but if you could get a gray it would be much less noticeable.

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on May 24, 2019

    You don't say/show where it's leaking so it's hard to give a specific answer. What about that liquid rubber Flex seal stuff?

    How about spraying "great stuff" expanding foam sealant and then carving/painting to shape?

    • See 3 previous
    • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Jun 02, 2019

      Alrighty then! I wish you'd told us that you were interested in creating a different look in the 1st place lol! I am just about to foray into working with concrete. First things first - DO you want to fix the leak so the fountain works? Do you ALSO want to make it look different?


      Fix the leak before you start working on decor! You'd hate to create something kewl and then damage it trying to work on the leak. For the leak, I would try the foam (Great Stuff is the name) in a small area to be sure it stops the water and stays attached to the concrete. The fact that it's rough may be helpful for that! Great Stuff will be most helpful if you've got a large hole or crack. Silicone caulk may come to play. It will work alongside the foam but let the foam set and do your cutting first. You could also try to stuff thick quickcrete or similar but concrete doesn't always just "attach" to dry material.


      To change the look, one thing that would be fabulous imho is this:

      https://www.infarrantlycreative.net/fabric-concrete-planters/

      You do the steps but then drape the concrete fabric over the tops of parts of the fountain and then fold/drape it to hang down the sides. Like this:

      https://boredomtherapy.com/towel-in-a-bucket/


      You could experiments to get REALLY fancy and try to dip lace sewn along the edges for some extra special beauty. http://sproutsandstuff.blogspot.com/2016/01/create-cement-lace-using-doilies-and.html

      IDK if this would work w/o doing hypertufa which is whole 'nother ballgame. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/827184656528608960/?lp=true

      Barb gives fabulous instructions!

      https://www.madebybarb.com/2017/08/30/tips-and-tricks-for-concrete-crafting/

  • Mogie Mogie on May 24, 2019

    Just checked and all the flex seal site says about this is the spray flex seal is available in 12 colors. Sorry but not sure what colors those are.

  • Tony Tony on Jun 01, 2019

    Plant flowers in it

  • SL SL on Jun 01, 2019

    I would probably paint it with some metallic paints like copper, green and bronze.

  • P P on Jun 02, 2019

    If its leaking inside, use concrete to fix it. If you cant stop the leak or want to change your decor up, plant succulents inside. ..with maybe creeping jenny over the edges.

  • P P on Jun 02, 2019

    Flex seal does not continue to work for me. Use quickmix? concrete for even small jobs.