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How to Waterproof Ceramic Pots
How to Waterproof Ceramic Pots. Available in a variety of sizes and colors, ceramic pots let you plant a garden that is portable and safe from animals uprooting your plants. The pots are glazed on the outside and contain one or more holes for draining water. Like other porous surfaces, ceramic absorbs a certain amount of water and eventually...
Available in a variety of sizes and colors, ceramic pots let you plant a garden that is portable and safe from animals uprooting your plants. The pots are glazed on the outside and contain one or more holes for draining water. Like other porous surfaces, ceramic absorbs a certain amount of water and eventually deteriorates without a waterproof coating on the inside of the pot. Waterproofing your ceramic pots not only makes them last longer; it also keeps soil from entering the unglazed interior finish.
Things You'll Need
Bucket
Warm water
Chlorine bleach
Latex gloves
Scrub brush
3 soft cloths or rags
Plastic sheeting or dropcloth
Paintbrush
Latex waterproofing compound or waterproofing sealer
Box or small fan
Cleaning
Mix 1 gallon of warm water and 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach in a bucket. Wear latex gloves to keep your hands dry. Stir the mixture with a scrub brush.
Apply the bleach mixture to the inside and outside of the ceramic pot. Scrub the pot thoroughly with the scrub brush to remove any dust, dirt and grime.
Rinse the pot under warm, running water. Dry the pot with a soft cloth or rag. The ceramic pot needs to be totally dry before proceeding to the next section.
Waterproofing
Place plastic sheeting or a dropcloth on a flat surface in a well-ventilated area. Wear latex gloves to keep your hands clean and dry.
Use a paintbrush to apply a layer of latex waterproofing compound or waterproofing sealer evenly on the inside of the ceramic pot. Start at the bottom and overlap the pot with horizontal strokes--not top to bottom as this will leave small gaps between the strokes and cause an incomplete seal.
Pour any excess latex waterproofing compound or waterproofing sealer back into its container.
Sit the pot upright on the plastic sheeting or dropcloth for drying. Let the pot dry overnight before placing plants, potting soil or other substances in the pot.
Tips & Warnings
To speed up the drying process, after cleaning or waterproofing the pot, aim a fan toward the ceramic pot or place the pot in an area containing a ceiling fan.
