Water features come in all shapes and sizes, from tabletop fountains to the
powerful, towering jets at The Bellagio in Las Vegas. Obviously, the
construction of large water features is best left to the professionals, but for
smaller projects, it's possible to design a DIY water feature in a single
afternoon.
This article will outline some of the things you should consider before
shopping for materials and building a DIY water feature.
Style and Materials
The materials you use for your DIY water feature should complement the
materials and style of your home and garden. For example, if your home is
formal, symmetry, formal shapes, and classic materials such as concrete basins
and finials will look best in your garden.
If your home is more rustic or located in a more natural setting, a water
feature made to look like a natural creek bed may be more fitting.
Scale and Proportion
How much space do you have for your DIY water feature? How will the water
feature be viewed, and what kind of statement do you want to make? For example,
if you live in an apartment or condo and you want to build a DIY water feature
for your balcony, the space may be tight, and you could probably create a DIY
water feature using a couple of small, ceramic or concrete pots. However, in the
same space, you may want to make a grand statement and construct a taller wall
fountain instead. The scale and proportions should be in keeping with the
feeling and aesthetic you are trying to create.
When thinking about scale and proportion, also think about how the water
feature will be viewed in relationship to your home. You don't want the water
feature or your house to look too big or too small when seen together.
Also consider how the water feature will be viewed. Will it be seen from a
few feet away or 50 feet away? Obviously, a water feature that is farther away
will need to be larger or it may not have the visual impact it needs. It would
be a shame to spend time building a water feature and then realize that it's too
small to get any attention.
Basins and Pools
Water features can be constructed using a variety of materials. A simple DIY
water feature can be constructed using a ceramic pot and a bamboo spigot.
Concrete or ceramic pots are one option. Formed concrete basins can be built for
larger projects. These can be left unfinished, finished with ceramic tiles, or
colored using stains or integral color. For natural-looking, pond and creek bed
designs, you will need a pond liner of flexible PVC. Whatever material you
choose, your pond needs to be as watertight as possible. The point is, a DIY
water feature does not have to be complicated, but the materials you choose
should be appropriate to the size, scale, and complexity of the project.
Water Volume and Pumps
Just like the tiny pumps in a fish tank, the pump you use in your DIY water
feature will be submerged in water. Typically, the pump is located in the lowest
basin of water. For example, if you create a basin with a tiered fountain, the
pump will sit in the basin at the bottom and pump water up to the top tier. The
water then falls down over the tiers simply through the force of gravity.
The pump for your DIY water feature needs to be the appropriate size.
Fountain pumps are sized by gallons per hour (gph) and usually have a small knob
on the top or side that allows you to adjust the flow of water. For a small
water feature, like the pot with bamboo spigot as mentioned above, a 20- to
40-gph pump will be large enough. If you are moving larger volumes of water,
however, you will need to spend more to get a pump that can move more water
volume per hour.
Safety Concerns
Children should never be left alone near a water feature as they can drown in
a very small amount of water. Keep this in mind when designing your DIY water
feature. For families with small children, a water feature that recirculates
using a closed reservoir of water and without an open pool may be best.
Pool regulations require a fence around open water beyond certain depths.
Check your federal, state, and local regulations before constructing any DIY
water feature.
Planting Around Your DIY Water Feature
Finally, depending on the style and location of your water feature, you may
want to plant around the edges. This is especially important if you have
constructed a natural, creek bed water feature. A water feature of this type
should be planted with native plants from your area. In general, it is best to
use plants that like moisture. Although you have done your best to make your
water feature watertight, it will lose a bit of water every day from splashing
and evaporation. Plant a combination of shrubs, trees, and perennials that will
not be adversely affected by this additional water.
The sound of water in the garden can sooth the nerves and block unwanted
neighboring noises. Whatever your reasons for constructing a DIY water feature,
the above design considerations should get you started.
Click
here for more DIY tips and also for Market Insider information.
If you're ready to buy or sell a home, give
The Puffer Team a call, 828-771-2300, or visit our website,
www.homefinderasheville.com.
This is an immaculate
executive home in an established neighborhood, situated on a private lot on a
cul-de-sac. Inside you will find cathedral ceilings, hardwoods throughout
most of the living areas, a granite/stainless kitchen, a stacked stone
peninsula FP, formal dining area & separate breakfast room, spacious
master suite, sunroom, tons of living space in the basement, & so much
more. Enjoy entertaining on the back deck & taking in sounds of the
creek...welcome home.
