A fountain is a real find for every summer residence, it makes it possible to improve the microclimate in the garden, and also allows you to significantly increase the decorative significance of the landscape. However, not every gardener knows that creating an artificial pond without any difficulty is possible and with a minimum of costs, using available materials and tools. The article describes in detail how to make a cascading fountain with a waterfall with your own hands, as well as the basic rules for caring for it.
Choosing the type of cascading fountain
Today, in landscape art, several types of fountains are immediately known, which without problems can be created on a site from practically available means. This makes it possible to realize any fantasy and project. Moreover, the main thing: to adhere to the principle of harmony, the waterfall must necessarily become one of the constituent elements of the site, emphasizing its individuality.
The most profitable at the cottage are the following waterfall-fountain projects:
- Standard - cascade structure of slate or granite, consisting of several steps with the same or different slope. Water flow occurs smoothly, from the top to the last step.
- Mini fountain - It is a small hill of stone, at the foot of which there is a pond. The fluid is supplied from the top of the structure by a gushing flow. In this case, there is a high intensity of water movement and a characteristic sound of murmur.
- Free form - such structures can have almost any design and shape, including the exact reproduction of natural formations. For their construction can be used both natural materials and artificial, including finished elements. For all this, the fountain should be a multi-stage cascade structure, the water through which flows slowly into an indoor or outdoor pond.
- Stone structure - most often, such a fountain is an exact copy of a mountain stream. They create it in the form of a multi-stage rocky slope, from the top of which water is slowly supplied. At the foot of the slope often create a small pond, lined with natural stone. In most cases, granite, slate or limestone are used to erect such a structure.
Place for fountain
In order for the fountain created on the site not only to function properly, but also to please more than one year, for its construction it will be necessary to choose the right place. In this case, it is necessary to observe several important requirements that are put forward for the construction of such objects.
Did you know? The first fountains appeared on the territory of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia long before our era. They were built on the site of springs and used exclusively for irrigation of agricultural and ornamental plants.
First of all, you need to consider the following:
- All tall vegetation should be at the maximum distance from the selected place. Otherwise, the fallen foliage will clog the pond and cause the electrical component to malfunction.
- The fountain should be located at least 5 m from any garden buildings. Such a structure can provoke flooding of the foundation, as well as cause increased air humidity (which is especially negative for wooden buildings).
- The place should be located on a hill, this will greatly simplify the construction of an artificial slope.
- It is not recommended to build the structure on arable garden soil, the soil base should be dense and minimally involved in economic activity. Otherwise, subsidence and destruction of the structure can not be avoided.
Bowl preparation
The bowl is one of the main and important elements of the cascade fountain. It creates the necessary reserve of water for the smooth functioning of the fountain, as well as an ideal transitional zone between the cascades and the site.
Important! The bowl can be made independently, based on concrete mixtures. However, such bowls are in most cases more expensive and require certain skills in handling concrete.
Today on the market you can find bowls of various shapes and volumes, while on the basis of the manufactured version they are divided into two types:
- The most popular and most common are plastic containers. They are distinguished by wear resistance, as well as low cost, therefore, it is on their basis that they create the majority of gushing water bodies. However, plastic is not resistant to mechanical damage, and is also able to deform when heated, which often creates some difficulties during the operation of such bowls.
- A more expensive but quality option are bowls based on composite materials. Often, multilayer fiberglass is used for this. Such material is resistant to any damage and temperature effects, while it also has some disadvantages. Due to the high cost of fiberglass bowls, only a few basic models are provided.
Necessary equipment
Specific equipment is the heart of any fountain; not only its functioning, but also its durability often depends on the correctness of its choice. It is recommended not to focus on the cheapest options. Almost always, this indicates the low quality of the equipment, as well as the shortened terms of its operation.
Did you know? The largest fountain in the world is the "King Friedrich Fountain", built on the territory of Saudi Arabia in 1983. The height of its stream reaches 320 m, which to this day is considered an absolute record.
Choosing a fountain pump
The pump plays a key role in the arrangement of the fountain. The height of the water supply, as well as the power of the upward fluid flow, depends on its power and other structural features. Today, there are only two varieties of such electrical equipment: submersible and surface. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the engine power, the volume of fluid supply per minute, as well as the maximum height by which the unit can lift water.
Submersible
Such models, first of all, are distinguished by the fact that they are installed at the bottom of the tank (bowl) for fluid intake. Such models are one of the most popular because they are reliable, cheap and easy to care for, as well as installation.
However, this pump is often installed only when erecting small fountains intended for decorative purposes. If the bowl will be used as a special-purpose reservoir (for swimming), there is a high probability of damage to both the unit itself and its associated components.
Surface
Surface pumps are installed outside the fountain; they draw water from a separate tank, often installed outside the fountain. The inlet and outlet of water in this case are carried out using a hose system. They can be installed both inside the structure and outside, in the form of underwater highways.
Despite their reliability and ease of maintenance, surface pumps are not popular. Most often they become the cause of all kinds of difficulties in installing hoses, which causes additional costs and time.Is it possible to make a fountain without a pump
If you do not want to spend additional funds on pumping equipment, you can build an existing fountain using simple laws of physics. In this case, the construction of the so-called Heron Fountain is the best solution. It is a sealed construction of a bowl and a water intake tank.
To do it, you must:
- Take any large container and fill it with water to half.
- Set it in a stationary position.
- Secure the water intake bowl to the desired location.
- Connect the tank to the cup using two tubing hoses of different diameters. A hose with a smaller diameter (approximately 10% smaller than the other) should be placed with one edge on the bottom of the tank, and the other drawn through the bowl and set at the right point for water supply. A tube with a large diameter is mounted on the bottom of the bowl, and the other side is led into the air cap of the tank.
- Seal all joints of the tubes with the bowl and tank with special building sealants (silicone, mastic, etc.).
To start this design, it is enough to pour a small amount of water below the level of the outlet hose into the bowl. In this case, a forced pressure is created in the system, pushing the liquid out of the tank out. Such a fountain will function until the liquid level drops or the joints are depressurized.
Fountain creation
Most often, the construction of the fountain does not cause any difficulties for gardeners, however, without some knowledge and skills, it is not recommended to start the procedure.
Important! All pumping equipment is powered by an electrical network, so before laying the foundation, you must definitely install a waterproof outlet or a special garden extension cord.
In this case, it is sufficient to adhere to the following successive steps:
- Mark the area with wooden pegs and thread.
- Remove topsoil with turf.
- Create in the soil the necessary depression for the bowl, as well as the water tank. Make a hole with a margin of approximately 10% of the desired volume.
- Install the formwork in place of the pit and make a concrete base. After the mixture has dried, lay on top of any waterproofing material.
- From the withdrawn soil, build the main cascade and the required number of additional. Pull the water supply hose through the cascades and securely fasten it.
- Strengthen the fountain with natural stones and cement mortar. This should be done so that the soil base is not further eroded due to fluid draining along the cascades.
- Install a tank to collect water at the bottom of the pit, and then the necessary pumping equipment. All the gaps between the base and the tank must be filled with soil and compacted well.
- Pour liquid into the bowl and perform a test run of the fountain.
Decoration
After the base is completely ready, and the cement mortar dries, you can proceed to the decorative design of the composition. The procedure involves two consecutive steps. First, the fountain and the surrounding area should be decorated with natural stone, all kinds of statues and other elements. In this case, it is necessary to create a small transition zone between the structure and the main territory of the garden. To do this, use small stones or granite screenings.
Next, you should start landscaping the territory. To do this, the nearby area is decorated with all kinds of water-loving plant species, including annual flowering crops. Vegetation should definitely create the necessary contrast, while the best option is a uniform and short-cut lawn. If desired, aquatic vegetation can be planted in an open tank. In addition to revitalizing the entire composition, it will allow you to clean the liquid from fine contaminants.Care and maintenance rules
Caring for the cascading fountain is quite simple and can be performed successfully even by a novice gardener. First of all, it must be periodically cleaned of fallen leaves and other pollutants, otherwise the pump system can be damaged. To avoid this, cleaning is carried out at least once a week. At the same time, it is absolutely necessary to completely drain the water about 1 time per month and clean the pump and bowl walls from dirt.
In addition, it is recommended to regularly update the water in the system, in order to avoid "flowering". As an alternative, a variety of cleaning products can be used to help protect the filters and pump from this problem. However, the liquid is still necessary, at least 1 time per month, should be changed to clean.At the end of the season, it is recommended to prepare the fountain for winter. To do this, the water is completely drained, and all surfaces are cleaned of algae and other deposits. If possible, the pump should also be dismantled at this time. After this, the structure must be covered with a spanbond. In this form, the fountain will winter most safely, which will only positively affect its longevity.
Despite all kinds of conflicting opinions, own fountain on the site is not a luxury, but a very real project to implement. To do this, you just need to choose the right place, as well as acquire the necessary equipment. In this case, it is recommended to pay special attention to the preparation of the site: only this will achieve a solid foundation, as well as long-term functioning of the fountain without any problems.