A Fountain of Information: Installing a Freestanding Water Feature

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Rich Binsacca

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A decorative fountain is an easy way to bring soothing sound and beauty to any outdoor living space.

Adding a water fountain to your garden is an easy way to bring sound, interest and even romance to your outdoor living space. If you’ve never owned or installed a garden fountain before, the idea of adding such a feature to your yard may seem intimidating. The good news is it’s not as difficult as you might think. But before running out to buy the first fountain you fall in love with, it’s a good idea to understand how these great garden accessories work in general, as well as what goes into installing them.

Every fountain, regardless of style or location, needs a water reservoir and recirculating pump to push the water through a delivery pipe to feed a spout or spray head. The shape of the spout determines the pattern assumed by the water, and the desired height and diameter of the spray pattern determine the size of the pump. For example, a 300 gallons-per-minute (GPH) pump will provide a simple fountain with a spray 2 feet high and 28 inches in diameter. A 1,200 GPH pump will power the same fountainhead to cascade 8 feet high and spray water 128 inches in diameter!

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A wall fountain is typically a smaller version of a freestanding feature and a great way to dress up an ordinary or unattractive garden wall.

Freestanding fountains rest on a secure, level on-grade base penetrating the soil below the frost line. They’re usually constructed from concrete or mortared brick, though sometimes they’re a single massive stone set into the soil and then leveled. The fountain’s structure conceals the delivery pipe hidden within its column, often including the recirculating pump and its electrical cord. For waterspouts, the delivery pipe can be hidden by stones or other facets of the design, or it can be built into paving or walls near the fountain. Pedestal fountains rise from a catch basin that contains the pump and collects the falling water.

Like other structural features, fountains and waterspouts require periodic maintenance. If you live in a cold-winter climate, you’ll need to drain your fountain and store its fountainhead and pump throughout the winter, submerging the equipment in a bucket of clean, cool water in a heated garage or toolshed to prevent its seals and gaskets from drying out and cracking. Similarly, you should treat a concrete or stone fountain or statue with a waterproof coating to prevent moisture infiltration that, if your fountain should freeze, could cause cracks.

Fountains with self-contained reservoirs and pumps make a beautiful addition to landscape gardens, are easy to install and require minimal skills. Locate your fountain near an existing GFCI-protected outlet, or contact a licensed electrician to install one at the site for you. The steps shown in the following pictures and captions demonstrate how to install a typical self-contained fountain in an outdoor living space.

Warnings

Stand-alone fountains are heavy – especially when filled with water. If you’re planning on adding a fountain to a deck, balcony or other raised surface, choose one that’s light enough to be supported on the floor it will be resting on.

Facts

The sound of flowing water is effective for masking unwanted noise from nearby roadways or playgrounds.
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The exposed portions of most fountains are made from reconstituted stone, precast concrete, plastic or fiberglass, allowing you many options for design, durability and weight.

Tips

Wall fountains are a great décor option for dressing up a blank garden wall, and they look especially attractive when plants are placed on either side of them. They require electric power for the pump, so if you’re constructing a new wall, have a licensed professional properly install the delivery pipe and electrical power cable within the wall itself. If you’re adding a wall fountain to an existing wall, plan to conceal the pipe and power line behind climbing plants, a containerized tree, artwork or a trellis, or bury it in the soil on the upgrade side of the wall if possible.

Come to The Garden Party and share your fountain of experience with the rest of our Learn2Grow community! Post some pictures of your water feature, create a blog, or join The Party’s Water Gardening Group to share and discover more fantastic water garden ideas!

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