Keep the fountain filled with debris-free water during the season so the pump doesn't burn out. Before winter, drain the basins to prevent water from freezing and cracking the structure. Pro or DIY? Pair a pump with rocks or an urn to create your own, or buy a kit and set it up yourself—unless the fountain is too heavy. Call in a pro to install cast-concrete kits over pounds.
If toddlers will be present, go with a "pondless" type that collects water below ground, to nix any risk of drowning. The path water takes down the fountain helps set the tone of the feature, not to mention the volume level and how often you'll have to refill it. Here are five options to consider. Tip: Fountain too loud? Try adding a layer of river rocks to the basin. They'll soften the crash of the water while reducing the distance the water falls.
A sheet of water slips down the surface of an object, such as an urn, to a reservoir that holds a pump beneath a layer of decorative stone a pondless fountain.
Smooth surfaces make the water sound like a running garden hose, while something textured disrupts the flow, creating more of a trickling sound. Water clinging to the side of the fountain is not easily lost to splashing, but that thin layer evaporates quickly on hot days, so frequent refilling may be required. A bubbler set in a basin gently churns the surface of the water, providing a primarily visual experience—and a strong magnet for birds and butterflies.
Because the water doesn't tumble down the side, bubblers are probably the quietest fountains. They lose very little water to splashing or wind, minimizing your refilling duties. Dozens of droplets squeezing through holes and falling like a beaded curtain into a pool of water or a rock-filled basin create the hypnotic patter of a rain shower.
The taller the structure and the deeper the pool, the louder the storm. A lot of water splashes out and gets carried away by wind, so plan on replenishing the pool frequently.
Concentrated streams of water gushing from one level to the next into open pools make a forceful sound, like that of a pot filler—distracting for some, meditative for others. Leapfrogging basin-to-basin leaves the water vulnerable to wind gusts, so maintaining the level can be a bit of a chore.
Water spilling over from the top pool and into subsequent tiers produces a symphonic splashing that can mask unwanted noise. This fountain also needs to be refilled more often than the other configurations, save for the rain fountain. The pump's flow control can reduce the fountain's volume and splash loss, but the point of this style isn't to cue up quietude. There's a fountain for every kind of yard, but selecting the right spot calls for balancing its size and shape with the style of your garden.
Tucked into a planting bed, a gently bubbling urn attracts pollinators. Scale it slightly taller than adjacent plants to make it visible from other points in the yard, and keep it away from loud mechanical noise—air conditioners, say—that might overpower its soothing sounds. A 6-foot-tall fountain is hard to miss, from either the yard or a window with a view. Place a traditional tiered version at intersecting pathways in a formal design that divides the lawn into quadrants.
Outdoor water fountains offer a large focal point, though not one that will ever overwhelm your outdoor space. Outdoor fountains have a huge plus of being easy to install, and only require a flat surface of sufficient space. Additionally, outdoor water fountains can attract local wildlife, like birds, and mitigate any nearby noise pollution with the sound of rippling water. While water fountains come in a huge variety of materials, the best water fountains are made out of natural stone.
Natural stone water fountains often require the least amount of maintenance and upkeep and are often naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria build-up. If you think white lights are too harsh for the relaxing atmosphere you are creating in your yard, choose colored lights. Amber lights are often considered soothing.
Multicolored lights might provide a fun element. The location of the fountain is one of the most important choices you have to make. If the fountain requires a constant water supply or a hardwired energy source, taking the location of water lines and electrical connections into consideration is critical.
A paved path leading to the fountain or a water feature around the fountain are two possible options to consider. Planting flowers or ground cover around the fountain helps to add beauty to a stand-alone fountain. The City of San Diego allows residents to use outdoor decorative fountains during periods of water restriction if the fountain has a re-circulating pump. Outdoor fountains that have re-circulating pumps continue to use the same water until the water has to be drained for cleaning or until it evaporates and needs to be refilled.
All water fountains have to be cleaned periodically. Having a scummy layer of algae can make your fountain look bad.
Some fountains have a cleaning cycle that helps to keep them clean. Even if there is a cleaning cycle, you should still drain the fountain and wipe it down.
Each fountain manufacturer has guidelines for cleaning the fountains they produce. Following those directions can help you keep your fountain in tip-top shape. Basically the more water you want to pump, the higher the GPH you will need. Factors include the height of the fountain spray desire or the height the water must be pumped to before it returns to the basin via a waterfall. The reservoir is the area where the pump sits and water gathers again for circulation.
For large waterfall fountains, this could even be a small pond at the base of the water feature. Basins catch the falling water and redirect it to the reservoir to continue the cycle.
According to Family Handyman , in homemade fountains, a bucket is often buried below the main structure of the fountain to collect the water and house the pump.
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