How to Build a Swimming Pool Waterfall

This article details the construction of a swimming pool waterfall using both natural and created stones and boulders. This is a waterfall I built for a customer professionally.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Boat dock foam
• Mortar
• Wheelbarrow
• Metal lathe
• Stone
• Various latex paint

1. Each of these steps is crucial to the final outcome. You have to be able to see your final goal when taking the first step. This takes experience earned by a lot of sweat, blood and frustration.

2. 
   This is a project for the advanced carpenter that is familiar with waterfall construction.

   Build a base structure for your waterfall to sit on. If it is going to be close to the ground I recommend a concrete block foundation. The waterfall I constructed here was above the ground with two levels, so I built a treated wood foundation.

3. 
   Secure your liner. Make sure it fits everywhere.

   Line the structure with heavy pond liner.

4. Make a chase for your return waterline to hide in. This can be tricky. It has to get the water there without being seen. You also need to consider lighting at this point.

5. 

   Set styrofoam boat dock pieces in place. Cut them to fit the location and shape them accordingly.

6. 

   Set your real stones in place so they can be built around with the artificail stone that you are going to create. The waterfall lip needs to be real to withstand the constant flow of water.

7. 

   Be sure to leave plant pockets. These will help soften your rock formation and add life.

8. 

   After styrofoam is in place, wrap all of it with metal lathe like the type used behind stucco and tile.

9. 

   Begin layering a mortar mix on the wire lathe. This is basically to cover the lathe for further build up. Use a type S mortar mix.

10. 

    Keep adding layers, building up to the shape you want. When you get to the final layer, use your trowel to cut grooves and cracks into the mortar so that it looks like an old weathered rock.

11. 

    When all of your layers are complete, use a latex exterior paint to color the formation. It will take several layers of colors to acheive a realistic look.

12. 

    Turn the falls on and see how they look. Add more color if needed. Add plants as well. I suggest using artificial plants since your waterfall will probably be in the direct sun and have chlorine or salt based water splashing on it.

13. Turn your lights on and move them around to get the effect you want.

14. 

    Enjoy! You are ready to swim in your own backyard paradise. You can dive into a stress free environment for peace and happiness.

Tips & Warnings

• Outdoor speakers are a plus. I suggest nature tapes such as the ocean or bayou which has alot of frog/water sounds.
• Keep safety in mind always around water
• Supervise children at all times
• Use ground fault circuit breakers.

Resources

• If you live in North carolina, contact me through my Blog for pond and waterfall creation pricing.

[NakedWriter]

on 7/2/2009 Runkitta... Sorry, I don't really have any good photos of the chase line. As far as advice, I just sort of work it in as I go. It's hard to do and harder to explain. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[runkitta]

on 7/2/2009 Can you show photos of how you ran the chase line?

[NakedWriter]

on 1/27/2009 1 Internet Smarty...This pool was an aboveground. To answer your question, not only will it work for an in ground, but it is much easier to do with an inground. With an inground you have a solid base to build on. The pool in this article required a complicated raised base. Thanks for reading and asking! Naked Writer

[1InternetSmarty]

on 1/27/2009 Ours is in ground, this looks like an out of ground one? Will it work for either? I'd love to do this with ours. Thanks. Five stars, put in favs.

[Stuti]

on 12/29/2008 Cool!!! Creative idea :)