How to Make a Water Fountain

A fountain pump pushes water through a tubing system.

You need three components for a basic water fountain: water flowing through a pipe system that recycles it, a pump to move the water through the system and some sort of sculptural piece the water flows over. Look for waterproof material like piled rocks or a plastic bucket for an overflow fountain. Pottery, pavers and certain metals may also work for a tower-style fountain as well.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Bucket
• Pump
• Gravel
• Measuring tape
• PVC conduit
• Mesh screen
• Wire cutters
• Copper tubing
• Decking
• Stones/pottery pieces
• Drill with masonry bit
• Water
• Outer-glazed pot
• Inner bowl/basin
• Caulking

Instructions

Fountain Pump Setup

1. Dig a hole in the ground 2 inches deeper than your plastic bucket. This becomes your water basin where the pump sits. Dig a narrow, shallow trench running from the hole to the nearest exterior electrical outlet.

2. Place a 2-inch layer of gravel inside the hole. Place the bucket inside the hole with the rim at ground level. Adjust the gravel and basin so it sits securely. Place the pump inside the bucket.

3. Measure the distance from the hole to the exterior outlet. Cut a piece of PVC conduit to that length. Thread a piece of string through the conduit. Tape the end of that string to the pump's electrical plug. Pull at the opposite end of the string to bring the plug and cord through the entire length of the conduit. Tape the plug to the end to keep it from slipping. Place the conduit inside the trench. Cover the trench with the soil you dug out earlier.

4. Lay the mesh screen over the plastic basin. Mark where the center of the pump sits on the screen and the edge nearest the conduit trench.

5. Cut a tiny door in the mesh screen butting against the mark where the pump sat below. The end of the door that flaps up should sit on the edge where the conduit trench sits so you can reach your hand in and access the pump and conduit as needed.

6. Cut a piece of tubing the height you want your water fountain. Attach the piece of tubing to the pump, slipping the mesh screen over it and lowering it down to the ground so the pipe stands up coming through the center of the screen with the flap sitting near the conduit.

7. Lay pieces of decking long enough to stretch across the pit on either side. Set them over the screen.

Tower Fountain

1. Stack stones, pottery or metal pieces for the most visually pleasing arrangement if you're making a stacked fountain. Number the bottom of each one so you know the order. Place each stone on gravel, and drill through the flat side using a drill with a 5/8-inch masonry bit. Repeat for each piece. Splash cool water on each stone to keep the bit and stone cool.

2. Thread each stone back on the tubing in your preferred order. Mark where the top of the final stone hits on the tube. Remove the stone, then cut the pipe to just below the mark. Replace the stone.

3. Fill the pump basin with water until it sits 5 inches below the water line. Plug in the pump, and test your fountain.

Basin Fountain

1. Drill a hole in the center of a large glazed pot if you're making a basin fountain. Fit the bucket firmly over the tubing coming out of the mesh screen.

2. Bead caulking around the inside lip of the outer bucket. Place the smaller bowl, with a hole drilled in the bottom, over the tube and into the outer bucket. Check that the bowl makes solid contact with the caulking. Allow it to dry overnight.

3. Fill the pump basin with water until it sits 5 inches below the water line. Plug in the pump, and test your fountain.

References

• This Old House; How to Build a Fountain; Harry Sawyers
• Sunset: Make a Soothing Fountain