How to Build Stone Water Fountains
There is something delightful about the sound of splashing water in the garden on a hot day. Water fountains are a source of relaxation and can serve as a handsome conversational piece in your yard. For those on a budget, a circular paving stone fountain is a refreshing water featured suitable for both large and small gardens. Add attractive landscaping around this fountain for a do-it-yourself refreshing oasis. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Rake
- Landscape fabric
- Landscape fabric pins
- Sump: a preformed plastic liner with a lid to fit
- Marking chalk
- Utility knife
- Shovel
- Carpenter's level
- Circular paving stone
- Measuring tape
- Drill with 1/2-inch masonry bit
- Small submersible fountain pump
- Fountain head with extension pipe
- River rock
Instructions
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1
Locate a suitable spot for the fountain. This spot should be level, close to an electrical outlet and highly visible. Clear all debris, including sticks and overgrown vegetation. Use a rake to smooth out the area.
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2
Lay a piece of landscape fabric over the area for the fountain, and secure it with landscape pins.
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3
Trace the base of the sump you will use on the landscape fabric, using marking chalk. Cut around the chalked line.
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4
Dig a 10-inch-deep hole for the sump. Lay a carpenter's level across the open hole to ensure that it is level. Put the sump in the hole.
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5
Place an 18-inch paving stone on a flat surface and find the center point of the stone. Make a mark at this point.
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6
Use a drill with a 1/2-inch masonry bit to make a hole in the center of the paving stone that is large enough for the extension pipe of your submersible pump to fit through.
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Secure the submersible pump in the bottom of the sump. Attach an extension pipe to the fountain pump. Pull the electrical cord for the fountain outside the plastic bowl, and thread it under the landscape fabric.
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8
Fill the sump halfway with water. Plug the fountain pump into a ground-fault-interrupter outlet, and ensure that the pump is working. Place the lid on top of the sump, making sure that the extension pipe is centered in the lid hole.
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9
Carefully place the stone paver on top of the lid so that the fountain head extension tube goes through the hole. Use a carpenter's level to ensure that the stone is level. Attach the fountain head to the extension pipe.
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10
Dig holes in the landscape fabric, and plant flowers of various heights around the fountain. Cover the landscape fabric with river rock.
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Tips & Warnings
Add lights around the fountain for effect.
Wear eye protection when working with power equipment.
Check the fountain regularly to be sure it has plenty of water.
Drain the fountain, and store the pump inside during cold weather.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
