DIY decorative fountain: instructions for lovers

After a hard day, you want to relax, feel a slight coolness, listen to the soothing murmur of water in the fountain. It will not only decorate your summer cottage, but will also become a place to relax. Make a small decorative fountain with your own hands won't be a big deal.

Content:

• Decorative fountain: description and varieties
• What do you need for work?
• Step-by-step instructions for building a stone fountain
• Fountain from an old tire: stages of work
• Fountain decoration

Decorative fountain: description and varieties

A fountain is a hydraulic structure where water is pressurized upward or to the sides using a pump. Taking into account how the water flow moves, the following types of fountain are distinguished:

• Geyser. Under pressure, water is thrown upward or at an angle. In this case, the height can be varied.
• Cascade. To create such a fountain you will need flat stones. Water flowing down them will create the illusion of a stepped waterfall.
• Bell. This device looks like a pipe and has two disks at the end. As a result, when water falls from the disks, a hemisphere is formed.

There are more complex designs that combine several varieties, for example cascade and geyser. Pumps for fountains are submersible and stationary. The first type is installed at the bottom of the reservoir and it seems as if water is erupting from underground. A surface or stationary fountain is made in the form of some kind of figure.

Place to place a fountain

You should choose a place for a fountain taking into account the appearance plot. It is also necessary to take into account the slope of the ground. It is recommended to place the fountain in a low area. It is undesirable to place a hydraulic structure in open areas, since the sun's rays can lead to “blooming” of water.

It is also undesirable to place a fountain next to trees, because fallen leaves, fluff, seeds, and fruits will clog the structure, and the powerful root system can deform the bowl. It is not recommended to place the fountain near the house, as the wind can transfer moisture to the walls of the building. It is important that the decorative fountain is visible from all sides.

What do you need for work?

To build a stone fountain you will need the following materials:

• Sand and gravel
• Fountain container
• Film
• Pump
• Stones
• Decorative elements
• PVC pipe
• water pump

If you plan to build a fountain from a tire, then you need to prepare:

• Tire
• Cement mixture
• Metal posts
• Waterproofing mastic
• Reinforcing rods

The tools you need to prepare are electrical tape, a hand saw, a drill, a hammer, an adjustable wrench, scissors, and a building level. For a fountain, it is better to use a submersible pump. When choosing a pump, you must remember that the power must be proportional to the diameter of the pipe. The power is selected depending on the diameter of the bowl: the larger the container, the more power you need to choose a pump.

Step-by-step instructions for building a stone fountain

The construction of the fountain consists of several stages. Preparing the pit. Dig a trench to a depth of more than 5 cm than the height of the container. At this stage you need to make a small groove to the socket. Next, fill the gravel with a layer of about 5 cm.Installation of tank and pump. Next, place the container and PVC pipe. These elements need to be connected. After this, fill the ditch with earth. Then install the pump in the fountain container.

It is necessary to mark and make exit holes. Next, connect the container to a copper pipe, add gravel to the bottom and secure the pump. The pump must be installed in such a way that it can be reached for preventative maintenance.

Strengthening the fountain. Place boards and slats on the installed bowl. Laying stones. At the final stage, lay flat stones on top of each other and mark the location for the hole. Next, stones are threaded into the holes made onto the copper pipe. If there are gaps between large stones, you can fill the gaps with small stones.

Next, fill the bowl with water, connect the pump and adjust the pressure. The fountain is ready for use. The finished structure should resemble a children's pyramid. The water that will be supplied by the pump flows freely over the stones back into the bowl. This creates a unique effect that resembles a mountain stream.

Fountain from an old tire: stages of work

Location on In a country house, you can use available materials to build a fountain: a tractor tire, an old bathtub, etc.

Step-by-step instructions for making a tire fountain:

1. Preparing the pit. Taking into account the size of the tire, you need to dig a shallow pit. Next, fill in the gravel-sand mixture, and pour a cement mixture about 10 cm high on top. This must be done carefully, checking the horizontalness with a building level.
2. Tire installation. After the foundation has hardened, install a tire on the base. First, the top part on one side needs to be trimmed a little.The joint between the foundation and the tire must be filled with a thin layer of waterproofing mastic in the center.
3. Tire fixation. To fix the tire, you need to make formwork around it, lay reinforcement and pour the cement mixture. Pump installation. Install a pump in the middle of the structure of the future fountain. Can be used with a nozzle to spray water.

At the final stage, decorate the fountain with natural stones or use other materials. The same technology is used to install a fountain from a bathtub. Anyone can make a small fountain in their summer cottage, the main thing is to follow the instructions, and you can decorate it at your own discretion.

Fountain decoration

When all stages of work on constructing the fountain have been completed, you can begin decorating. You can use various objects as decoration: sculptures, stones, aquatic plants. The lighting will look original. It will transform the fountain and create a whimsical and magical effect.

The backlight can be masked at the bottom of the reservoir and at dusk a peculiar effect of glowing water will be observed. For this purpose, you can use underwater lighting devices and various floating lamps.

Installation lighting can be done around the perimeter of the bowl or to accentuate the main attractive object of the fountain. The lifespan of your fountain can be extended if you care for it properly. With the onset of cold weather, the removable elements need to be dismantled, the water from the bowl drained, and the bowl itself covered with a film to protect it from dust, precipitation, and dirt. Next to the fountain in your summer cottage, you can set up a gazebo and decorate it with flowers. A cozy corner can be made from old armchairs, benches, etc.

Video on how to make a decorative fountain: