A do-it-yourself decorative fountain in the country will serve as a decoration for the landscape and a favorite resting place. The embodiment of the idea involves the use of purchased and improvised materials. The technology is not complex.
What can be a fountain
The appearance of a garden fountain depends on the diameter of the nozzle, the location and level of water pressure, which can be sprayed, directed upward, and flowed along the walls of the device.
Do-it-yourself fountains in the country can be of different types:
- Bell. It is the simplest design. The water supply is carried out under low pressure. The jet rises low. The water is distributed by the nozzle evenly around the circle. A hemisphere is formed from the water film, in which the rays of the sun are refracted.
- Geyser. The head indicator is higher. The jets rush upward or to the sides. When regulated, their height changes.
- Cascade. The most spectacular view. The design includes several containers that are located at different levels. A cascading fountain forms a waterfall in the form of steps.
- Combined. The device includes a geyser and bell effect. Installation is complex.
Before you build a street fountain, you should consider not only the decorative characteristics, but also the cost of the component parts. An important role is played by the design features of the site, as well as the size of the reservoir.
Pros and cons of the fountain
The undoubted advantage of the fountain in the courtyard is its attractiveness. It also provides coolness and relaxation. With the right choice of location, it gives the territory a complete look.
Artificial fountains have certain disadvantages. The reservoir requires control and some care. Considering that the pump requires electricity for its functionality, operation is associated with certain monetary costs, which, with the endless operation of the device, can be quite high.
Location selection
It is not recommended to install the fountain in the garden near trees or bushes, as the leaves falling from them contribute to the clogging of the bowl and pump. The device will look harmonious next to a flower garden, flower bed or on a lawn.
A cascade of water, even in a small pond, increases the level of humidity. This contributes to damage to the facade when the fountain is located directly close to a private house or other buildings.
It is also important to consider the frequency of windy weather in the area. It is recommended to set an indicator of the prevailing wind direction. If you place the structure on the leeward side, you will have to often remove debris.
A fountain in an open area is not the best option. This is especially true for regions with hot summers. Throughout the day, light and shadow should change. Otherwise, the temperature of the water in the bowl will rise greatly, which will lead to breakdown of the pumping structure. Direct sunlight should not fall on the reservoir, as they provoke the appearance of mud and an unpleasant odor from the water.
In the garden, it is recommended to prepare a site in advance in order to be able to approach the fountain.You also need to take care that the structure is not covered by other elements of landscape design.
What is needed to build a structure
To equip the fountain with your own hands you will need:
- bowl container;
- hose or pipe for water supply;
- pumping device;
- waterproofing materials;
- filter;
- nozzle;
- shovel;
- silicone based sealant.
To illuminate the reservoir, waterproof lamps or LED strips are used. A current converter is required to power the devices from 12V or 24V. In some cases, a solar-powered device is installed.
Bowl device
Ready-made industrial tanks, as well as old unnecessary materials, can be taken as the basis for the capacity of a home-made fountain. There is an option for concreting the base. In some cases, they resort to laying a special film.
Plastic bowl
For the classic look, which has a round, square or oval shape, a plastic tank is used. It can be of different volumes - from tens of liters to several tons. The products are made in black or blue.
On a light background, the pollution is more visible. More practical to use is a black bowl.
The selected container is buried at the level of the ground, or a side is left, which is decorated with stone or pebbles. Depending on the volume of the bowl, the depth of the pit is selected. He's digging out more.
When the required depth is reached, all snags and roots are removed. The bottom is leveled and covered with a layer of sand 10 cm thick. A bowl is installed on the prepared base, which is filled with water. Soil or sand is poured into the gap between the walls of the tank and the pit. The first filler is used for draining soil, and the second for clayey soil. After a while, the soil or sand will settle down. Therefore, additional sealing is required.
Monolithic concrete thickets
A fountain in the country with your own hands can have a concrete base. It is necessary to make a structure with sides. The process is lengthy and costly. Waterproofing is also required.
Film-based pit
Is the cheapest option. Dense polyethylene is used as a basis, but the duration of its operation is 1-2 years. Special films designed for the construction of the pool are more reliable.
When laying the film, the excavation is primarily carried out, and then the alignment of its walls. When the required size is reached, the horizontal platform is leveled and covered with a layer of sand. The film is laid on top without tension. The edges of the material are covered with soil and pressed against boulders. To prevent the germination of roots of trees or shrubs, it is necessary to lay geotextiles.
Experts recommend choosing composite bowls, since the material is not subject to thermal deformation. The line consists of products of various sizes and colors. The composite fountain looks very impressive.
How to make a fountain without a reservoir
If it is impossible to create a reservoir, you can create a structure without it. The process does not require any special skills.
A do-it-yourself fountain at home is made from the following materials:
- plastic bowl;
- submersible pump,
- filter;
- dense film;
- fine mesh metal mesh;
- sand and stones for decoration.
Step-by-step instruction:
- The marking of a circle with a diameter of 2 times larger than the indicator of the bowl. The soil is selected to a depth of 10 cm. A hole is dug in the center of the circle according to the size of the container.
- Sand cushion formation. The bowl is installed so that its edges rise 5 cm above the surface. The horizontal of the container must be monitored. Water is poured into the bowl 5 cm to the edge.
- Installation in the tank of a submersible pump, on which the nozzle is put on. Pressure regulation is important. The water should flow into the bowl and not splash on the sides.
- Cutting a circle of film along the diameter of the reservoir. The cuts are made in the center of the material so that the edges of the material are covered by the rim of the bowl.
- Laying several metal rods on the film, and on top of them meshes with a slot for a nozzle.
For the purpose of decoration, small stones, pebbles, shells are placed on the grid. Plants can be planted around the perimeter. As a container, you can use a barrel, flowerpot, basin, old bath. In the execution of the structure, a creative approach is possible.
Decoration
To create a natural, wilderness-like atmosphere, stones of one or two rocks should be used. It is recommended to plant plants for which the optimum environment is high humidity.
In some cases, the owners of country cottages prefer to populate the reservoir with fish. In this case, it is required to clarify how a particular decorative breed is capable of withstanding the noise of falling water.
Care and maintenance
The fountain needs maintenance and adherence to certain operating rules. The main ones include the replacement of water in the container every 3-4 days with a new one, as well as periodic washing of the thicket from the mucus that collects on the bottom and walls.
In winter, it is better to clean the structure. This will prevent damage to parts. When installing the fountain and decorations, it is necessary to provide access to all components of the device.
