Even the smallest fountain can transform the landscape of a summer cottage or a private house beyond recognition. The decorative structure will definitely become a favorite resting place on your site, because it will give you the opportunity to unite with nature at any moment. Do you want it to become a reality faster? There is nothing super complicated here - everyone can make a fountain with their own hands. Don't believe me? Then to your attention a step-by-step instruction with a photo, following which you can quickly and without the involvement of professionals get a spectacular and functional fountain.
Choosing a fountain
First of all, you need to choose the right type of fountain for your site. We are talking about its dimensions, shape and materials. When solving this issue, be guided by the area and style of the courtyard of your summer cottage or private house.
So, for a large plot, it is better to choose a classical sculptural model, which will become the center of the landscape composition. And for a modest courtyard, fountains in the form of small architectural forms are suitable: sea shells, fairytale heroes, houses, pots and other similar figures.
But it is not necessary to buy a ready-made sculpture, because you can also build a fountain with your own hands. The simplest option is a stone construction. To make it, lay large flat stones on top of each other, make holes in each of them with an electric drill and string all the resulting products onto a copper pipe - it is through it that water will flow to the top of the structure. Then close the gaps with small stones and seal the gaps with silicone sealant.
Choosing a location
The next step is to decide exactly where the fountain will be located on the site. In order for a structure to fully fulfill its aesthetic function, it cannot be installed “anywhere” - it is important to choose the best location. And for this you need to take into account several nuances.
- Firstly, there is no place for a fountain in an area that is too open, since under the influence of active sunlight, the water can begin to “bloom”.
- Secondly, the fountain should not be located among powerful trees - their roots can provoke deformation of the reservoir and waterproofing. In addition, the leaves, fluff, fruits and seeds of trees will constantly pollute the fountain.
- Thirdly, the structure should not be too close to the house, otherwise moisture with the flow of wind will fall on its walls.
- Fourthly, it is undesirable to stir the fountain in the open wind, so that its gusts do not "break" the jets.
Thus, the ideal location for a decorative fountain is light partial shade surrounded by flowers and low bushes.
When you choose a place, proceed directly to the arrangement of the fountain. It involves the phased implementation of three main groups of work:
- tank preparation;
- pump installation;
- installation and decoration of the fountain.
Preparing the tank
In order for the fountain to be durable and solid, it is necessary to equip a special reservoir for hydraulic equipment and water. This is done as follows:
- Dig a pit with a pre-calculated depth and diameter you need.
Important! The depth level of the tank must be below ground level so that the soil around the fountain bowl does not wash away and the base does not deform.
- Pour a thin layer of sand on the bottom of the resulting pit and carefully reinforce its side walls with bricks.
- Cover the inner surface of the pit with a thick plastic wrap - it will prevent the passage of water.
- Secure the tape along the top edge of the reservoir and seal the seams with frost-resistant silicone sealant. Pour stones on the bottom of the pit, spreading them over the surface of the film. The stones should not be sharp so as not to deform the film.
- Equip a small emergency drain near the pit in order to prevent an increase in the water level in the tank.
Install the pump
The fountain cannot work without the most important mechanism - the pump. It is he who is responsible for the continuous movement of the water flow. The general principle of operation of the pump is simple: water is thrown out through the nozzle into the reservoir, then enters the pipeline, where it undergoes coarse and fine cleaning, and then, already purified, is sent back to the nozzle.
The quality of the fountain's functioning directly depends on the type of pump:
- Submersible - works on the principle of a centrifuge and is located in the center of the fountain tank under water. This is a cheap but reliable device, for the installation of which no fasteners are needed - the submerged pump is quite heavy, so it does not budge itself. It is suitable for small weak fountains.
- Surface - a more serious type of pump, which is not installed inside the tank, but on its edge on the surface of the earth. Such a device is intended for large fountains with a complex design.
The piping for the pumping system can be constructed from plastic pipes. Their optimum diameter is 16 mm.
Advice. In order to enhance the work of the pump, additionally install a pressure tank - it will guarantee a constant pressure of the water flow.
Fountain decoration
After the main functional elements are installed, you need to take care of the installation of the fountain itself, or rather its upper part. If you are using ready-made sculptures, then they should be provided with special mounts for installation. But a homemade stone fountain is best installed on metal slats previously laid on top of the tank.
Then start decorating the structure. The fountain can be decorated with plants, stones of various sizes, clay figurines, microsculptures and any other details that seem appropriate to your site.
Do not forget about such a spectacular decoration tool as lighting. It can be underwater lights, light strips, floating lanterns, ground lamps - here you are also unlimited. But remember that lighting structures must be completely sealed, and all their contacts must be protected from water as reliably as possible, otherwise it will be unsafe to use them.
When all work is completed, fill the tank with water and start the fountain.
As you can see, to make a beautiful fountain with your own hands, you do not need to work hard and spend a lot of money. Do not deviate from the instructions, use high-quality materials and do not be afraid to experiment with decor - following these three simple rules, you will definitely get a functional fountain that will delight your eyes for more than one year and tune in a positive way.
What fountain to choose for a summer residence: video
Fountain in the country: photo
Fountains are used to improve the aesthetic appeal of small decorative ponds, pools and artificial reservoirs. The main structural element is a water pump, which builds up pressure, as a result of which a stream of water is supplied to a certain height.
You can buy a ready-made water unit or build a small pump for a fountain with your own hands using available materials.
The article describes the principle of operation of the pump, as well as provides detailed instructions for assembling a simple model. With all the materials at hand, it will be possible to make a pump in a couple of hours.
It is quite easy to design a full-fledged pump for a fountain, but it should be remembered that a unit made by yourself has a low power, therefore it is suitable for decorating small decorative bowls, sometimes - or fountains.
It is impossible to increase the pump power and assemble a system capable of supplying water at atmospheric pressure of 1 bar and higher at home - it is more expedient and cheaper to purchase a ready-made structure.
Image gallery
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The video provides information on how you can create a pump based on a micromotor with large dimensions:
Another option for making a low-power pump for a fountain:
There is nothing difficult in making a homemade fountain pump. The materials used for assembly are in every home, and the technology itself is simple and straightforward.
If you have experience in making fountain pump, please share information with our readers. Leave comments and add photos of your homemade products in the form below.
Whether it is a hot afternoon or a warm summer evening, the play of silver streams of water in the fountain leaves no one indifferent, and their freshness and coolness do not let go of them for a long time. At the same time, practice shows that it is easier to realize the life-giving movement of water in your country house than it might seem. If you are already the happy owner of a reservoir in the yard, then the reason to equip the fountain doubles.
Choosing the design and placement of a homemade fountain
Before proceeding with the arrangement of the fountain, you should think about how its appearance is in harmony with the design of the summer cottage, and its dimensions correspond to the size of your allotment.
The smaller the area of the site, the more modest the fountain should be. On the contrary, the large territory allows the realization of a whole complex with sculptures, a stream and a waterfall.
A fountain with a sculptural composition of ancient gods, animals and amphibians will perfectly fit in a classical garden with a well-defined layout. It is most convenient to make such figures from artificial stone, that is, polymer concrete. The named material can withstand any frost.
The modern garden will be decorated with a fountain made of glass and concrete, polymer materials and stone. A design of this type should be laconic, which will emphasize the thin silver jets of water.
The rustic style of landscape design will be supported by a composition consisting of large stones and wood elements. In this case, a cart or a mill will serve as a good addition to the design.
The factory-made floating fountain deserves special attention. It can be fixed in one place or another. In a large body of water, it is appropriate to place several torches of crumbling water.
Soaring fountains are a great idea for creativity. The miracle of levitation is easy to realize with your own hands in your yard, if you pay attention to the fact that the supporting element and the feeding tube of the structure are hidden in a stream of water. For example, a heavy stone can be mimicked with plastic façade panels, and a thin stainless steel tube provides support.
An interesting effect can be obtained by directing two jets of water against each other. In this case, high precision and accuracy of the design is required.
If you don't like swimming in a barrel, you can put a model of the head and hands there, and then release a stream of water from his mouth. People around you will definitely pay attention to such an unusual solution.
Streams of water flowing down the glass look original. Obviously, such a product is subject to home-made, however, the holes for the exit of water jets from the upper distribution pipe must be made especially carefully.
The choice of the location of the fountain should be taken seriously. So, too close proximity of trees and shrubs will lead to the appearance of leaves and debris in the water. In this case, the filter of the device will have to be replaced or cleaned frequently. Moreover, tree roots can destroy the pond bowl, leading to water leakage.
It is better if the sun visits the surface of the water for half a day. This lighting regime promotes optimal activity of aquatic plants, which can also contaminate the filter of the device.
There is no need to take risks and mount the decoration made of water too close to the wall of the building. Otherwise, moisture can lead to the destruction of both the foundation and the walls of the building. Another addition to the reservoir in the yard can be the arrangement of a stream and a waterfall, as discussed in the article
The principle of operation and types of fountains
According to the scheme of movement and water use, fountains are divided into closed and open structures. In a closed system, the same water is used, which is pumped in a circle with a pump, but in an open version, the water is constantly renewed.
If we talk about economy and convenience, it is better to choose a closed type fountain. Of course, you still have to add water, but it is already possible to do this as needed, for example, when evaporating or changing when it gets dirty. This choice saves time, effort and money. Moreover, in any design, the essence of the work is that water under pressure is supplied to the nozzle and sprayed.
According to the water outlet scheme, it is possible to distinguish options of a cascade type, a geyser, a diffuser and a bell. The cascade fountain consists of several containers placed at different heights. In this case, water is supplied to the uppermost of them, and then sequentially poured from the above bowl into the next one. In this design, the role of overflowing elements can be played by stones, pipes, jugs and everything that can withstand the effects of water.
A geyser is a natural source of water gushing out of the ground. Vertical jet fountains have a similar name. During operation, such a device creates a characteristic noise and moisturizes nearby plants and decor.
The sprayer can have many holes of different diameters and directions, which makes it possible to organize the movement of water of bizarre shapes. There are also nozzles that rotate under the influence of water, as is done in spray nozzles for irrigation.
A graceful hemisphere of water or a bell is organized by nozzles in the form of two parallel disks. A small water bell makes a gentle sound of water.
Required materials and equipment
Even in the case of creating a small closed-type fountain, you will still need a storage reservoir and a pump. A filter must be installed for smooth operation of the system, and a nozzle is required to spray water. Probably, you would like to decorate your own work with the help of special lighting. It may be necessary to stabilize the water flow and a receiver will be required.
Fountain pumps
According to the principle of operation, the units are divided into surface and submersible. The submersible pump is installed directly in the bowl, where it takes water and feeds it through the filter to the nozzle. Such a unit is characterized by ease of installation and small size. It is fixed on a small elevation in the center of the reservoir so that it does not capture sediments at the bottom.
The surface pump lasts longer and is easier to maintain. A similar unit is mounted outside the reservoir. In this case, the water is sucked in by the pump through the filter and hose and supplied to the sprayer.
The pump with a power of 70 W will provide a lifting height of the jet up to 1.5 m. The unit is convenient with the ability to adjust the water supply pressure. You can roughly select a pump using the table below.
| Fountain Pump Selection Chart | ||
| Fountain type | Maximum rise of the fountain jet, m | Pump capacity, m3 / hour |
| Geyser | 0,2 | 2 |
| 0,3 | 3 | |
| 0,5 | 4 | |
| 0,7 | 5 | |
| 0,8 | 7 | |
| Hemisphere | 0,3 | 0,9 |
| 0,4 | 1,2 | |
| 0,55 | 3 | |
| 0,8 | 4 | |
| 0,9 | 6 | |
| Cascading | 0,6 | 1 |
| 1 | 2 | |
| 1,5 | 3 | |
| 2 | 5 | |
| 2,5 | 6 | |
| 3 | 8 | |
By definition, the water in a summer cottage fountain cannot remain clean, so a filter will be required for the entire system to function properly. An important design element is the nozzle, which determines the number, direction and shape of the jets (jet) of the fountain.
In specialized stores, pumps are sold with built-in filters, as well as equipped with replaceable nozzles. You just have to fix it in a container and fill it with water - the work has begun! Additional manipulations may be required depending on the model, so read the instructions first.
Power is an important factor that you should pay attention to, since it depends on the volume of the reservoir and determines the height of the fountain jet. The pumps are powered by an alternating current network.
Factory units are well sealed and safe, so they can be connected easily and easily.
If you want to save a little, you should pay attention to conventional irrigation pumps. True, you have to tinker a little with the installation and buy a sand filter. In this version of the pump, a circuit breaker and a residual current device must be added to the electrical circuit of its connection to ensure proper safety. A reliable solution is the use of an isolation transformer, which provides galvanic isolation of the supply and consumption circuits.
Capacity for the bowl of the fountain
The container for the bowl can be made with your own hands using film, cast from concrete, or purchased ready-made from plastic. In addition, the assortment of such products in trade is quite wide, and with a small size, their cost is low.
It is also possible to use various materials at hand. The capacities of the original and small models of fountains can be selected, as well as made according to a variety of options.
Backlight
Modern technologies make it possible to make fascinating lighting for a fountain not only simply, but also safely. LEDs with a supply voltage of 12 - 24 V or lamps with rechargeable batteries (power supply - solar energy) will come to the rescue. To illuminate the fountain, an LED strip in a water-resistant design is suitable, as well as projectors and special water lamps. They need a power supply with an output voltage of 12 or 24 V. The adapter can be purchased at the same place where the backlight is sold.
The right lighting will make any fountain magical The floodlights are attached to the mounting brackets that are included in their design. The easiest way to do this is with self-tapping screws. It is better to secure the tape with a stapler, if the material of the fountain structure allows. In this case, the staples must be chosen wider than the tape: the integrity of the backlight and its tightness must not be violated. You can learn more about lighting for a fountain in the video below.
There are fountains without a pump
In the event that a fountain with a pump is an unsuitable device, an open type of water supply should be preferred. A water pipe with a nozzle attached will provide a jet of a certain height without any pump. A well with a standard unit can also act as a source.
However, the water must still be diverted somewhere - for example, into a drainage well, a river or a pond. In this case, it is necessary to consider the control of the overflow of the bowl. The issue of water diversion is solved if you use water from a vessel for irrigation. Of course, water heated under the sun is useful for plants, only with this option the fountain's operation will be linked to the irrigation time, which will not suit everyone. The positive thing is that in this way it is realistic to create a fountain without a pump.
You can consider the following option: the container, which in this case will play the role of a receiver, is installed at a height of at least 3 meters to ensure an acceptable and constant jet height. If you place a container with an elevation of 0.5-1 m, you get a fountain-stream with a slow flow of water. In this case, you still have to supply water to it.
Otherwise, you will have to collect water from the container located under the fountain using a submersible pump and send it back to the reservoir through a hose. A submersible pump is inexpensive, but a filter in the system will be required. To camouflage the equipment, you should equip a pit. To prevent the storage bowl from overfilling, a water level control valve can be installed at the inlet of the container - the simplest one from the toilet tank will do.
Practical fountain diagrams
When carrying out an original idea, it is useful to show imagination, and this applies not only to the functional side of the fountain, but also to its appearance. Below we will consider the decor, design, decoration, schemes and photos of several practical options that will help you create your own unique work.
An original and simple stone fountain
A very simple and very interesting fountain can be assembled from stones. To do this, you need to stock up on the following:
- a small submersible pump for a fountain;
- a plastic container with dimensions of about 30x30x30 cm;
- pebbles and flat stones;
- three moisture resistant bricks;
- with a metal-plastic tube about 70 cm long.
The container for the device must be selected so that three bricks installed on a small edge can fit in it, and their upper plane should be slightly lower than the edge of the bowl. The tube is selected in diameter so that it is well retained on the protruding pump nozzle. In this case, the extra gap between it and the tube can be eliminated by winding up PVC electrical tape. The pump is installed in the center of the container.
Now you can pour water and test the performance of the fountain. The next step is to select and prepare the stones. The lowest of them should fit in a bowl and rest on bricks, the size of others can gradually decrease. Flat stones should be drilled in the center with a concrete drill, the diameter of which should be slightly larger than the water pipe. It is more convenient to drill on a machine, and if you do not have one, you will have to use a hammer drill.
We put the first stone on the tube and put it on the bricks. We will decorate the base of the structure with pebbles, filling all the free space of the reservoir with it. The rest of the stones are successively stacked on top of each other, putting them on the protruding part of the tube. Now you can cut off its protruding part with a hacksaw for metal. It remains to find a place for the craft and turn on the pump.
A fountain in a garden made of larger stones has a slightly more complex structure. To equip it, you first need to dig a hole slightly larger than the selected container. The size of the bowl is selected so that water is guaranteed to collect in it from a slide of stones of planned dimensions. It is more convenient to level the bottom of the hole with sand, which is compacted. After installing the bowl, it is also better to fill the remaining gaps with sand, and then tamp it.
A pump is installed at the bottom of the bowl with a tube put on it. For a fountain made of large and heavy stones, it is better to use a copper pipe. You can fill in water and test the pump. From above, the container is closed with a stainless steel mesh with a fine mesh, and then wooden blocks are laid as a support for the stones. It may be more convenient and reliable to first lay a few pieces of reinforcement, and then lay the mesh on them. Mesh cells should not allow pebbles of the selected size to pass through.
The stones should be drilled in the center and put on the tube one after the other. The grid around the stones is covered with pebbles. The surrounding area can be decorated with plants and LED lights. Turn on the pump and enjoy! Do not forget to add water to the fountain as it evaporates.
Japanese style bamboo fountain
Mini-fountains are easy to build with your own hands in the same way as all the others. The only difference is the low-power pump. It is quite possible to use even an aquarium pump, and aeration is not needed. Nice feature: the small pump practically does not make noise.
To assemble the presented model, in a store for summer residents, you need to purchase decorative bamboo shoots and a bamboo stick about 0.7 m long (these are used to support plants). In addition, a small vessel and a few small stones will come in handy. It is better to use a container made of ceramic or plastic, without drainage holes. Then follow the instructions:
- First, we cut the bamboo stick into three pieces of different lengths, the largest of which will be 35 cm. Each segment should have one oblique cut, and the second one even. The lower end of the longest bamboo tube should be 0.5 cm below the "joint", then it fits well on the pump outlet. It is most convenient to cut with a hacksaw for metal.
- Now we put on the longest segment at the pump outlet and put the last one in the container. In the other part of the planter, place decorative bamboo shoots and cover the free space with small pebbles.
- The two remaining pieces of the bamboo stick are fixed with twine to the piece protruding from the pebbles. Now you can fill in the water and turn on the pump.
Small pump
Instead of decorative shoots, you can also place a live plant. In this case, divide the bowl into 2 zones with a plastic partition. One half must be filled with soil and a moisture-loving plant must be planted. Moreover, instead of a partition, it is allowed to use a separate pot of earth, which will be located in a common container. The second zone will become the reservoir for the pump.
Now it is necessary to organize the filtration correctly, since the water will initially be very dirty. The multi-stage filter is the solution to the problem. It is necessary to insert sequentially into each other glasses made of filter materials with different permeability: first - a wire or plastic mesh, then - a fabric filter with a finer structure, and inside this combination - a small pump.
In Japan, bamboo is used to organize fountains of various designs. Above is a diagram of the arrangement of a fountain in the ground using this material. As you can see, it is simple enough to repeat. Below are several options for the design of a fountain using bamboo. Obviously, having studied the presented crafts, it will be easy to design and implement your own version.
Pebble fountain
In your own backyard, it's easy to arrange an original "dry" fountain if you disguise the container with small pebbles. First you need to purchase a small round plastic bowl and follow the instructions:
Fountain on the wall
The version looks original when water flows out of the wall and flows into the bowl. This is a common version of a fountain, and it is not so difficult to bring such a design to life. Of course, a pump is hidden in the lower bowl, from where it supplies water with a hose to the outlet.
To prevent the pump from trying to float, it is important to properly secure it. In this situation, it is convenient to "ground" the device using a heavy stone weight. When buying a unit, think in advance about the possible installation option for the pump. Since the water is constantly at the wall, it is imperative to consider waterproofing. A hydrophobic wall coating is the right solution, and it is better to choose an option that will not change the color of the surface.
From a design point of view, there is another interesting option: the water flows down a perfectly flat horizontal surface. If you can find a bowl with similar properties, you will get a wonderful decorative effect.
Cascade fountain
When choosing the type of fountain for your home or summer cottage, be sure to pay attention to the cascade type with iridescent streams of water. The idea is that water will be sequentially overflowing from one container to the next below. Anything can be used as a container. So, for example, it can be a watering can fountain - then the stream will not even be one, but several. You can also take multiple buckets, teapots with a spout, or even garden carts.
The simplest fountain of bottles
A plastic fountain is the simplest design that is easy to handle with your own hands. We thoroughly rinse a plastic bottle with a volume of 1-2 liters and remove the label from it. Next, we take a metal wire with a diameter of 1-2 mm and poke holes in the bottle with the heated end (for example, over a candle or lighter). Be aware that water will then spray out of these holes.
To connect to the irrigation hose, the end of the bottle neck is pre-sawn with a metal hacksaw to a depth of 10 mm in several places where there is no thread. The next step: the hose is pushed into the neck of the bottle and secured with a clamp so that it does not jump off under the pressure of water.
The fountain in the country house was made by hand, it remains only to find a suitable place for it. Through the hose, water enters the bottle, fills it and pours it out in the form of beautiful streams through the holes made. This is the simplest and cheapest version of the fountain.
Such fountains in a summer cottage can be used not only for beauty, but also for watering a garden plot. In this case, the holes will need to be made evenly throughout the entire body to end up with a spray. Another good idea is an outdoor shower. Hang your homemade fountain on a tree or attach it to the wall. The refreshing design is ready.
You can combine beauty and benefits in the country by making a mini-fountain in a flower bed. Punch holes in one spot and place a plastic bottle between flowers and plants. Additionally, you can hide or decorate it with stones and artificial ornamental plants. Such a fountain in a summer cottage will not only decorate the territory, but also water your flower bed.
The fountain should be looked after
Recall that water evaporates during circulation and it has to be topped up periodically. Moreover, over time, dust and debris gets into the reservoir, the water loses its transparency and acquires an unpleasant odor. Large foreign particles can be easily collected with a net. Natural cleaning of the reservoir can be achieved by placing shells and algae in it. Spraying water with a fountain nozzle will help oxygenate the water and keep it clean.
You can do exactly the opposite and chlorinate the water with special pool tablets. Covering it with a suitable material will help to significantly reduce the flow of debris into the reservoir. Nevertheless, despite the measures taken, the water will still have to be changed periodically. In this case, all surfaces of the fountain are thoroughly washed and the pump filter is cleaned. For more information about cleaning the reservoir, read the article "How to clean a pond with your own hands from mud, silt and algae - a vacuum cleaner and aerator."
(2 appreciated at 3,00 from 5 )Fountains are not only cool on a sunny day. This is also a positive energy that spills over the house from the sounds of murmuring water.
Many people want to surround themselves with artificial reservoirs or at least small fountains, so that they can relax and unwind after work. All this can be done by yourself: just find out how to make a homemade fountain with your own hands and build it, and quite quickly and efficiently. And just such a hand-made fountain will become an exclusive decoration of your site and home!
Varieties of fountains
All fountains can be roughly divided into indoor or outdoor fountains. The first type includes indoor fountains. They are used rather for the purpose of decorating the interior of the house and can be different in shape and size, depending on the parameters of the room.
Street fountains are designed to decorate the backyard area. They are located on the site in front of the house or in the garden. They can be made of plastic, natural stone, marble, porcelain.
In addition, such a fountain can be equipped with lighting, and then you can admire it not only during the day, but also in the evening and at night. A festive atmosphere with such a fountain is guaranteed!
Country fountain
Many people ask themselves the question - how to make a fountain in the country? Before you start arranging this hydraulic structure, you need to decide on the desired model. Its appearance directly depends on the general style of the site. So, if a country-style cottage is perfect for a mill-shaped fountain, and for a classic-style plot, it is better to build a fountain with a minimum of decor or in the form of a statue.
If your summer cottage resembles a picturesque corner of nature, you can make a small fountain that resembles a geyser, gushing right from under the stone. You can also place the fountain near an artificial reservoir surrounded by boulders.
Many lovers of suburban life torment themselves with the question of how to make a simple fountain in their area. For this, the pool of the fountain is buried in the ground, and a special recess is made at the base for all equipment and a pump.
The main advantages of such a fountain are its elegant design, shallow depth and convenient built-in overflow-drain system. However, there are also disadvantages - high costs for the installation of the pool itself, cables and fittings. If you decide to make a fountain at home and settled on this particular type, arrange it so that each element is pleasing to the eye and creates a feeling of harmony and peace.
Tools and materials for arranging the fountain
Before proceeding with the installation of the fountain, you need to acquire materials: a beautiful fountain is unlikely to come out of nothing. The choice of materials for a fountain depends on the place from which its arrangement begins. It is better to use a small reservoir at the summer cottage for the construction of a fountain, and then, before making a home fountain, you will not need to think about the drainage of water. If there is already a reservoir, then for work you will need:
- storage tank;
- a set of nozzles;
- the fountain itself;
- pump.
The most crucial moment is the choice of the pump. The modern market offers electromagnetic, centrifugal and vortex pumps. For country fountains, centrifugal pumps are recommended, since they are more powerful, but at the same time quite economical. If there is no reservoir on the site, you need to dig a pit and equip an artificial pond in it, equipping it with a special film and a concrete block on which the pump will be placed.
Fountain construction stages
The organization of a country fountain needs careful planning. In order to understand how to make a fountain with your own hands, you need to correctly calculate the location of the future structure, its proximity to power supplies and water supply.
The water from the fountain can be drained down the drain into the sewerage system, or it can be recycled - it can be reused, which significantly saves the process. When preparing the sewer canals for draining water from the fountain, a storm water inlet may be used.
If there is a ready-made bowl for a fountain, a foundation pit is dug out for it. Otherwise, they also dig depressions and equip it like a small pool: drainage in the form of sand, strengthening the walls, waterproofing layer, connecting the sewer drain.
The device of the fountain itself begins with the installation of the pump. It is important to remember that there is an underwater and above-water position for fountain pumps, and the surface pump is more often used for large fountains, as it creates a higher and stronger jet. It is also necessary to take care of good insulation of the electrical wiring. The fountain itself, as a rule, is installed in the center of the pond so that water does not spill over its borders.
Fountain decoration
The uniqueness of a homemade fountain can be emphasized by decorating it. How to make a fountain at home so that it becomes a decoration of the yard both day and night? This is possible due to the effect of artificial lighting of the fountain with the help of special lighting equipment. Lamps that illuminate the fountain around the perimeter and even in the water will help create a fabulous harmony of water and light.
You can also plant bushes or flowers around the fountain, and plant the very bottom of the reservoir with the help of various aquatic plants. The fountain can be decorated with wood, stone or statues.
When equipping a fountain, you can use ready-made statues and figures. But it depends on you how exclusive the standard fountain will be.
Indoor fountain
Any interior of the apartment can be enlivened with the help of a small fountain. Before starting work, it is better to figure out how to make a room fountain with your own hands and think over all the nuances. To implement this idea, you will need the following materials:
- the container on which the fountain will be located;
- aquarium pump;
- a small piece of hose for cleaning the aquarium;
- glue;
- large sink;
- colored decorative soil, shells and expanded clay.
First you need to find a container in which the fountain will be located. For this purpose, you can use any vessel you like, for example, a planter for flowers. You can also choose a beautiful flower pot or basin for the fountain, as long as the water does not flow out.
In addition, you need a pump with a spray nozzle and no tip, since the container for the fountain will be small. The main task of the pump is to raise the stream of water.
Stages of construction of a decorative fountain:
- Cut off a small piece of about ten centimeters from the aquarium hose. You need to immediately put it on the pump tip and make sure that all the holes in it were open at full strength, since the power of the jet depends on this. Then you should fix the pump at the bottom of the selected container.
- We fill the pump with expanded clay and level its surface.
- Cover the expanded clay with plastic wrap with a hole for the hose.
- Pour decorative primer on the surface of the film.
- If you need a stone sink stand, then it should be glued to the sink with epoxy waterproof glue.
- Install the stand after pulling the hose through it.
- We put on the sink through the drilled hole at the end of the hose and pull the hose into it one centimeter.
- Decorate the surface of the fountain with beautiful shells or stones. And the sink, from which water flows, can be replaced with something else, the main thing is that there is a hole for the hose. The design and style of an indoor fountain completely depends on the imagination of the master who makes it.
Decorative mini fountain
A cool fountain on a hot summer day improves mood and invigorates. In such a situation, even a small fountain will be just a salvation for you. How to make a mini fountain? It's pretty simple, you just need to stock up on the following materials:
- flower pot with a pallet;
- small water pump;
- paints for ceramics and glass;
- contours;
- decorative plants for the aquarium;
- artificial translucent balls or stones.
Stages of work:
- The flower pot will serve as the basis for the fountain. If you wish, you can decorate it with an unusual painting. To do this, use special paints for ceramics and glass.
- Then place the pump under the pan to circulate the water, you need to make a small hole in the bottom for the drain.
- Pass the pump tube through the hole, and cover the bottom with decorative stones.
- Assemble the entire structure and fill it with water. Ornamental aquarium plants will help to revive the landscape.
Thanks to this scheme, everyone can make a mini fountain with their own hands, connecting their imagination and imagination.
Fountain lighting
One way to make even an ordinary fountain magical is to use lighting. This could be:
- surface lighting in the form of lanterns along the perimeter of the fountain;
- underwater lighting with waterproof lamps;
- floating backlight on built-in self-contained batteries.
Underwater illumination creates the effect of water glow, if the backlight rotates, the whole process turns into a water-light extravaganza. For this, a rotary mechanism is used.
An important stage in lighting equipment is laying the wiring in a water-repellent tire. For safety, it is equipped with an automatic breaker (in case of current leakage). To comply with safety precautions, when installing fountain lighting, lamps with a voltage of 12 volts are used. These are, first of all, halogens, and luminaires based on fiber optics and LEDs. Connect the lamps to a network or a transformer.
If you want to illuminate the water surface, place the fixtures around the perimeter above the water. If you want to emphasize some element of the composition, use a directional beam of light, if the whole composition is a spotlight. Using spotlights, you can focus on one detail, such as a group of plants in a pond.
Fountains have always adorned any interior. Today, they are widely used for the purpose of decorating premises, and ennobling personal plots. Therefore, they are widely used in landscape design. A fountain on the lawn, near the gazebo, near an artificial reservoir surrounded by rockeries - there are many options for the location of the fountains. They can occupy any free area or become a central place in the design of the garden area. Having given free rein to creativity, you can figure out how to make the fountain not only beautiful, but also unusual.
Even if the pond in your area is small, it can make a good contribution to the improvement of your area. And if you decide to build a fountain with your own hands, it will be interesting. It will not be just a place of leisure, but you will also receive a mountain of praise from friends, acquaintances and neighbors.
However, not everyone wants to take on such an idea, because they think that the construction of such a hydraulic device is very expensive and time-consuming, and also requires the intervention of a specialist. If you want to know how to make a fountain at home, then we want to please you that anyone can afford to build a fountain with their own hands at home, you just need to know all the points of design and construction. In this article, we'll look at how to make a fountain.
Types of fountains
Due to the type of construction, products are divided into two types:
- Open fountain. As a rule, in such buildings, water is supplied to a nozzle. The jet is formed due to the fact that there are differences in water levels. Here you need to monitor the water level, and the water quickly becomes dirty. In order to create such a pressure, you need to raise the container one meter from the nozzle.
- Pumping fountain. This is the most common design option. Here the pump is placed on the bottom, which creates a constant water cycle. For structures of these types, the pressure is strong enough and visually looks more beautiful.
Multilevel fountain By the type of pumps, fountains are divided into submersible and stationary.
- Submersible pump. It is placed at the bottom of the pond. With the help of the pipeline, the water rises to the surface, and the nozzle creates a certain flow pattern. In this case, water seems to be erupting from the ground.
- A stationary fountain is usually built from stones in the form of a figure, the shape of which can be of any shape to your taste. Such structures are installed in a park or square, as they are a kind of art.
Ideas for a fountain (video)
Where to install the fountain
When choosing the optimal place for construction, it is important to take into account such a factor as the slope of the ground. If the surface on the site is uneven, then it is better to install the structure below. This will make it easier to adjust the volume of groundwater, as well as increase the oxygen saturation of the air.
Install the fountain where it will be convenient to admire it It is not advised to build a fountain:
- Near the house, as in a strong wind, water will fall on the house itself.
- On an area with direct sunlight, which will contribute to the rapid flowering of water.
- Under a tree, as fallen leaves or overgrown roots can ruin the product.
It is necessary to place the fountain so that it does not interfere with moving around the yard, but on the other hand, so that it can be clearly seen from different sides. We advise you to locate it near your leisure venue.
The smallest distance that should be between the structure itself and green spaces is 0.5 m. Thus, the plants will be protected from a large amount of moisture. The same principle applies to furniture near a water feature. The most optimal location of the structure is a place in the shade and without wind, near water and an electrical network. This will save your efforts and material costs.
After we have decided where the fountain will be, we can proceed to its construction or what the shape and depth of the building will be Construction materials
To save money and power costs, it is possible to build a pond with a pump in it.
Materials for building a fountain:
- Capacity
- Pump
- Water insulator
- Shovel
- Stone of different sizes
- Decor elements
How to choose and install a container
In the case of a small fountain, an ordinary small basin can serve as a reservoir. For a larger version, you can use a bath or a self-dug pit. When using a bathtub, you need to dig a hole so that its edges are below ground level. First, all holes are closed in the container, then it goes down into the pit, where it must be strengthened with stones and earth.
If you want to dig your tank, use a film for this. She, in turn, must be dense and of high quality. In the dug hole, the film is pressed by stones. Also, stones are lined at the bottom. They should not be sharp, as this can damage the film. They need to be equally distributed over the entire bottom.
How to choose a pump
To build a fountain, it is not necessary to buy expensive materials, since you can use the elements used in the household. But you do not need to save on buying a pump, since the quality of the pump determines how long it will work without problems, and the more beautiful the final result will be.
The most optimal choice for the construction is to use a submersible pump. But if you have a large or cascading fountain, a surface pump is welcome. The main indicator when buying a pump is its power. If the water pressure in your fountain is small, then you do not need to buy a powerful pump. It is important to know that the power corresponds to the diameter of the pipe, and the head must be strong, otherwise it will be the result of an unsuccessful fountain.
The construction of the fountain
The construction of a fountain consists of five stages:
- Digging a pit
- Strengthening the trench
- Securing the reservoir or installing the film
- Installing the pump
- Fountain decor
Now we will consider some options for building a fountain with our own hands.
Examples of building fountains
Using a tire
For this we will need
- Old used tire, for example from under a tractor
- Cement, water, gravel and sand
- Concrete mixing tool
- Film
- Level
- Stones of various sizes
- Mastic or silicone
- Pump
Tire fountain lined with stone Sequencing:
- We are preparing a concrete solution.
- Pour the solution to the bottom 10 cm high and level using a level.
- After the solution has dried, we put the tire on the bottom, having previously cut off the sidewall on one side.
- Using mastic or silicone, glue the tire to the base.
- Concrete is poured along the edge of the tire, thereby strengthening the structure.
- We put the pump in the center of the tire.
- We decorate the fountain. Using a tire
Using film
For this type of fountain you will need:
- Thick film
- Shovel
- Sand
- Pump
- Stones of different sizes
Fountain in a pond made of film Sequencing:
- First, you need to dig a pit, remove everything unnecessary from the pit, for example, stones and ram the bottom.
- Next, you need to fill the pit with sand.
- The next thing to do is lay the film. We lay it so that the edge goes beyond the pit. Then we press the film with stones along the contour of the pond.
- Then we install the pump depending on its type and instructions.
- We decorate an almost completed work of art to your taste.
- We fill the pond with water.
Using an old bathtub
For this case, you need to have in stock:
- Shovel
- Stones
- Pump
- Bath
- Insulating tape
- Metal scissors
- Metal sheet
- Drill
Fountain from the old bath Sequencing:
- We dig a hole according to the size of the bath.
- We put the bath in the hole and plug up all the holes.
- From a sheet of metal, you need to cut out wide strips and lay them around the perimeter of the bath, pressing down with stones.
- Decorative rubble can be placed in the bath itself.
- We install the pumping system.
- It is possible to install the backlight, and change the color of the water using blue. Thanks to this, the bath will not be noticeable.
- We decorate our structure.
Using a plastic bottle
For such a fountain, if I may say so, you need to have:
- Plastic bottle
- Carnation
- Insulating tape
- garden hose
Practicality in everything! Sequencing:
- Remove all stickers from the bottle.
- We punch holes in the bottle with a hot nail.
- We install the hose in the bottle and fasten it tightly with tape.
- We place our structure in the planned place and turn on the pressure.
This mini fountain is perfect for watering your vegetable garden and garden.
Home decorative fountain
For this we need:
- Flower pot
- Glass paint
- water pump
- Contours
- Decoration for aquarium
Flower pot fountain Sequencing:
- We paint the pot with paints.
- We make a small hole at the bottom of the pot.
- We mount the pump under the pot stand.
- We pass the tube through the hole made.
- We put stones at the bottom.
- Making a decoration.
- We fill the container with water.
Decor
Decorating your fountain will further emphasize how unique it is. You can put natural stones next to the pond, you can even have different colors, put up houseplants, put various figures of toys or animals, etc.
Lighting design can amaze your guests with its originality. This is done using special equipment. Lamps are placed along the perimeter of the structure, and illumination is installed at the bottom.
Plants and decor for the fountain At the bottom of the reservoir, you can place aquatic plants, and plant shrubs around it.
Fountain care
After you make a fountain at home, of course, it will need to be well looked after. In order to maintain order, and the water is clear, and the building has a pleasant appearance, it is important to constantly clean the container. Using special tools, you can remove leaves and similar things from the pond that can spoil the water and damage the equipment.
When the summer cottage season is over, you will need to drain the water from the reservoir, remove the equipment into the room, and cover the rest with oilcloth to protect from dirt.
Making a fountain with your own hands in a summer cottage or in your apartment is not so difficult and does not require large material expenditures. Before erecting a structure, you need to find out what its shape, size and location will be. You can place it anywhere - in your garden or near the gazebo. Subsequently, the fountain needs to be well looked after - to control the purity and water level, as well as to remove fallen leaves.
Structures of this kind are often installed in suburban areas. The fountain can decorate any free area or become its oasis. If you connect your imagination and use different decorative elements, the fountain will look even better and more original.
