Many owners of cottages and gardens want to decorate the territory with various elements of landscape design. A great option can be decorative waterfalls or fountains that can ennoble any suburban area. You can choose a model for every taste, but first you need to get acquainted with its characteristics and installation features.

Types of decorative fountains

The considered element of landscape design has many variations. Fountains can be classified by shape and dimensions, style and other characteristics.

According to the features of the water supply, these models are of the following types:

• jet-like;
• bell-shaped;
• hemispherical;
• tulip-shaped;
• longline;
• turntable and others.

Typically, fountains are classified by the method of their installation. Each view is original in its own way and has its own characteristics regarding installation.

They come in two varieties:

• submersible;
• fixed.

Fixed

Today you can choose from many models of stationary fountains. Antique or Japanese designs are very popular. It is permissible to create fixed fountains from clay pots, plastic bottles and other improvised means.For the construction of a stationary fountain, you can use various frost-resistant materials, for example, marble or artificial stone. Basically, the owners of such decorative elements prefer to paint it.

To do this, you can use one of the options:

1. Paint the material until the construction.
2. Paint the finished model.

In order to reliably protect the structure from mold and mildew, experts recommend using the first method, although it is more expensive. In the courtyard in the country you can often see originally decorated mini-fountains. Stationary decorative fountains are usually presented in the form of various figures. Not every summer resident has the opportunity to purchase a custom version, so many are trying to translate their ideas into makeshift models.

Submersible

This kind of fountain requires the presence of a finished artificial reservoir on the site, which will be an excellent basis for this design. The submersible model works this way: the liquid will be pumped into it using a pump from the pond.

To create this design, you must:

• pump;
• water supply pipe;
• nozzle for a jet.

There are many options for submersible fountains. Today, one of the most popular models is considered one that is able to create the effect of a key beating from under the earth's surface.The main advantages of such fountains are considered to be simple installation of the structure, as well as the ability to regularly supply water with oxygen in the pond and enrich the surrounding soil and crops with moisture.

Did you know? According to the ancient Eastern science of Feng Shui, it is recommended to establish ponds and fountains in the eastern part of the garden. This arrangement portends the owner of the site well-being and good health.

How to choose a place for a waterfall

Before building a particular model, you must select and prepare a territory for it. The best option is the center of the garden., but it must be understood that the surface of the earth there should be flat, without any irregularities and deviations. In addition, the groundwater level is a very important factor: it should be as low as possible, otherwise the body of water will overflow.

The place for the future waterfall is better to choose away from the trees, foliage and garden debris from which will constantly pollute the water, as well as clog the hydraulic system. Over time, the roots of crops can catch up to the reservoir and destroy it.

It is recommended to place waterfalls in the distance of the country house. Water splashes can remain on the walls, and in addition, there is a possibility of violation of the foundation of the building in the event of any damage to the structure of the reservoir. An important factor is the installation of the waterfall away from direct sunlight. Otherwise, the water will quickly evaporate and bloom.

Necessary materials

After the owner has decided on the type, dimensions of the waterfall and the place of its installation, it will be possible to make a list of the necessary devices for the construction of the structure.

The main components of any waterfall are:

1. Storage tank or bowl.
2. Pump.
3. Hoses for maintaining water circulation.
4. The source of electrical power.

Additional materials include sand, cement, waterproofing (for example, PVC or synthetic rubber), crushed stone, decorative elements.When installing a waterfall, you need to take care of communications. All these materials and devices can be decorated with stones and other design elements.

Did you know? Fahda Fountain (Saudi Arabia) is the tallest fountain in the world. The height of its water stream — more than 300 meters.

Their list includes:

• pipes in the water treatment system;
• a device for collecting the upper layer of water for its supply to the filter;
• wires for backlight.

Choice of bowl or capacity

The considered structural element can be bought, or built yourself from improvised materials.

In the first case, you can come to the store and purchase a ready-made tank, which is presented in three versions:

1. Plastic. Prices for such bowls are not very expensive, but one of the significant drawbacks of such a product is the possible deformation of the material in case of overheating. This can be avoided by choosing the right place to install the structure, as well as by designing the coastline of the pond.
2. Composite. Such a container is made of fiberglass. Although this option is more expensive, this material is more durable and does not undergo deformation when the temperature changes.
3. Concrete. Quite a popular option. Concrete is also very durable and does not deform due to bad weather, but unlike previous models, such a capacity can be quite heavy.

For independent construction of a fountain or a waterfall, various improvised materials can be used.

A list of popular budget options include the following:

1. Old bath. Such a tank is very durable and you can not dig it out in winter. To prepare it, it is only necessary to insulate the drainage system.
2. Barrel. To create this element of landscape design, you can take both a plastic and a wooden version. Today the model of the bottomless barrel waterfall is considered very popular.
3. Basins and bowls. Durable are cast iron or metal options. If you take plastic pots or bowls, it is recommended to remove them from the ground in the winter to avoid breaks.

Making a fountain

The construction process of the considered element of landscape design should be carried out in stages. If you follow all the rules for manufacturing, the finished fountain will please its owner for a long time.

Important! The performance of the system is checked when the tank is filled with water. To obtain the desired pressure of the jet, it is necessary to correctly adjust the pump power.

The main stages of building a model with a concrete bowl:

1. Marking the shape of the structure with the help of stakes and twine.
2. Digging a pit. On average, the depth of the pit is 0.5-0.6 m.
3. Leveling and ramming the bottom. The foundation pit must also be cleaned of debris and plant roots.
4. Making a sand pillow from crushed stone.
5. Creation of formwork. There are several options depending on the material of the container. If the bowl is completely concrete, then the formwork will be two: along the inner and outer border of the structure. The distance between the sides is 0.3-0.4 m.
6. Laying reinforcing wire and pit mesh.
7. Installation of communications (drain system, backlight, water supply).
8. Concrete pouring.
9. Waterproofing film coating. The material must be laid with an allowance of 0.5 m.
10. Making a fountain ring (as the sides of a pond), pressing a waterproofing film.
11. Pump installation. The device must be connected to a source of water and electricity.

Pump equipment

This device is the main mechanism of the structure, aimed at the continuous movement of water in the tank. This equipment works in this way: the liquid is sucked into the pump and filtered, after which it is discharged into the bowl through the nozzles.

Important! The surface pump is quite noisy. To solve this problem, it is recommended to mount the device in a soundproof box.

When buying a pump, you should pay attention to its performance, power, voltage, as well as the height of the water. A more convenient and practical option is the purchase of a ready-made kit, which includes tubes, nozzles and other elements. Sometimes it is quite problematic to buy individual materials for a particular pumping equipment.

The pump unit is presented in the form of two models:

1. Surface.
2. Submersible or piston.

The first option is installed close to the pond. This is ideal for multi-level structures. The device itself must be covered with protective material to prevent direct sunlight and precipitation from falling on it. The second type is installed at the bottom of the tank and is characterized by high performance. Among its advantages include noiselessness and low power consumption.

Decor and accessories

An important auxiliary device needed when creating a fountain or waterfall are filters. Thanks to them, the pump will last much longer. A variety of additional elements include a variety of nozzles, nozzles and regulators. They will help to create various visual effects and set the desired height of the jet.

To the list of decorative devices include:

1. Interior lighting. Usually it is used for marker fountains in parks and squares.
2. Exterior lighting. Such lamps can be powered by both electricity and the sun. The backlight can be made in the form of animal figures and various fairy-tale characters.
3. Mills. If you precisely direct the flow of water, the blades of this decor element will rotate, creating a soothing noise and visual effect. You can buy a ready-made fountain mill.
4. Fog generator. When operating, the device creates a smoky effect above the surface of the water. Often, a set of such generators includes LED lamps.
5. Plastic decorative elements (floating and fixed). It can be various birds, animals and plants.

Thus, when planning to create a waterfall or fountain in a summer cottage, it is necessary to choose the right model, plan and prepare a place, collect the necessary materials and carry out the phased construction of the structure. You can complete the design using various decorative objects and additional devices. If the technology for creating a fountain or a waterfall was correct, the design can decorate the garden for a long time.