Installing an Outdoor Fountain – Ask.com

By Joseph Boyle , last updated April 7, 2011

Installing an outdoor water fountain in your yard or garden can be a wonderful way to enhance the atmosphere around your home and bring in a sense of wonder and beauty. Before you begin, it is important to bear in mind that fountain installation can be an in depth process, as depending on the size of the fountain, it can be quite heavy and difficult to move since they are generally made of concrete or stone. If you would like to install a water fountain in your yard, here are some tips on how you can go about doing so.

You want to be sure that your fountain will be able to withstand all kinds of weather, make sure it is perfectly level, and have adequate access to electricity so that the water pump can function. First and foremost, the essential aspect to be aware of is a solid foundation. You want to place your foundation on firm, well-drained ground. Most ground area you might choose will be susceptible to some change depending on weather or temperature, but do your best to position the fountain on solid ground that will not shift too much. If the ground shifts, it is likely to upset the level of the fountain, which can be problematic, especially with fountains that require an even water flow.

Once you have chosen a sufficient area for the foundation, be sure to clear away anything loose until you have nice solid ground. The most important thing to pay attention to is the state of the ground you have chosen in rainy weather. Be sure that rainwater will run around the foundation, and that the foundation will not sink should the surrounding area become muddy. With the area selected, you can build your foundation in one of three ways: with a concrete slab, bricks, or concrete blocks. In order to properly level the foundation, you can use sand, adjusting the amount of sand until the concrete or brick is level. Once you have used a sufficient amount of sand, place some landscape fabric over the sand, which will help keep the sand from being washed away. On top of this, place the slab, bricks, or blocks.

Next, you need to figure out how to run your electrical supply to the fountain. For this there are two common options. The first is to just simply bury the cable itself. The second is to use PVC pipe, through which you will run the cable. Either way, bury the cable at a minimum of 18 inches. In general, the PVC method is much safer in terms of ensuring that the cable will not be damaged if any digging is done in your yard.

The last thing to be aware of is whether or not you want to install a timer for the fountain. You can locate it anywhere along the length of the electrical cable above-ground.

Read the rest here:
Installing an Outdoor Fountain - Ask.com