A country house is a place for relaxation and rest from busy days. Therefore, it is not surprising that people do their best to decorate a summer cottage. A flower bed, a front garden and a cozy garden are a small part of those landscape design components that can complement the territory. But you can decorate the lawn with a fountain. And thanks to splashes of water in the near section there will be fresh air. The article describes the installation of a fountain and a waterfall in a summer cottage
Street fountains: classification
Decorative designs, depending on the technique, are of the following varieties:
- Stationary
- Submersible.
- Cascading.
A stationary fountain is often installed in a city park. However, it can also be built on a personal plot, decorated with decorative elements: marble statues, sculptures, natural stones and other designer items. In the construction of these structures, polymer concrete is used - a durable and frost-resistant material. As a result, the design will be lightweight, durable and protected from decay.
Simple to perform is considered to be a submersible waterfall, which consists of a pump, a receiving tank, a pipeline and a nozzle. The purpose of the last structural element is to spray water in different compositions. The design can be decorated with natural stone and flowers, and its construction is cheap. In addition, the installation of a fountain and a waterfall in a summer cottage optimizes indicators of humidity and temperature of a nearby household territory.
The cascade type design is somewhat reminiscent of a pyramid. In this case, water falls from top to bottom, while a continuous flow is formed, washing each step.
Principle of operation
Depending on the technology of the device, fountains are:
- Flowing.
- Circulating.
To organize the first option, it is necessary to equip the structure with water supply and a drainage system. Fountains of this type work according to this principle: water rises, and then falls and goes into the sewer. The main advantage - the construction performs a useful function: flowing structures are sometimes used to water the garden, lawns and flower beds.
For the device to operate the fountain of the circulation type, it is necessary to ensure the water cycle, which will fill the tank. After that, the liquid rises with the help of a pump to a special nozzle, which already sprays water. The advantage of this structure is that for its work it is not required to carry out water supply and sewage. However, sometimes it is necessary to replenish the tanks, since the liquid gradually evaporates.
If the fountain is equipped with a pump, then thanks to this mechanism, water will rise. As a rule, small aesthetic constructions are made without the said unit. The construction of a decorative structure with your own hands is a laborious and costly process, but it's worth it: the device at the fountain's cottage will give the garden an unforgettable look.
Optimal location
The size and type of the fountain are the main parameters that affect the choice of the site where the structure will be installed. In addition, the decorative structure cannot be installed next to trees, since falling leaves can damage the pump or clog the filter. In addition, the structure cannot be placed near the house: due to increased humidity, the foundation of the building will deteriorate over time.
These factors should be considered when choosing a location:
- wind direction (the fountain becomes dirty if you install it on the leeward side);
- natural lightening of the area (water will begin to bloom if it is exposed to constant exposure to sunlight);
- availability of nearby power supply for pump operation.
An ideal place is a plot surrounded by low Christmas trees and flowers. For the rational arrangement of fountains in parks, as a rule, they are located near arbors or playgrounds.
Necessary equipment
Details for the fountain and waterfall are basic, complementary and decorative. The first includes the following equipment:
- A bowl is a construction water tank.
- Electric pump (remote or submersible) - a water flow engine.
- Nozzles - parts with which the shape of the jet is regulated.
- PVC pipes, tees, taps, gate valves, couplings and adapters - elements for water supply devices for fountains and waterfalls.
The service life and performance of the structure depend on the quality of the main parts. However, simple structures can be performed without some elements (for example, a pump is not needed for a single-tier mini-fountain). But the bowl is an obligatory detail, but the following components can be attributed to additional equipment:
- Cleaning filter.
- Water control sensor.
- Expansion tank.
- Wind speed sensor.
- Sound equipment.
- Flashlights and waterproof lamps for backlighting.
- Control cabinet.
The price of the fountain directly depends on the cost of installed parts.
Choice of material for the bowl
For the installation of fountains and waterfalls, stone (natural or artificial), stainless steel, plastic, concrete or fiberglass are used.
Marble is an expensive material from which the most beautiful designs are obtained. It is difficult to work with this stone, but subject to all technical conditions, the result will be a durable decorative structure.
Natural granite is another high-quality building material used to build fountains. Its advantage is that of it you can make a design of any color.
Garden fountains built of sandstone or shungite will look good on a summer cottage. In addition, these materials are easy to process and poorly absorb moisture. It should be noted: a bowl made of coral sandstone will retain its original appearance for 15 years.
A concrete fountain is a cheap but short-lived option. It is better to give such a structure an original look: it can be painted or coated with facing material (for example, tiles).
When installing a fountain, you must independently make or buy a waterproof and reliable tank. As you know, experts recommend purchasing bowls made of stone or fiberglass.
Pump selection
This element is considered the so-called heart of the fountain. The pump works in this way: the unit collects and purifies the water thanks to a special filter, and then throws clean liquid into the bowl through the nozzles. When buying, you need to pay attention to its operating voltage, power and performance. The technological device of the pump for a decorative fountain is of two types:
- Submersible (piston).
- Remote (surface).
A piston pump is a low-voltage device for small-sized fountains. It must be mounted on the bottom of the water tank.
Surface equipment is used for multi-level garden fountains. It must be installed near the structure, but first the electrical appliance must be protected from precipitation and sunlight. To do this, you can use a special protective film or put the pump in a plastic box. Such expensive equipment is noisy, but it is a high-quality pump that will last for many years.
Optional equipment
To make a fountain with visual effects, you can use various spray guns. Thanks to these details, it will be easy to adjust the water stream, which can be given the appearance of a water wall, geyser or bubbles.
The fountain can be supplemented with decorative lighting, which can be of the following types:
- Above-water (lights are installed around the perimeter of the structure).
- Floating (runs on solar panels).
- Underwater lights, which use moisture-resistant lamps.
Often for these purposes, colored 12-volt LED strips are used.
Fountain device technology: step by step instructions
The initial stage is the preparation of the pit, the shape of which depends on the dimensions of the future design. As a rule, the depth of the excavation is 50 cm. Next, you need to level and tamp the bottom, and then lay a layer of crushed stone on it.
The next step is the construction of two formwork, the minimum distance between which should be 30 cm. The first is erected on the outer part of the fountain, and the second - on the inside. After this, it is necessary to reinforce the walls and the bottom of the structure with a steel mesh
Then the bottom must be poured with concrete mortar and fill the space between the formwork, which is necessary for the manufacture of the sides of the fountain. But there is one caveat: first you need to fill the bottom of the bowl and wait until the concrete completely hardens. Only after this can the construction of the sides begin.
The device of the fountain does not end there, since then you need to install the pump. The technique for performing this step depends on the type of equipment. The device is connected to electricity and water supply - so you can check its operation.
The final stage is the facing of the fountain with natural stone or other decorative material, and the side parts of the bowl can be decorated with flowers and statues.
Waterfall construction
First you need to dig a pit according to the design documentation. If the waterfall is intended for fish farming, then its minimum depth should be 1 meter. So that the structure does not deform during operation, the walls of the pit must be carefully packed and moistened. The prepared bottom must be covered with a 10-cm layer of sand.
The design must be covered with waterproofing material (for example, plastic wrap). After this, it is necessary to fill the pit with concrete mixture.
To make a cascade, then for this it is better to buy a finished form in a hardware store. But it can also be made independently from flat cameos connected by cement mortar.
As pumping equipment for a small waterfall with a height of 1.5 meters, you can use a device with a capacity of 70 watts. The pressure hose should be installed at the top of the cascade, and the pipes for water supply should be placed behind the stones.
Construction cost
Before starting work on the arrangement of the fountain, it is necessary to draw up an estimate of the facility under construction. Initially, it must be taken into account that a foundation must be erected for a massive structure, so the cost of organizing the foundation is a key aspect that needs to be fixed in the document. In addition, the estimate for the fountain device includes the following parameters:
- The height of the structure.
- The total area of the object.
- The material from which the bowl (tank) is made.
If the fountain was lined, then it must also be taken into account when calculating the costs. The total cost depends on:
- type of fountain;
- the complexity of the work;
- installation of additional equipment;
- the scope of work on the foundation;
- design difficulties;
- quality of consumables.
In any case, the garden fountain is an expensive landscape decoration.
Conclusion
The article described the device of the fountain. To build this structure, you need to perform a few simple steps and spend some money. However, if finances allow, then you can independently make a unique work of art. In addition, the article describes what elements this aesthetic building consists of.