How do I Build a Stone Cast Water Fountain?
- 1). Select and purchase cast stone pieces from a commercial supplier that suits the design and size of your outdoor space. The most popular styles of cast stone fountains are free-standing fountains with a lower basin that recycles water, pedestal fountains with a bowl on top, and wall fountains with a water spout. The dense, heavy pieces of basin and pedestal fountains are not cemented together, but stay in place through gravity. Wall fountains are generally held together with interlocking parts.
- 2). Using a stone drill, drill a hole wide enough to fit PVC conduit or rubber tubing in the center of each fountain element, as they will be stacked on top of one another. For basin style fountains, also drill a hole in the bottom of the basin for the pump's electrical cord. For wall fountains, drill a hole in the back, flat side of the basin and where the spout will be in the upper portion.
- 3). Prepare a sturdy, level foundation before placing the fountain pieces. Cover the foundation surface with either an inch of soil or a cement pad to prevent stress cracks to the stone over time.
- 4). Tip the basin or pedestal on its side and feed the electrical cord of the pump through a hole in the bottom. For wall fountains, feed the electrical cord through the hole in the back of the basin. Fit a rubber grommet around the cord and press firmly into the hole to seal. Set the basin on the prepared foundation.
- 5). Position the pump in the center of the basin or inside the pedestal, with the tube connection pointed upwards. Cover the pump with a pump house to protect it.
- 6). Attach rubber tubing or PCV conduit to the tube connection and feed this upward through the hole in each stone element of the fountain. Carefully stack each element and position so that they will remain balanced and not tip over. For wall fountains, insert a small metal pipe into the hole in the upper piece and connect this to the pump with conduit to form the spout. The upper component should lock into the basin, although cementing is not necessary.
- 7). Fill the basin with water and plug the pump into an outlet. If you want the pump's cord to be hidden, dig a shallow trench to the nearest electrical outlet and thread the cord through PVC conduit. Cover with soil.
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