Making a decorative fountain for the house with your own hands. How to build a fountain in the country Do-it-yourself garden fountain

Foreword

There are many ways to create suburban area cozy corner for relaxation, but the most effective reception- the device of the fountain in the country with their own hands. Pleasant freshness in the air, soothing murmur of water, sun glare on the surface of a small pond surrounded by flowering shrubs- all this will transform the familiar environment beyond recognition and make it simply luxurious. What can a fountain be made of and what equipment will be needed for this?

flowing;
with water circulation.

In designs with circulation, the same volume of water is driven by the pump in a circle. From time to time it is replenished, compensating for evaporation and splashing. Such designs are most often found in summer cottages.

The water cycle in the fountain is provided by a circulation pump

In flowing fountains, water is supplied from a well or well and then discharged into the sewage system. They are used when it is necessary to constantly irrigate the garden and other plantations. Such structures look better, and the water in them is potable, while in structures with circulation it stagnates.

Flowing fountains are fed from a well or well. Waste water is used to water plants

According to the nature of the outflow of water, fountains are divided into:

Nymphaeum fountains freshen the air no worse than jet fountains, but they consume less water. In places where its supplies are limited, this variety is most preferred.

The waterfall device requires an expensive special pump with high capacity and low pressure. If you can adapt an ordinary household pump for other types by making minor changes, then in the case of a waterfall, this option is excluded.

Fountains are also divided into:

Video: fountain in the country - varieties

Location selection

A suitable location has the following features:

visual accessibility. The fountain serves as a decoration of the site, so it should be visible from everywhere.
The presence of penumbra. The fountain plays with highlights in the sun and therefore looks spectacular, but the water in it quickly blooms.
No buildings nearby. Otherwise, with gusts of wind, the walls are constantly sprayed with water and building materials quickly become unusable.
Absence of tall trees in the immediate vicinity.

They are undesirable for the following reasons:

powerful roots will damage the bowl;
leaves and seeds falling from trees litter the water;
Excess moisture damages trees.

The fountain should be built a little further from the house in a place slightly shaded by several ornamental shrubs.

Equipment and materials

The design is extremely simple: it is a bowl filled with water with a pump installed in it, to which a diffuser is connected. Nymphaeums also have rock slide through which water flows. But for all this to work, each component must be chosen correctly. Let's consider the most important ones in detail.

Diffuser

This is an element of a jet fountain, the shape of the jet depends on its design. It is impossible to repeat a branded diffuser at home - these parts are developed and manufactured using complex computer technologies. The most accessible models give the jet the shape of an umbrella.

Water jets passing through the umbrella diffuser fall into the tank, forming a kind of umbrella

The jet retains its shape even in strong winds, but there is a drawback: you will have to buy a pump as well - it will not work to convert an ordinary one to such a diffuser.

It is cheaper to use a shower head as a diffuser. It is not as effective as real diffusers, but it freshens the air just as well and can work with a household pump. Some variety is achieved by adjusting the pressure and deepening of the nozzle. You can connect the diffuser to the pump flexible hose and fix it on the float - the fountain will turn out to be "wandering".

Shower heads with a self-cleaning effect are more practical. In the holes they have elastic polymer inserts that change their shape when the pressure changes and thus prevent the deposition of scale.

Pump

The question of choosing a pump is solved in two ways:

expensive option: a special pump for fountains is purchased;
cheap: a regular household pump is used.

A conventional pump differs from a special one in two ways:

supplies water with strong pressure (a fountain requires a maximum of 4 m);
requires periodic shutdowns.

Solution: while maintaining performance, reduce the pressure, thereby unloading the engine and extending the time of continuous operation. Perfect option- adjustable pressure, allowing you to change the shape of the jet. It is impossible to achieve this from a centrifugal pump, but from a vibration pump (Aquarius, Kid, Brook) it is very simple: you only need to connect it through a thyristor voltage regulator (instead of standard automation).

A small fountain can be equipped with an aquarium pump: it supplies water to a height of 0.6 m with a capacity of 200 l / h, which is enough for a nymphaeum fountain in the form of a stream.

You can use an aquarium pump in the design of a small fontanel fountain

Filter

Instead of a branded one, an inexpensive aquarium will do.

Regular cartridges can be replaced with sponges for washing dishes. Such a filter is buoyant, so in the fountain it is pressed down at the bottom with stones.

stones

Stones in fountains are used dense - porous ones quickly collapse when water freezes. If the design provides for the flow of water over stones (cascade or fountain-stream), hardness is also required from them. Suitable:

granite;
labradorite;
gneiss;
gabbro.

Shale rocks do not satisfy these conditions.

Bowl

It is most rational to use a ready-made plastic bowl - these are commercially available. Price at this product cheap, waterproofing a homemade concrete bowl will take a lot more money.

Preparatory work

Before starting work on the device of the fountain, do the following with your own hands:

Remove the fertile soil layer throughout the area where water is expected to enter (sprinkling circle). Its radius is 3–15 jet heights. After the fountain is installed, the remaining part of this zone will be covered with a blind area.
Dig a hole under the bowl. The recess exceeds the bowl by 15–20 cm in depth, and 20–25 cm in width in each direction.
The bottom of the pit is covered with sand or gravel, then the filling is rammed.

Instrument preparation

Here's what you need to get it to work:

mini-concrete mixer (in the absence of such, concrete is kneaded in a trough with a shovel);
vibrolayer (optional);
building level;
electric welding machine (when using steel pipes);
brushes for applying waterproofing;
hammer (knocking off the formwork);
screwdrivers (connecting the power supply to the pump).

Water connection

In the case of a flow type, a pipe is laid from the well (well) or water supply to the place of its installation, and then another one - from the fountain to the irrigation system. The circulating fountain can also be supplied with water if the user does not wish to replenish it manually.

The country fountain works only in the warm season, so there is no need to lay a pipe in a deep trench. In places where vehicles pass, it is placed in a tray with a solid lid. With the advent of cold weather, water is drained from the fountain's water supply system.

Do-it-yourself fountain in the country: step by step instructions

Work is carried out in the following order:

A bathtub that has lost its attractive appearance can still serve as a fountain bowl. Install it like this:

The bathtub, with its regular shape and white enamel coating, does not fit well into the natural landscape. In order to give it naturalness, the inner surface is covered with:

Dark blue paint. The technique creates the illusion of great depth.
A mixture of cement glue and mineral-based coloring additives. The latter are available in liquid or powder form.
Gravel, crushed stone or mosaic (glued).
A decorative film specially designed for the improvement of reservoirs.

To lubricate a rectangular shape a little help:

The sedge planted along the perimeter is hairy. The plant will hide the sides of the bath and the fountain will look like a partially overgrown rounded pond.
curly wooden shields along the edge of the bath with potted plants planted on them.

Fountain in Japanese

When designing a fountain in Japanese style on a rectangular shape, on the contrary, they emphasize.

For its manufacture you will need:

several segments of a bamboo trunk with an inner diameter of 20–60 mm;
transparent hose for watering;
leg-split.

Procedure:

Bamboo is treated with tung oil or a synthetic anti-rot compound.
3-4 pieces of bamboo are placed on the edge of the bowl and tied with twine.
Another segment, the thickest one (with a clear diameter of 40–60 mm), is drilled on one side so that the watering hose fits tightly into the hole. The second end is cut obliquely.
A piece of bamboo is placed with a hole down across those installed on the bowl and screwed to them with twine.
Connect the bamboo spout with a watering hose to the pump.

Another option is the Tsukubai Fountain. It is made from 3 bamboo trunks: one is installed vertically, the rest pierce it at a slight inclination to the horizon. Water is fed through a hose into the upper pole, flows out of it into the lower pole and then into a concrete vessel.

From bamboo trunks you can build the most various designs calm fountains

Bamboo elements in Japanese fountains, when treated with oil or an antiseptic, last for several years, after which they are changed.

Tire Fountain

A small truck tire fountain is cheap and quick to make. Build it like this:

Make a hole in the ground according to the size of the tire.
Pour on the bottom, carefully tamping, a bedding of crushed stone and sand and put on top of it concrete screed 10 cm thick.
After the solution has hardened, a tire is laid on it. Its side, which is on top, is partially cut off so that the tire looks like a bowl.
Inside the tire, a concrete screed is poured with a thin layer of mastic, thus sealing the junction of the rubber to the base. Now the tire is a waterproof reservoir.
A formwork made of tin is installed around the tire.
Laid inside the formwork reinforcing cage and pour concrete.
The fountain is decorated with stones and other decorative elements.
Next, they put a pump with a diffuser in the tire, cover it with a mesh and pour water.

Fountain "stone tower"

Simple to implement, but at the same time quite a spectacular design. Mounted as follows:

In the order described above, a bowl with a pump is installed.
The pump is covered with a stainless mesh, then a support contour of bars is placed on it.
Several flat stones are stacked and the entire structure is drilled through. The diameter of the hole corresponds to the diameter of the pipe through which water will be supplied.
A spout pipe is attached vertically to the pump and stones are strung on it. Between themselves, the stones are fastened with building glue on silicone base.
Close the gaps between the stones with small pebbles.

Decoration techniques

Turn humble garden fountain Various techniques help to create a work of art:

Cultivation of ornamental moisture-loving plants near the reservoir, for example, European bathing suit, hosta, astilba, miscanthus, loosestrife, etc.
Setting the backlight. Multi-colored lamps with a high class of dust and moisture protection - IP54 (waterproof version) are used.
Installation of sculptural compositions.
The use of interchangeable diffusers that give the jets a different shape.

Fountain equipment manufacturers offer the following options for water dispersion:

Video: do-it-yourself fountain in the country with decorative elements

The fountain in the country is not only a delight for the eyes and ears, but also a source of freshness on a hot summer day. For its device it is not at all necessary to spend money on expensive branded equipment. The solutions proposed in this article allow you to enrich the landscape with an elegant decoration for quite reasonable means.

Who said that a fountain is an exclusively outdoor fixture? Modern decorations of this type are used with equal success both outside the house and indoors - everything is decided by the size and device. For apartments and houses, as a rule, small-sized fountains are used, which are called "home fountain". It is about them, or rather about the options for their self-production, that will be discussed in this article.

A person can contemplate three things for a long time - long time he can't take his eyes off the flames, the flowing water, and how someone else is working. It is for this reason that the most common decorations in houses and apartments are all kinds of fireplaces and fountains. In this article we will talk about fountains - together with the Dream House website, we will deal with the question of how to make a home fountain with your own hands? We'll consider various options self-production of this decor, and most importantly - we will deal with the principle of creating such things, the knowledge of which will allow you to independently design these products at home.

Do-it-yourself home mini-fountain photo

Home fountain: how it works

Most of you will probably be surprised at how simple a fountain is - you could even say that by the standards modern technologies this is an elementary thing that does not cause difficulties in manufacturing at all. If you deal with its design, then it can be divided into just a few separate parts. Plus or minus, of course, since there is no limit to perfection, and you can improve it, as they say, to infinity.

As for the principle of operation of such devices, there is nothing special to understand here - the movement of the liquid simply loops. There is a container from which the pump pumps out water and delivers it to the fountain nozzles - flying out in the form of a beautiful decorative jet or flowing down a waterfall, it returns back to the same container, from which, again, it is sucked in by the pump and sent to the next ring cycle. That's the whole fountain.

How to make a fountain at home: options

Among the most common options for making home fountains with your own hands, you can select just a couple of more or less successful designs. To be honest, only one is completely successful - the first variation, although acceptable for a house or apartment, still has several significant drawbacks.

Depending on the required dimensions, you can also install intermediate containers - create a so-called cascade of waterfalls, which will look much more attractive. The principle of making such fountains is no different from a single waterfall - the only thing that is added here is one or more intermediate containers. In such a situation, the pump pumps water into the upper tank, from where it flows by gravity into the reservoir located just below. In turn, water will flow from this reservoir into a container located below - with this approach to business, the number of containers can be unlimited.

home fountain photo

How to make a home fountain with your own hands: installation without a pump

I’ll make a reservation right away that this is not a perpetual motion machine, and such a fountain will not be able to work indefinitely - this is an excellent toy that clearly demonstrates the work of the laws of physics and nothing more. Depending on the containers used in the design of such a fountain, you can count on 10, 15 minutes, maybe even half an hour of operation time - then you need to recharge, which you will get tired of doing in the very near future.

We are talking about, for the operation of which three containers are required, connected in series with each other by tubes - this is a completely sealed system that works thanks to air lock. From the receiving bowl, water enters the lowest, and most importantly, empty container - it presses on the air in it, which, in turn, creates pressure in the upper container (it is filled with water). It is this pressure that causes the water to rise upwards. What is most interesting, the rise of the jet can be quite large and reach 1m in height. Moreover, this fountain can even be somewhat "automated" - to organize its recharging with less time and effort spent. Undoubtedly, this is a noteworthy invention of mankind, to which it is worth devoting a separate article, which we will do in the future.

How to make a home fountain with your own hands: Heron's fountain photo

In conclusion of the topic of how to make a home fountain, a few words about very attractive additions that will allow you to contemplate not only the view of flowing water, but also observe various effects. The very first thing that comes to mind here is . It can be organized in many ways, but the most interesting of them is the use of a small electric generator. A small appliance bought in a store is quite capable of making the LEDs glow - you can arrange them any way and anywhere, the main thing is not to forget that water and electricity are incompatible things in principle.

The second point that will diversify the home fountain is various mechanical things. The simplest of them is the wheel of a water mill, which can be installed between two containers. By the way, such a wheel is very easy to combine with a generator electric current. By and large, you can make a great variety of various toys driven by water - these are boats floating on the surface of the water, and ducks, and birds, and much more.

Any fountain, even the most modest size, will become a bright accent in landscape design. On summer days it is a great opportunity improve the microclimate in the recreation area, because the fountain acts as a natural air humidifier, and even at noon it will be cool and fresh near it.

Decorative fountains and features of their installation: we select the style, place and equipment

Before you build a fountain in the country, it is important to ensure that its design matches the general style. landscape design, and he himself was proportionate to the site. The larger the area of the site, the more massive and representative the fountain can be - on a standard six acres, a large structure with sculptures and high sides will look extremely ridiculous.

Therefore, the type of landscape should be taken into account:

classic garden - a garden with a strict, consistent layout is perfectly complemented by a sculptural fountain: ancient gods, young maidens, cupids and monsters

natural garden - “natural” fountains, geysers or mini-waterfalls framed in a naturalistic style will be appropriate here natural stone, pebbles and wood. Or it can be a stylization of a spring, in which a timid trickle of water breaks through a pile of stones.

modern garden - fountains are built from metal and concrete, natural and artificial stone, polymers and glass. Such a fountain is a thoughtful composition, the stylistic belonging of which is emphasized by decorative elements that make it rich and interesting. Minimalist fountains are characterized by thin, filamentous jets of water.

country music- it can be a composition of clay jugs and boulders, stylized as an old well. A characteristic element of such fountains is often a mill wheel.

Separately, it is worth mentioning floating fountains - they can be launched into any relatively large body of water. In these fountains, the pump has a special float, so it can drift freely over the entire surface.

It is very important to choose the right place:

the fountain should not be located in the zone of active sun - the sun's rays will provoke the development of microscopic algae, the water will "bloom"

at the same time, you should not place the fountain near trees - root system can damage the fountain bowl, break its tightness. In addition, leaves, fluff, seeds and fruits that enter the water will clog the filters.

drops of water should not fall on plants, garden furniture or the walls of the house - excessive humidity can cause damage to things and provoke the death of plants. The recommended distance is at least 50 cm from furniture, walls and plants, but here you should also take into account the height of the jet and the possibility of moisture being carried by the wind

proximity to a source of electricity to connect the pump

The next step in creating a fountain is the selection of equipment:

container - for the fountain bowl, you can use ready-made plastic fonts (tanks), which provide reliable waterproofing and differ in frost resistance and durability. For a large fountain, you will have to prepare and concrete the pit manually

pump - the continuous movement of the water flow is ensured by connecting the pump. The pump from the bowl, through the pipeline, takes water and pressurizes it to the nozzle, thus the pump acts as the "heart" of the entire system. According to the installation method, pumps are divided into two types. Submersible (underwater) mounts in a bowl, directly in the water (Fig. 1), they take water directly from the font and feed it through a pressure filter to the nozzle. They are located on a slight elevation - this will prevent bottom sediments from entering the pump. The main advantage of such a pump is ease of installation and compactness.

The surface pump (Fig. 2) is mounted on land, it sucks water through the filter through the water supply and then delivers it to the nozzle under pressure. The advantage of this approach is the reliability and durability of the pump, as well as ease of maintenance. The power of the pump is selected depending on the desired jet height (water flow intensity) and the available fountain bowl.

filter is an important part for home fountain. From the bowl of the fountain, water enters the pump, in most cases, with some contamination. If the water is not filtered, the pump will quickly lose its efficiency.

backlight - add decorativeness to the fountain, especially in the evening

receiver - a pressure tank, the installation of which will ensure the maintenance of a constant pressure of water entering the nozzle, thereby achieving stable operation the whole system

If it is not possible to connect to electricity, you can assemble a fountain in the country with your own hands without a pump. Its design is based on obtaining a liquid pressure drop. This will require a large container filled with liquid, and a nozzle installed 0.5 - 1 m higher than the liquid level. Due to the pressure drop, water streams will be pushed out, but they will be rather “sluggish”, they will not splash much. This option is suitable for fountain streams. In addition, you will have to constantly monitor the liquid level, since the water pressure created with this design is quite low.

Important point- selection of injectors. They will help diversify and transform the fountain, creating a variety of water patterns, forcing water to flow in the right direction. The water passing through the nozzle is distributed in a certain way, foaming, spraying, saturated with air.

How to make a fountain with your own hands in the country: a step-by-step guide

The technology for creating a simple fountain with your own hands is quite accessible, let's consider it using the example of a fontanel fountain. It will make a statement piece in any garden, yet it is easy to use, easy to clean and repair without special efforts clean up in the barn for the winter. Picking up appropriate place, we dig a round hole, the internal recess of which should correspond to the size of the container for the bowl used for the fountain (Fig. 3). Around the pit, we additionally pull out a gutter with a depth of about 10 cm.

Cozy terrace, aroma blooming garden, pacifying herbal tea ... This associative series to the phrase "rest in the country" will continue the idea of building a fountain in the country with your own hands in the best possible way. Flowing water allows you to relax at your pleasure, push aside sad thoughts and unsolvable problems. The movement of water jets is another element of comfort and a special color characteristic of the country landscape. To implement this idea, you can hire specialists, or you can show your imagination and build a small structure yourself.

The principle of the fountain and its types

Any fountain is a device that raises a jet of water under pressure to a certain height and sprays it into the air or concentrates it into waterfalls. Therefore, as part of the design, two main components can always be distinguished:

a source that creates a flow of water;
receiver, where this water enters.

According to the principle of operation, all fountains are divided into two large groups:

Circulating. They are characterized by a closed system of water movement from the source reservoir under the action of the pump force up the pipe with subsequent flow into the receiver reservoir. An important point is the provision of a water purification and disinfection system. All floor and room hydraulic structures, as well as small fountains for summer cottages, are made of this type.
Flowing. Required condition- connection to the sewerage, so the reservoir as such is not required. This type is most in demand in the arrangement of hydraulic structures in the framework of landscape gardening.

Another classification of fountains is based on the shape of the water jet, provided by the nozzles used and other structural elements.

cascading

The best option for sites with height differences or large areas. When arranging a cascade, you can realize any design idea, which is based on overflows of water flow from one container to another. By adjusting the height of these differences, you can get rapid waterfalls or unhurried rifts.

The principle of the cascade fountain is that the water flow overflows from one container to another.

Geyser

One of the most popular options for organizing garden fountains. It is a structure that ejects water under pressure perpendicularly upwards or at an angle. By changing the height of the jet, you can create a cozy babbling fountain or a many-meter noisy stream of water.

Illumination will make the classic fountain even more spectacular

Bell

One of the easy-to-implement solutions that also performs a decorative function. The height of the water column, as a rule, is small, however, due to a special nozzle, the liquid is evenly distributed around the perimeter, forming a continuous water hemisphere.

The bell fountain is very original element site design

Spray

This type of fountains includes a diverse group of hydraulic structures that differ from each other in the nature of the jet:

single - small vertical jets of one given height;
longline - small vertical jets of different heights;
spinner - a rotating jet forms a spiral flow;
water jet - water comes out of the hole in decorative wall at a given distance from the surface of the earth;
fish tail - vertical jets diverge like a fan and fall in the form of a solid wall;
tulip - the jet forms a funnel expanding upwards and falls in a thin dome.

The number of jets and the height of the fountain can be any, depending on your preferences.

Which pump to choose

A wide range of pumps allows you to choose best option for use in specific conditions. First of all, you should decide on the type of pump - submersible or surface. The advantages of submersible pumps include:

invisibility to prying eyes;
ease of installation - installation comes down to lowering the pump to the bottom of the reservoir and connecting pipes and power supply;
low noise level;
profitability;
Ideal for small fountains

At surface pumps also has its advantages:

water supply to any part of the fountain;
free access to equipment;
no need to clean up for the winter;
optimal for complex hydraulic structures on a large surface of the reservoir.

Having decided on the type of pump, pay attention to the maximum pressure and performance of the unit, reflected in the comparative table.

Table: equipment parameters for different types of fountains

How to make a fountain with your own hands

To build a simple stone fountain design, you will need the following materials and equipment:

pump for water from 1100 W in terms of power;
a copper pipe with a cross section of 15 mm for delivering water from the pump to the top of the fountain;
a tank made of waterproof material for the pump with a volume that allows the pump to be immersed in such a way that at least 150 mm remains between it and the edge of the bowl;
a pipe made of plastic or metal for wiring an electric cable;
coupling for connecting a pipe made of copper and a pump;
float type water supply regulator;
metal mesh to protect the tank from debris;
drainage gravel;
polystyrene pipe for the output of the pump cord;
bars for attaching the grid;
stones for the upper decorative part of the fountain (can be replaced with clay pots, concrete bowls, etc.);
faucet with adapter and filter.

Having prepared all the necessary materials, they begin to implement the algorithm of step-by-step instructions for building a fountain with their own hands:

The design of any fountain consists of underground and ground parts.

Choice of location. This should be the leeward side of the house to avoid moisture getting on the walls of the building. The distance between the building and the fountain must be at least three times the length of the hydraulic structure.
Digging a hole for a fountain. The dimensions of the pit completely depend on the size of the selected tank: a little wider so that it can be freely installed, and 5 cm above the edge of the sides. Provide excavation in the groove for the electric cable.
The pit should be slightly larger than the prepared tank
Tank installation. The bottom of the prepared pit is leveled with small pebbles with a layer of 40-50 mm, the reservoir is installed and strengthened. Sand is poured into the sinuses between the sides and the ground, which is carefully shed, rammed and decorated with small stones. Or they simply line the bottom of the pit and side surfaces waterproofing material. The power supply from the pump is pulled into a plastic pipe of the required length, placed in a prepared groove, insulated and sprinkled with earth.
The tank can be made of plastic, ceramic or metal
Pump installation. When placing, the need for regular preventive inspection and maintenance of the device is taken into account.
It is important to provide easy access to the pump for further maintenance.
Mesh laying. The galvanized metal mesh will serve reliable protection from debris and foreign objects.
To access the pump, a hinged hole is cut in the grid
Base installation. Attached to the pump metal pipe to supply water to the top (its length should be 100 mm higher than the estimated height of the fountain), and on top metal mesh lay down wooden bars. The beam is taken with a section of 50x50, and their length should be 80-100 mm longer than the length of the tank. This will ensure the stability of the structure and prevent falling into the pit.
fix the water pipe well
Stone preparation. In each stone (pot, bowl, etc.) intended for the foot of the fountain, it is necessary to drill a hole, the diameter of which will be 0.5 cm larger than the pipe section. To avoid overheating of the drill and cracking of the stones, they must be periodically watered.
The lead is made using a hammer drill or impact drill
Construction installation. Stones, pots or bowls are mounted on a pipe like a children's pyramid, fastened together with silicone-based glue. After it dries, the tank is filled with water 150–200 mm above the pump, the unit is connected to the mains and a test run is made to adjust the pressure.
The ground part can be made in the form of a cairn
Decoration of the base of the fountain. You can equip a small reservoir, make masonry, plant ground cover plants, etc. It is important that the decor does not interfere with monitoring the water level in the tank twice a month and performing other preventive work if necessary.

Is it possible to make a fountain without a pump

There are fountain designs that do not provide for the use of a pump. According to the implementation option, there are two ways to solve this problem:

decorative design

Decorating a country fountain is the final stage in the construction of the structure. Depending on the capabilities of the owner, the general concept of the landscape and your own preferences, the following options can be used:

Sculptures and plaster figurines. One of the simplest and most popular options for finishing the above-ground part of the fountain. The figurine can be purchased at ready-made or done on your own. It can be alone or form a plot composition.

From sculptures you can make a composition

In some cases, such a sculpture becomes one of the elements that release or receive the water flow. With this decoration option, you should worry about its installation in advance - before the trial run of the fountain.

Sometimes sculptures perform not only an aesthetic function, but also the function of receiving water flow.

Backlight. Particularly popular and relevant in Lately light-dynamic type of lamps. They pulsate or change color according to the movement of the jets. This option is often used in the decoration of urban, garden and park fountains.

When creating a backlight, you can combine different colors

Monochrome lighting options - the best option for country house on a small area. The color of the lamp can be standard, performing a utilitarian function, or shade or harmonize with the color concept of the dacha.

The color of the lamp can be selected in accordance with the design of the site

Stones and rubble. They often mask the base of the fountain and the water reservoir and pump located underneath. Possible options with the layout of large stones in a chaotic manner on small pebbles. The recommendation from designers in this case is to use no more than two varieties of stone, which will avoid piling up colors and shapes.

With the help of stones, you can create real miniature grottoes on the site.

Variants of even backfilling with blued pebbles have also become widespread, which creates the effect of the presence of a reservoir - a dry lake, stream, etc. This technique allows you to connect the fountain with other decorative elements of the site.

Stone "stream" looks especially original

If the pebbles are painted different colors, then around the fountain you can lay out ornaments and patterns resembling a flower bed, Indian motifs, etc.

With the help of colored pebbles, you can create any pattern

Pond with plants. If the arrangement of a small artificial reservoir, then decorate it aquatic plants taking into account the requirements for lighting, water temperature, etc. Preference should be given to unpretentious specimens.

A body of water surrounded all kinds of plants gives you the feeling of being in the wild

Placement of the fountain among ornamental deciduous plants, the shape of the crown or leaf blade of which is in harmony with the general style of the hydraulic structure.

Even a small discreet fountain will sparkle with new colors surrounded by plants

Stylization of the material used for the main part of the fountain, under the general concept of the landscape. You can even make a mini fountain with your own hands. Here, as well as with sculptures that serve as sources or receivers of water, installation should be carried out in advance - before trial run structures.

For such a fountain there is a place even in a small area.

Rules for care and maintenance

The operation of a home fountain does not require special knowledge, skill or skill. It is enough to follow simple rules:

change water filters regularly;
twice a month to control and replenish the water level in the tank;
dismantle removable structural elements for the winter;
when cold weather sets in, cover the pit wooden canvas from boards or plywood.

Thus the owners suburban areas they can independently build a fountain with their own hands from improvised materials. A hydraulic structure can be decorated in uniform style with the surrounding landscape or become an accent of the landscape. Simple care rules do not require special skills and significant efforts, and a variety of models allows you to choose an option for every taste and budget.

Even the smallest fountain is capable of transforming the landscape of a summer house or a private house beyond recognition. decorative building it will definitely become a favorite recreational area on your site, because it will give you the opportunity to unite with nature at any moment. Would you like it to become a reality sooner? There is nothing super complicated here - everyone can make a fountain with their own hands. Don't believe? Then to your attention is 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 suitable option 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 house or private house.

So, for a large area, it is better to choose a classic sculptural model that will become the center landscape composition. And for a modest courtyard, fountains in the form of: sea shells, fairy-tale heroes, houses, pots and other similar figures.

Original fountain from improvised materials

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 the construction of stones. 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 on copper pipe- it is through it that water will flow to the top of the structure. Then close the gaps with small pebbles and seal the gaps with silicone sealant.

Choose a location

The next step is to decide where exactly on the site the fountain will be located. In order for the 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.

First, the fountain has no place on too open area, since under the influence of active sun rays water may begin to "bloom".
Secondly, the fountain cannot be placed among powerful trees - their roots can provoke deformation of the reservoir and waterproofing. In addition, 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 wind will fall on its walls.
Fourthly, it is undesirable to stir the fountain in the open wind so that its gusts do not “tear off” the jets.

Position the fountain so that it can be seen from different parts of the site

Thus, the ideal location for decorative fountain- light penumbra 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 of a pre-calculated depth and the diameter you need.

Important! The depth level of the tank must be below the ground level so that the soil around the fountain bowl does not wash away and the base does not deform.

Pour on the bottom of the resulting pit thin layer sand and carefully reinforce its side walls with bricks.
Cover the inner surface of the pit with dense plastic wrap- it will prevent the passage of water.
Fix the film along the top edge of the tank and seal the seams with frost-resistant silicone sealant. Pour stones at the bottom of the pit, distributing them over the surface of the film. Stones should not be sharp so as not to deform the film.
Install a small emergency drain near the pit in order to prevent the water level in the tank from rising.

Fountain construction

Installing the pump

The fountain will not be able to work without the most important mechanism -. It is he who is responsible for the continuous movement of the water flow. General principle The operation of the pump is simple: water is ejected through the nozzle into the tank, then it enters the pipeline, where it undergoes coarse and fine cleaning, and then the already purified water is sent back to the nozzle.

The quality of the functioning of the fountain 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. It is suitable for small weak fountains.

Diagram: fountain pump operation

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 designed for large fountains with a complex design.

Pipeline for pumping system can be constructed from plastic pipes. Their optimal diameter- 16 mm.

Advice. In order to enhance the operation 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 must be provided with special fasteners for installation. But a home-made stone fountain is best installed on metal slats, previously laid on top of the tank.

Then proceed to decorate the structure. The fountain can be decorated with plants, stones of various sizes, clay figurines, microsculptures and any other details that seem appropriate to you on your site.

You can decorate the fountain with stones, sculptures and plants

Do not forget about such a spectacular decor 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.

How to see to do 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 quality materials and don't be afraid to experiment with decor - by following these three simple rules, you will definitely get a functional fountain that will delight your eyes and tune in a positive way for many years.