DIY Network

Water Features 101 Water Features 101 From "Grounds for Improvement" episode DGFI-110

With the old water feature out of the ground, the new plans need to be laid out.

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Figure A

There are all types of water features you can buy. You can buy kits specifically designed for waterfalls at your local home-improvement store. For this project, we're using a microfalls system that will create a cascading waterfall into the main pond. The two main components to this system are a microfalls unit and a skimmer. Once you've decided what kind you like, map out the area with landscape marking paint. After the area has been marked, it's time to dig (figure A)! To get the hole both deep and wide enough you'll need to make room for the skimmer; the mechanism that cleans the pond.

Dean suggests hooking up the skimmer to the microfalls next. That way, when the dirt goes back in, the water hose is already covered up. The pump sits inside the microfalls unit at the top of the point where the waterfall will begin, and the skimmer is in the pond where the water will collect. The hose is connected between the two parts. The way to seal up the hose is to put a bead of silicone around the end before you secure it to the skimmer.

After the hose has been connected, continue digging for the second layer of the two-part liner system. Once the hole has been dug, it's time to put in the underlayment. The underlayment keeps rocks and roots from damaging the water feature. It goes down before the liner. Make sure to cover the entire area with the underlayment and liner. The liner is a very important step. It's like a piecrust: everything else for the pond will go inside it. You'll need to press down on the liner to make sure there's room for the second layer; it needs to be a tight fit. You can bring in large stones to secure the liner and add to the overall look of the water feature. Don't worry if there are wrinkles in the liner. After the stones are brought in, the liner will smooth out. The stones will not always change the sound of the water feature; there are other techniques you can use.

Attaching the liner to the skimmer takes only a few steps. First, trace the opening to the skimmer onto the liner, and then cut it out. Then put silicone sealer around the edge of the skimmer and place the liner on top. The silicone sealer will keep water from leaking out. The last step is to screw in the plate that will hold the liner into place. You'll find this plate inside the water feature kit. There is also a similar plate that is screwed into place for the microfall.

RESOURCES :

Black and Decker tools
Website: www.blackanddecker.com
Black & Decker, Inc. (Corporate)
Website: www.bdk.com/main_bd.htm

Porter-Cable Tools
Porter-Cable Corporation
Website: www.deltaportercable.com

Aquascape pond kit
Aquascape Designs, Inc. (wholesale)
Website: www.aquascapedesigns.com

Delta Woodworking Tools
Deltak Power Tools
Website: www.deltamachinery.com

Irwin Industrial Tool Company
Website: www.irwin.com

Ames True Temper Tools
Ames-True Temper
Website: www.ames-truetemper.com

American Society of Landscape Architects