William Wilson Water will pump through the diffuser and flow across the riser, returning to the reservoir at a closed system cycle.

Water will pump through the diffuser and flow across the riser, returning to the reservoir at a closed system cycle.

Make a Stone Waterfall Garden Fountain A well-placed water feature adds elegance and beauty to any garden or yard. This waterfall takes up little space, but has a large effect. Bring tranquility and beauty to the yard for this weekend DIY project.



What You'll Need 37-gallon heavy-duty trashcan with lid / forty 10-1/2-inch x 7-inch x 3-1/2-inch tumbled stone bricks / twenty-six 7-inch x 7-inch x 3-1/2-inch tumbled stone bricks / 1 7-inch x 3-1/2-inch x 1-3/4-inch tumbled stone bricks / 1/2 HP Sump pump with 1-1/4-inch hose / two 12-inch lengths 2-inch pvc pipe / 22-inch plastic flower box / 1-1/4-inch bulkhead / 1-1/4-inch thread adapter / 2 1-1/4-inch road 90-degree elbow pipes / 1-1/2-inch x 48-inch perforated angle iron / 22-inch x 39-inch piece pond liner / 26-inch x 7-inch aluminum flashing / silicone sealant / 2 1-1/4-inch hose barbs with straps / 24-inch x 24-inch metal lath or heavy screen / 24-inch x 48-inch slate slab / shovel / flat / tape gauge / drill using 2-1/2-inch and 1-1/4-inch hole saws / tin snips / utility knife / jigsaw



Dig Hole and Place Reservoir Select a location and orientation for your fountain. Check with utility companies before digging, then use a scoop to dig out a hole just big enough to hold your 37-gallon trash can, leaving a rise of approximately two inches in the surface. Use a level to make sure can rests evenly. Fill any gaps around the can and cover with lid while functioning to keep out dirt. This trashcan will serve as a reservoir from which water will be drawn and returned while the fountain is functioning.



Level Ground Use dirt out of hole or paver foundation to level the floor and tamp down. It's important the ground be level and firm to set up a sturdy foundation for the fountain riser.



Construct Bottom Riser Tier Using tumbled stone, make a riser tier 39-1/2 x 21 inches, with a long side-by-side 1 inch from the reservoir at its midpoint. Tumbled stone located at your local hardware rock is designed to provide a number of configurations which will end in uniform dimensions. Press firmly to set grade and use a level to affirm it rests plumb and level.



Establish Pass-throughs for Electricity and Water Lines Remove the tumbled rock resting at the edge of the reservoir and then dig out a 3-inch-deep trench from the reservoir into the open area inside the riser. Repeat this procedure on the long border contrary to the reservoir. Measure down 1 inch from the lip on the reservoir in the midpoint of the riser and drill a hole using a 2-1/2-inch hole saw. This gap will be used to make a pass-through for water and electricity lines from the sump pump.



Insert Raceway Place a 12-inch span pvc throughout the drilled hole install wall mount tv service . hanging roughly two inches inside the reservoir. Bury pipe and replace tumbled stone above. Place a second slice of PVC from the trench contrary to the reservoir, bury and replace WoW rock.



End Riser Add five more tiers of tumbled stone, with a level to validate the riser remains square and level. Vary stone configuration of each tier to make a patchwork look. Finally, put in a seventh coating, using 7-inch x 3-1/2-inch x 1-3/4-inch tumbled bricks to create a focused, half-height 24-1/2-inch-wide spillway gap facing the reservoir, as shown.



Attach Bulkhead into Diffuser Use 1-1/4-inch hole saw bit to drill a hole at the bottom of the flower box 3 inches from a short end. Push bulkhead though the hole and secure with nut. Attach thread adapter into the bulkhead inside the box.



Assemble Diffuser Attach a road 90-degree elbow to the thread adapter facing the middle of the box and complete with next road elbow facing downward. This box will break inside the riser and function as a diffuser, alllowing water and flow freely over the spillway to make a waterfall.



Place Sump Pump Set sump pump at the bottom of the reservoir (pump may be placed on a paver to reduce debris intake, if desired). Water will pump through the diffuser and flow across the riser, returning to the reservoir at a closed system cycle.



Thread Plumbing and Power Use a hose barb and clamp to attach hose to the sump pump. Push the hose and power cord from the sump pump throughout the raceway into the riser. Drape the nozzle over the top of the riser and push the power cable through the back raceway of the riser at which it can be plugged into a socket to provide power to the pump.



Shape Mounting Bracket Beginning at one end of 48-inch-long perforated angle iron, mark and measure points at 5-1/2 inches, 13-1/2 inches, 34-1/2 inches and 42-1/2 inches. Using a jigsaw, cut one edge of the bracket at marked points and fold into a rectangle using a 10-inch open gap on one side, as displayed. Trim edges as needed to permit a secure fit inside the riser. This bracket will break within the riser and can be utilized to support the diffuser.



Measure Water Barrier Put the mounting bracket at the center of a 22-inch x 39-inch piece of pond liner and indicate points within every corner.



Cut Water Barrier Use a utility knife to cut a large "X" in the liner from marked points. This waterpoof sheet will be used to create a barrier between the diffuser and the riser to avoid overflow.



Insert Mounting Bracket Place mounting bracket in riser so the open side of the bracket rests on the rear of the riser and the long edge rests within the spillway (bend as needed to assure a secure fit).



Attach Diffuser Lay the water barrier over the mounting bracket and then pass the nozzle through the gap. Attach sump pump hose pipe into the bulkhead on the bottom of the diffuser (flower box).



Mount Diffuser Put the diffuser inside the mounting bracket, making sure the water barrier extends beneath the lip on either side. The diffuser will pitch slightly forward in the space to allow water to flow smoothly though the spillway.



Shape Scupper Along one long side of aluminum flashing, mark points 1 inch from each end. Along the opposite border, mark points 1-1/2 inches. Use a pencil to connect the things in short ends. Bend flashing 90 degrees along pencil lines. This "scupper" will break in spillway to direct water flow.



Place Scupper Center the scupper in the spillway under the water barrier together with the tall border at the back of the spillway. The outer border should break evenly along the exterior edge of stones.



Fill Reservoir Use a garden hose to fill the reservoir with water, stopping about an inch beneath the pass-though pipe.



Seal Diffuser Assembly Once desired flow is achieved, turn pump off. Lift and drain diffuser and thoroughly dry diffuser, water barrier and scupper with a towel. Use silicone to line borders where the diffuser meets the water barrier and then press diffuser securely back in place. Turn up front border of water barrier, draw on a line of silicone on the cover of the scupper and press obstruction back in position. The silicone acts as a seal, so maintaining parts in place and preventing water from contact with the stone or flowing inside the riser.



Cut Reservoir Cover Use a jigsaw or utility knife to cut half of this trashcan lid, leaving a three inch edge to make a half-moon thorough which water can flow. Place the lid topside-down in addition to the reservoir.



Cut and Place Reservoir Screen Use tin snips to cut a half-moon of lath or thick display that fulfills the edges of the trash can lid and extends at least 3 inches past the middle of the lid. Place screen on lid to cover the gap. This screen allows water to flow to the reservoir while restricting debris.



Place Cap After silicone seal has dried, then turn the pump back to confirm water is flowing properly. If no further adjustments are required, set a 24-inch x 48-inch slab of slate on top of the riser to cap.



Landscape It Place stones of varying sizes around the borders of the reservoir to vague screen and include native plants round the website to accent its natural beauty. Avoid placing rocks beneath the water flow to prevent splashing that will gradually clog the system.



Light It Up Contemplate accent lighting to showcase this gorgeous fountain following sunrise.



Maintenance This peaceful fountain may run full-time or place onto a timer to flow just at peak times. Assess water levels to maintain and burn as necessary. Drain fountain during winter months to prevent damage to pipes.