Add Sound to Your Patio with Water Garden Fountains
When it comes to adding features to a patio or garden, there is nothing more popular than adding a water garden fountain. These self-contained water features may be the size of a large plantar, may be installed on the wall of your home or a fence or may provide a water wall to protect your privacy.
A spray fountain is a standard for many of us. With a submersed pump these fountains have a reservoir of water that sprays up through a fountain fitting and then falls back to the surface. They may be simple or have elaborate spray heads that provide patterns to the spray.
Tiered fountains are more elegant and controlled. Water is pumped from the lowest level of the reservoir and flows from the third smaller tier at the top. From there it falls into a middle tier and then overflows into the lower and larger tier. Some of these have statues around the level of the fountain or a statue at the top pouring water into the water garden fountain.
A recent addition is the solar powered water garden fountain. For areas where an electrical supply is not easy to access, this may be the answer to the problem. A solar panel is usually part of the pump itself and the pump floats in the pool. These are low voltage fountains so are of necessity small in size. Even so, the easy of use and installation have made solar fountains popular with the public and it’s likely more powerful versions will be available before long.
Always remember when you are using a fountain you are combining electricity and water. Done properly, it is perfectly safe but requires a weatherproof electrical connection and this is not the place to try a regular extension cord.
When locating your fountain consider the wind conditions that prevail in your area. You don’t want guests dampened by a spray of water as they sit on your patio. For this reason sheltering your fountain from open areas where wind might be a problem is something to consider.
If you are building a swimming pool you might consider installing a fountain in the concrete deck around your pool. Two or three columns of spouting water that come from a hole in the concrete add personality to your pool area. If carefully placed they also are a great way to rinse off grass or dirt before entering the pool. Such a fountain requires professional installation and are usually hard wired to the electric supply of your home with a switch that turns them on or off from inside your home or garage.
A water garden fountain need not be tall or use a large amount of water. A small water feature with a thin arc of water falling into it can add interest to the entry way of your home. A fountain of contemporary design might serve as a focal point on your deck or patio. For some of the contemporary designs the water is a secondary element added to a modern sculpture.
