An artificial waterfall for the house and a real one for giving. How to make a waterfall in the country with your own hands Do-it-yourself artificial waterfall desktop
At the mention of the word dacha, many shudder. I immediately remember kilometers of unplowed beds, tons of fierce mosquitoes, and weekends spent in hellish and thankless work.
And what if you make not a slave plantation out of the dacha, but an oasis in which it will be pleasant to relax with the whole family?
One of the solutions for a piece of paradise is a mini waterfall in the country. Some will say that it is costly and difficult, but in reality it is far from the case. Moreover, you can do without the services of a designer, the main thing is the desire and some free time. I would like to talk about how to make a waterfall with your own hands.
Choosing a place for a waterfall in the country
Surprisingly, choosing a place for a reservoir is one of the most difficult stages of building a waterfall in a country house with your own hands. The wrong location can not only spoil the visual perception, but also create certain difficulties.
In addition to the elementary convenience of the location, it is necessary to take into account several important factors:
- A decorative waterfall in the country is, although small, a hydraulic structure. Trees and large shrubs should not grow near it. In hot weather, their roots will feel the reservoir and reach for it, destroying the hydroprotection. Sometimes it is better to sacrifice a tree than to make a new bowl later.
- Do not place a decorative waterfall near the country house. Any accidental destruction or overflow can cause wetting and break the foundation, besides, the splashes inevitable for the waterfall will remain on the walls of the country house and cause the growth of fungus and mold.
- It is advisable to install a waterfall on a natural landscape hill. This will be a plus both for the visual perception of the country reservoir, and will play a role in the construction. But if there is no such place in the summer cottage, you can also place it on the plain, and artificially create a hill, the main thing is that it should not be a lowland. In this case, the wind will drive all the debris into the reservoir and constantly clog the pump.
And of course, an important factor is the view of the waterfall. Often it becomes a key element of the landscape design of the dacha, so it is important to place it in an open area, and with a free approach.
When the choice of place is made, you can proceed to the selection of the size and material of the bowl of the future country reservoir itself.
Choosing a bowl for a waterfall
Today, you can make your work even easier and purchase a ready-made container in the store, but their main disadvantage is that they limit the design imagination to the choice of shapes and sizes of reservoirs. Therefore, we will not dwell on them in too much detail. The main thing you need to know about purchased bowls for ponds is their difference in the materials from which they are made. There are two types of containers for country reservoirs:
If there is a desire to make a decorative waterfall in the country with your own hands and give complete freedom to creativity and imagination, then you will have to make the bowl yourself. The process will be somewhat more complicated, but the result will be a truly original object of country landscape design.
Choosing the size of the waterfall
The size of the reservoir in the country depends entirely on the preferences of the owners and the landscape. But this will affect the choice of the pump, which we will discuss below. The main thing is the functional component, and here we can distinguish three main areas:
Important ! Higher safety requirements are imposed on a reservoir in a country house with a depth of more than a meter;
We create a waterfall with our own hands
In order for the waterfall in the country house to become a real work of art, and a striking element of landscape design that you can show off to friends and acquaintances, you must clearly follow the step-by-step instructions, paying close attention to every nuance.
Territory marking
Any construction with your own hands should begin with drawings and calculations, and the waterfall in the country is no exception. The selected place must be outlined, taking into account the thickness of the bowl, that is, we add about 20-30 cm more to the area of \u200b\u200bthe reservoir.
Advice ! for clarity, you can transfer the site plan to paper with all the elements. This will visually show what is the best shape and size of the waterfall.
foundation pit
As well as the area, the depth of the pit should be 20-30 cm more than the planned depth of the reservoir. We will not describe the digging process in detail, but we will highlight a few important points:
Waterproofing and the bottom of the waterfall
The base for the waterfall in the country in the form of a pit and a slide is ready, which means that you need to move on to isolation. To do this, you can use a special geotextile or just a plastic film.
Advice ! using a film for waterproofing a reservoir in the country, you must choose the thickest one you can find. Perhaps she will never have to hold the water that has broken through, but, as they say, "God saves the safe."
If the size of the pit turned out to be larger than the size of the film, it should be laid with an overlap of at least 50 cm. As a result, the bottom, walls and coastline should be under the film. Later, its unsightly appearance will hide behind decorative elements.
After laying the insulation, the bottom of the future country waterfall is covered with a small layer of fine gravel, it will serve as a kind of “cushion” and save the reservoir in case of ground movements.
The gravel layer is leveled and a reinforcing mesh with a mesh size of not more than 4 cm is laid on it.
Advice ! when choosing a reinforcing mesh for a waterfall in the country, it is better to give preference to the fiberglass version, it is resistant to the alkali contained in the cement and will not tear the film, as a metal mesh can do.
The bottom base of the country waterfall is ready and it can be poured with concrete mortar, after which it must be allowed to dry completely for several days.
bowl walls
After the bottom of the reservoir has completely solidified, a mesh is fixed to the walls with plastic fasteners and a flexible formwork is installed, both of which can be bought at any hardware store and are relatively inexpensive.
Concrete mortar is poured into the finished formwork, and several more days of tedious waiting come, after which you can remove the formwork and admire the result of your work.
Interesting ! If the walls of the reservoir turned out to be uneven and crooked, do not despair, this will only add naturalness to the waterfall. As you know, nature does not tolerate straight lines.
The video shows how in just a few minutes, a simple and unsightly pit turns into a real waterfall.
Pump installation
A waterfall pump in the country is a topic for a separate article. The most important thing is to correctly calculate its power, which depends on the height of the cascade and the volume of the bowl. For example, for decorative reservoirs, a power of 70 watts is enough, you can find out more from the seller in the store, telling him the volume of the tank and the height of the waterfall to which you need to raise the water.
Water pumps are of two types:
- Submersible. They are installed directly on the bottom, which means that they can only be used in reservoirs in which they will not swim.
- Surface. They are located near the waterfall and take water through submerged hoses, which can be decorated or immured into the walls when pouring concrete.
Important ! Hiding hoses in concrete, you need to buy the most expensive and high-quality ones, as well as make additional protection for them. Damage to the hoses inside the walls of the reservoir will create huge problems and entail reworking the entire waterfall.
Any pump for a waterfall in the country is powered by a 220 V household network, so it will not need additional energy sources, but it may be necessary to increase the power cord with extension cords. In this case, you need to choose an extension cord with a special waterproofing that will not close when water gets on it.
DIY waterfall decoration
Technical nuances and difficulties are behind us, and you can finally give freedom to your imagination. There are no restrictions on decorating a waterfall in the country, and cannot be. The main thing is to make the pond look natural.
To help decide, consider some of the most popular design solutions for a waterfall in the country:
In addition to stones, for decorating a waterfall in a country house with their own hands, plants are often used that can grow both on the shore and in a pond. Of course, vegetation can decorate any body of water, but it is important to remember that there will be much more problems with such an element of country landscape decor.
Conclusion
As you can see, making a waterfall in the country with your own hands is not such a big deal. Everything depends only on desire. Even the financial side of the issue is not so important, because to create it you do not need to buy any super-expensive materials.
And if there is a desire, then after spending just a few days off, then it will be possible for many years to enjoy the sounds of iridescent waters and views of your own, small oasis in the country.
Feng Shui followers believe that a waterfall, albeit a small one, installed in the northwestern part of the room, can provide well-being and prosperity in the house.
Do-it-yourself indoor waterfall- this is a worthy alternative to expensive factory products, because in this way it will turn out to be completely unique and will cost relatively cheaply.
home waterfall
You will need
- 1 clay stand with a diameter of 35 cm
- 1 clay stand with a diameter of 18 cm
- 1 clay stand with a diameter of 15 cm
- 3 clay coasters with a diameter of 10 cm
- 1 clay pot with a diameter of 15 cm
- 1 clay pot with a diameter of 10 cm
- indoor fountain pump
- pump hose
- liquid silicone
- dye
- decor (stones, plants)
Progress
- Paint from a spray can on the largest stand in diameter. This should be done for additional moisture resistance, since clay is a fairly porous material.
- Soak all containers in water for about an hour. Thanks to this trick, it will be easier to drill holes later.
- Drill a hole in the stand with a diameter of 18 cm along the thickness of the hose, process the edges with a file.
- At one of the small coasters, the edges were cut on 4 sides to drain the water. In the rest, make only 2 such recesses.
- In a pot with a diameter of 15 cm, also make 4 recesses on the edge and a hole in the bottom.
- Connect the water supply hose to the pump.
- Turn the pot with a diameter of 15 cm upside down and put it on the widest stand. Pass the hose from the side, stretching it into the recess on the edge of the pot, and pull it out through the hole in the center.
- Place a stand with a diameter of 18 cm on top.
- Cut off the excess part of the hose, and treat the hole with liquid silicone.
- Also set the small pot upside down, and place one of the smallest plates on top.
- The lowest tier of the waterfall will consist of two small stands, installed one on top of the other.
- Decorate the fountain with stones and plants.
- The beauty! Just remember to change the water from time to time.
The dream of many owners of a summer house or a private house is a lake with a waterfall. Such a decoration immediately transforms and enlivens the site, adds zest, refreshes on hot summer days. A decorative waterfall can be quite small and fit even in a limited area. Its construction is actually simpler than it might seem: in order to create a structure with your own hands, you will need to buy some building materials and follow our recommendations exactly.
Falls location
Initially, it is worth deciding on the location of the structure, since the right choice of location determines the service life and ease of maintenance of the waterfall. In addition, a waterfall, placed in a good place, harmonizes the entire site. 
Places to avoid building:
- near the house or other structures. Proximity to water can lead to the spread of fungi on the walls of the building as a result of moisture evaporation;
- right under the trees. In the autumn, the care of the waterfall can be complicated due to the fall of the leaves. In addition, the sun will not fall on it. The root system of trees can destroy the structure underground;
- in the distant parts of the garden, in the thickets. The waterfall will be difficult to notice, it will lose its decorative value.
So, what you need to consider when choosing a place:
- The presence of a slope.
- The presence of shade at lunchtime (from a fence, gazebo, house or tree).
- Free access to the waterfall from three sides.
- The integrity of the composition with the waterfall turned on and off.
Important!Please note that the waterfall should look harmonious on the territory both in working form and after being turned off.
Necessary materials
In the process of work, you will need the following materials:
- for marking: pegs and thread (can be replaced with whitewash);
- shovel;
- waterproofing film or finished plastic (concrete) tank structure;
- river stones, smooth cobblestones;
- cement, polyurethane foam;
- pump;
- hoses;
- pump filter, dry run protection system;
- ornamental terrestrial and underwater plants.
Depth and shape of the waterfall bowl
When building a waterfall, it is important to think about how to equip the bowl. There are three possible options:
- Stone-concrete bowl with full waterproofing. This option is considered labor-intensive, difficult to implement and outdated. It was used before the invention of other ways of arranging artificial ponds.
- Flexible insulation. Provides for the use of a durable film for covering the pit.
- Rigid isolation. Means the use of a finished mold made of composite or plastic.
Important! The depth of the bowl depends on your preferences and intentions: if you want to populate the tank with fish, plant underwater plants, the bowl should be at least 120 cm deep. If the purpose of the structure is exclusively decorative, you can limit yourself to a shallow bowl up to 80 cm.
Let's consider the second and third options in more detail. With a large-scale construction (more than 10 sq. M), you can choose a film coating, and the deeper the reservoir, the stronger and thicker the film should be. The thickness of the film depends on the depth:
- up to 1 m - 0.8 mm;
- up to 1.5 m - 1.2 mm;
- deeper than 1.5 m - 1.5 mm or more.
When choosing a bowl, focus on those that are equipped with recesses and terraces for plants. Keep in mind that in shallow containers (up to 80-100 cm) in severe frosts, the water will freeze completely, therefore, if there are plants, they will need to be removed for the winter. The shape of the pond depends entirely on your tastes. For greater naturalness and harmony, it may have an irregular shape, with turns and convolutions. But if the shape is too complex, the design can be difficult to care for. We equip the base of the pit
When you have decided on the location, shape and size of the structure, you can begin to equip the pit. First you need to clear the area by removing leaves, branches, stones. Next, you need to use pegs and rope or whitewash to outline the perimeter of the future pond. Now you can proceed directly to digging the pit.
As you dig, you will notice that the walls of the hole are crumbling a little and the earth is crumbling, which is normal. To strengthen the walls, they need to be periodically watered with water and clapped with the palm of your hand, as if tamping. In the process of digging, having reached the desired depth, it is worth making a mark and dig another 10-15 cm of earth. An even and dense layer of river sand is laid on the bottom, which will serve as a pillow.Did you know?In nature, the sound of waterfalls plays a huge role: it is a guide for migratory birds. Noise has a calming effect on a person, helps to overcome stress and anxiety. The power of the noise of large waterfalls is impressive: during the day it spreads for 2 km, and at night for 7 km around!
Cascades
An artificial reservoir in the garden can be either with a waterfall or with cascades. If you are not sure which option to choose, consider the advantages and disadvantages of both design methods.
- The waterfall is formed with a significant difference in height, while the water flows down with a powerful, direct stream with noise, breaks against stones, forming splashes and foam. It looks spectacular, but under the constant strong influence of water, the stones can collapse faster. To create individual streams of water, you need to use a stone with uneven ones. jagged edges.
- The cascade is formed with the help of several ledges on different tiers of the structure, through which the water flows down quietly and smoothly with a pleasant murmur. Contemplation of cascades fills with calmness, pacifies, splashes and foam are not formed in the process. To more weaken the flow in cascades, you can use stones with notches - water will accumulate in these tanks and flow out smoothly.
Important!The height of the waterfall or cascades is determined by the power of your pump. It is optimal to build waterfalls up to 1.5 m, in which case the pump will most efficiently and easily cope with the task of pumping water.
Then you can give free rein to your imagination and build the most unusual cascade. Use mounting foam or cement to fasten the cobblestones. So that the fasteners are not conspicuous at the joints, sprinkle them immediately after gluing with sand or fine gravel - this will add naturalness and hide traces of human origin. 
Bowl arrangement
In the design of the bowl, you can use live plants, stones, seashells and pebbles. When choosing vegetation, take into account the following points:
- harmony of plants with the overall composition of the garden and the interior of the house;
- necessary conditions and climate for plants;
- flowering period.
In addition to coastal plants, the pond needs to be decorated with underwater ones. They perform not only a decorative function, but also regulate the number of bacteria, enrich the water with oxygen and generally improve its composition. From underwater plants, you can choose the following: - swamp;
- hornwort;
- duckweed;
- lotuses and lilies;
- water lilies.
Important!It is necessary to constantly regulate the population and thin out the vegetation from time to time, as it should not cover more than half of the surface of the pond.
Pump selection and installation
The pump is the main element that will fill your pond with life and ensure the flow of water throughout the structure. Therefore, the choice of the pump must be approached responsibly.
Main types of pumps:
- submersible - located under water, quiet in operation, cheaper. This is the most common option;
- outdoor - located on land, requires masking in the composition of the reservoir, creates noise in the process.
Hoses are connected to the pump. One goes outside, directly from it and the jet beats. This hose must be well hidden between stones and plants. The second hose sucks in water and is located at the bottom of the tank. When buying a pump, ask if it needs a filter, since most devices can only pump clean water. Also take care of protection against dry running - when the pumping equipment does not pump water when turned on. From the pump, there will also be a cord for connecting to a low-voltage transformer, which should be hidden in the room. The cord must be securely protected from moisture. It should be positioned so that it does not catch the eye in the overall composition. Step-by-step instruction
Let's summarize the main stages of creating a decorative waterfall with your own hands.
The design of the local area and the backyard plot in many styles most often does not do without the arrangement of various types of artificial reservoirs. Making a decorative waterfall with your own hands is not too difficult, but when building such a structure on your own, you need to be guided by the main technological characteristics and rules of arrangement.
How is the waterfall
According to their main characteristics, all decorative waterfalls can be represented by several types:
- depending on the height - small, medium and large;
- depending on the width of the spillway - having a wide line and jet;
- depending on the number of cascades - two-stage, multi-stage and conventional;
- depending on the material of manufacture of the hydraulic structure - glass, stone, combined, metal and others.
The basic principle of operation of the most common and frequently erected options is to pump water through pumping equipment with a filter. In this system of water circulation, all the liquid used necessarily falls into the so-called basin bowl, from which the return water intake is carried out.
- 1 - wall;
- 2 - outlet waterfall hole;
- 3 - edging paving;
- 4 - coating with waterproofing properties;
- 5 - laying building material;
- 6 - pumping equipment;
- 7 - the base of the structure.
A pool bowl for a waterfall is an integral element of a do-it-yourself hydraulic structure. The shape and size, as well as the depth of such a sealed tank can be absolutely anything. A stationary font is usually made using a special film or waterproof tile.
The functioning of the system is determined by the connection to a stationary electrical network or a special generator. Also, the most necessary components include a filter system, which will facilitate the operation of pumping equipment and prevent water from blooming in the font.
Which pump to choose
The technical equipment for a decorative waterfall is represented by pumping equipment with a filter, supplemented by an overflow water system. The ideal option is to have two pumps in one pond. The first device is intended for filtration, and the second unit is used only for the functioning of a decorative structure. Pumps can be remote and internal.
Remote or external models are easy to maintain, can be designed for sufficiently large power ratings, and during operation there is almost no danger of damage to electrical wiring.
Submersible or indoor models for the winter period must be removed from the water, cleaned and thoroughly dried. The process of installing submersible devices in artificial reservoirs is quite quick and simple, with the connection of power supply and water supply pipes, and the operation of such equipment hidden under water is almost completely silent.
When choosing a model, top priority will require maximum pressure, as well as performance indicators. The first data is measured in meters and indicates the maximum height of the water jet, and to measure the maximum performance, liters or cubic meters per hour are used. This indicator determines the volume of liquid pumped by the pump in one hour of operation of the structure.
Table: parameters for choosing pumping equipment
| Water flow width | 0.8 m | 0.6 m | 0.4 m | 0.2 m |
| Decorative waterfall height | ||||
| 80 cm | 124 l/min | 97 l/min | 73 l/min | 50 l/min |
| 60 cm | 108 l/min | 83 l/min | 62 l/min | 42 l/min |
| 40 cm | 83 l/min | 63 l/min | 47 l/min | 30 l/min |
| 20 cm | 60 l/min | 47 l/min | 35 l/min | 22 l/min |
The selection of pumping equipment is based on the characteristics of the waterfall flow. Most often, most manufacturers compile special tables that greatly facilitate the independent selection of the pump in accordance with the main parameters.
Table: equipment types and characteristics
| Waterfall "Bell" | Waterfall "Cascade" | Waterfall "Geyser" | |||
| Water column height | Performance pumping equipment | Water column height | Performance pumping equipment | Water column height | Performance pumping equipment |
| 30 cm | 900 l/h | 60 cm | 1000 l/h | 20 cm | 2000 l/h |
| 40 cm | 1200 l/h | 100 cm | 2000 l/h | 30 cm | 3000 l/h |
| 50 cm | 3000 l/h | 150 cm | 3000 l/h | 50 cm | 4000 l/h |
| 60 cm | 3000 l/h | 200 cm | 5000 l/h | 70 cm | 5000 l/h |
| 80 cm | 4000 l/h | 250 cm | 6000 l/h | 80 cm | 7000 l/h |
| 90 cm | 6000 l/h | 300 cm | 8000 l/h | ||
However, it is important to remember that the presence of any additional units, filter system or bends in hoses and installed pipes will reduce the power rating of the installed pump.
How to make a waterfall on the site with your own hands - step by step instructions
All artificial reservoirs can be distinguished by the uniqueness of their design, original design, shape and size, but the simplest options are easily built by hand, with little time, effort and money. It is very important to choose the right place for arrangement and type of construction.
Cascade-type waterfalls often become the starting point on which the entire backyard design is built. As a rule, such artificial reservoirs are built using natural stone and decorative concrete. Stone construction is more time consuming and costly, and concrete elements are most often cast directly on the construction site.
The maximum configuration is represented by a pair of pumps, one of which is installed on the general flow, and the second on separate parts of the protrusions, as well as a flow or pressure filter, a remote unit for controlling the power of the water flow and turning it on, underwater or surface-type decorative lighting. If you have a small budget, it is enough to install only one pump.
For the construction and decoration, the following materials are used:
- sand;
- gravel;
- concrete mixture;
- waterproof sealant;
- geotextile;
- waterproofing film;
- artificial or natural stone;
- electrical part;
- water circulation system in the form of a pump, filter, pipes, spout bowl;
- ornamental plants and elements for design.
Step by step:
- With the help of a thick rope, mark out the selected area of the territory, and then outline the marked shape of the future waterfall with spray paint.
In accordance with the markings made on the site, the top layer of turf is removed, after which a foundation pit is dug according to the selected depth. It is very important to take into account the presence of steps in the bowl, as well as the possibility of forming waterfall levels and the main platform.
A high-quality geotextile layer is laid on the bottom and walls of the pit, and the top of the bowl is lined with solid waterproofing materials, which must necessarily go a little to the edges of the bowl. All excess waterproofing is cut off.
Waterfall steps are laid out on the waterproofing layer, which must be mounted with a position check using the usual building level. The maximum tight fit of all plates is ensured by sealing blows with a mallet.
The pool bowl can be laid out from the inside using artificial or natural decorative stone. In a similar way, the entire coastal part of the artificial reservoir is equipped.
The decor can be made using all kinds of stones and plants, and sea pebbles or granite, as well as any other type of waterproof materials, are most often laid on the bottom. If desired, decorative lighting is connected.
After the bowl of the artificial reservoir is filled with water, the water circulation system is connected, including pumping and filtering equipment, as well as pipes. In this option, it is advisable to use a submersible pump installed on the bottom of the reservoir in a basket with stones.
At the final stage, the construction of the upper part of the waterfall is carried out and the correct functioning of the entire system is checked. In order to form not a jet, but a wide water stream, an additional container is installed in the upper part of the “slide”, which must be rectangular in shape.
Unusual dry waterfalls in natural conditions represent the natural bed of a dried-up river, which has a cascade of paleo-waterfalls with a height difference of several meters. The distance between such waterfalls has the appearance of a natural staircase, which has numerous steps no more than half a meter high. Mysterious artificial dry waterfalls do not have a bowl, and the water flows down several ledges. Such a structure is not a pond with a waterfall, so the reservoir is not visible.
The principle of independent organization of a dry waterfall:
- 1 - a stone with a drilled hole;
- 2 - fine gravel;
- 3 - water pipe;
- 4 - pumping equipment;
- 5 - waterproofing layer;
- 6 - sealant;
- 7 - storage tank;
- 8 - holes;
- 9 - artificial grass;
- 10 - electric cord;
- 11 - decorative stones.
A smaller polymer mesh should be laid on the surface of the metal mesh, which is capable of trapping relatively large debris. From above it is necessary to lay out decorative stones through which water will pass.
At the final stage, you can start decorating the structure of a dry waterfall, including the use of lawn natural or artificial grass, boulders and lighting.
Is it possible to make a waterfall without a pump
The principle of operation of the Peterhof fountain complex lies in a multi-level system, represented by locks and pools, fed from the Ropshinsky springs. But even in the absence of a natural source of water, it is quite possible to build a decorative waterfall with your own hands without using a pump.
According to the diagram, sufficient water pressure is created by means of an elementary height difference.
The location of several containers at different heights allows you to get a smooth flow of water in the erected waterfall. In this case, tanks C and B are completely sealed, and the tank A is an open bowl used to collect water and connected to tank B through an airtight tube. Similar tubes are used to connect vessels B and C, as well as A and C. Initially empty vessel C is in equilibrium with vessels A and B filled with water, and the operation of the system is due to excess pressure if liquid is added to vessel A.
The technology of self-manufacturing of a waterfall structure without the use of pumping equipment:
How to equip
Modern ready-made sets of equipment for the construction of decorative waterfalls have small dimensions and are quite economical, therefore, when making an artificial reservoir on your own, it remains only to correctly determine the arrangement and decoration.
Waterfall structures look very impressive and stylish, complemented by bright flower beds with moisture-loving plants.
Wooden structures are distinguished by their original appearance, which can perfectly fit into the country landscape style.
Dry waterfalls do not require special attention and are an excellent addition to outdoor recreation areas.
A fantastic waterfall wall made of decorative stone of various shapes and shades is successfully combined with a gazebo or porch made in a similar style.
A waterfall that mimics tropical rain is a very unusual solution that will make it easy to decorate the local area in both a rustic and modern style.
Underwater lighting, complemented by profusely flowering plants, will become an original and inexpensive decoration even for a low decorative waterfall.
The use of different types of lighting fixtures with different colors in the decorative lighting of the waterfall design gives the hydraulic structure an unusual and fantastic appearance.
Traditional clay and wooden household items or animal figurines look very homely and very cozy in the design of the structure.
The waterfall in the style of "Mountain Stream" is one of the traditional and most popular design options that allow you to independently create individual forms of the channel, as well as add small lakes.
Rules for care and maintenance
There are several basic rules for the maintenance of hydraulic structures, which are presented:
- diagnostics and performance check of all equipment;
- replacement, if necessary, of all failed units, assemblies and parts;
- cleaning equipment with the removal of all contaminants and accumulated plaque;
- timely replacement or topping up of water.
In summer, artificial reservoirs do not need weekly cleaning, but if necessary, the evaporating liquid should be topped up. High temperature conditions and high humidity levels contribute to the very active development of all kinds of pests that need to be destroyed by special chemical or biological means. With the onset of autumn, remove all fallen leaves and debris, as well as prune plants, drain water and remove equipment.
It is recommended to cover a completely drained decorative pond with a film, board shields or a dense tarpaulin. If there are fish, an electric water pump should be installed. In the spring, when preparing a hydraulic structure for the summer season, a water vacuum cleaner is used, which easily and quickly removes all contamination from the bottom, walls and stones.
Self-construction of an artificial country waterfall has become a very fashionable trend in recent years in modern landscape design. Such hydraulic structures look very unusual and spectacular, and their own construction is not too time-consuming or excessively costly, therefore it is quite affordable for most homeowners.
The design of the site is rarely complete without the device of the reservoir. The water is soothing and cool on a hot day. It’s also good that you can make a waterfall with your own hands, without involving specialists. It is important to have a pump and a place where you can turn it on. Everything else can be done by yourself.
Bowl
Building even a small waterfall with your own hands, you will have to transfer a lot of land: it all starts with land work. It is necessary to dig a pit for a bowl in which water will be collected. Then the container must be sealed. There are two simple methods:
When using a ready-made bowl, you are limited in the choice of shape and depth: only those that are available. In the economy version - for a waterfall in the country - you can use any capacity available on the farm: an old bath or bath. You can even adapt a barrel sawn in half, etc.
Using the film, the shape, as well as the depth, you choose arbitrarily. But when working with the film, you need to be careful: although it is dense, it can be torn.
How to make a waterfall out of film: photo report
First, mark on the ground the desired shape of the bowl of your waterfall. The shape depends on the style of your site. Strict geometric proportions are characteristic of Art Nouveau, may be in Art Deco. In the rest, they try to give more natural, non-linear outlines. Most often, a reservoir in the form of a bean is obtained.
The easiest way to make markings is with sand. It is poured into a bag, a corner is cut off. Waking up sand outlines the contours. This makes it easier to evaluate how correct the form you have chosen. If necessary, it can be corrected immediately.
Sod is removed along the contour, and then a foundation pit is dug. Immediately, in the process of work, you form ledges. The optimal depth of the reservoir is about a meter. How many sites you will make at the same time, and what shape they will be - depends only on your desire.
In the excavated pit, immediately remove all objects that can tear the film: pebbles, pieces of roots, etc. The bottom, ledges, are leveled. The leveled soil is compacted. Use a rammer for this. In the simplest version, this is a piece of a tree trunk with a nailed plank. The deck is raised by the bar, then it is sharply lowered down. This is how the soil is compacted. Then a layer of sand is poured - 5-10 cm. It is leveled with a rake, spilled. Sand take medium-grained. It seals well with water. Otherwise, you will have to ram the sand.
You can immediately form a slide, if it is provided for in your waterfall. For example, such as in the photo below.
Next, a film is spread into the pit. It is desirable to spread it under it (the cheapest one is 600-700 rubles a roll). This non-woven fabric will prevent root growth and also redistribute the load more evenly. It is also laid on the edges of the pit, the sides and bottom are covered. Above already - a film.
As already mentioned, it is better to use a butyl rubber membrane. It can be ordered in any format and your fountain will turn out without seams. The dimensions of the film are calculated simply: the largest width + doubled depth + 60-80 cm for a margin at the edges. If your waterfall is 2 * 3 m in size (at the most extreme points) and 1.2 m deep, then the film will be needed:
- 2 m wide + 2 * 1.2 m + 80 cm = 5.2 m
- 3 m long + 2 * 1.2 m = 0.8 m = 6.2 m
Spread it first at the bottom, straighten it, forming folds. After leveling, press down with stones around the perimeter. Then you can move on to leveling on the ledges.
It is better to completely lay the ledges with stones. The bottom is also desirable, but pebbles and small boulders can be used. And the ledges are best decorated with layered stones. Although they are in the water, they are clearly visible. We are making a waterfall, although artificial, but we want it to look harmonious.
A common mistake when designing a waterfall is that the sides of the bowl are not lined with stone and the film spoils a good idea.
Folding boulders one on one, they can and should be fastened with mortar. You can use both large and medium or small stones. It all depends on the configuration and height of the steps. As a result, the slopes will be uneven, and also with ledges. It looks much better than see through film. Such a homemade waterfall brings satisfaction to the owners.
This is what should happen - stones, not a film, shine through the water on the sides
The whole procedure for building a bowl, all technological and nuances completely coincide with the construction of a pond. Read about how and from what it can be made.
How to install a plastic bowl
When building a waterfall with your own hands using a finished container, for starters, turning it upside down, outline the contours. They are digging a pit.
It should be slightly larger than the bowl. When working, they are guided by the existing form, measuring ledges and forming similar contours. Figured protrusions are desirable to be repeated with sufficiently high accuracy: so that they find a normal support.
The ledges and the bottom are leveled, rammed, a layer of sand is poured in 5-10 cm, its layer is leveled, but it is not spilled or rammed: under the weight of the bowl, it will compact itself. Having installed the bowl, we notice that there is a gap between its wall and the wall of the pit. We also fill it with sand. But here, it is desirable to compact it. We'll have to do it with a pole or something like that. If the soil drains water well, you can spill the poured sand.
If the container is plastic, with thin walls, and the volume is large, it is better to fill the gap with sand by filling it with water. So you will not be able to deform the walls by ramming the sand too hard.
After that, only the decoration of the side and the arrangement of the slide remain, from which the water will, in fact, fall.
Read about the construction of fountains.
How to make a slide for a waterfall
If you plan to decorate the edges of the waterfall with stones, and you want a high and large hill, along which water flows, you need a solid foundation - a reinforced platform. Without it, the stones will slide into the bowl. Next to the foundation pit for the bowl, the area under the hill is being cleared and reinforced.
Make a standard monolithic slab. First, they dig a pit. Its dimensions should exceed the slide by 40-50 cm in all directions. The pit is dug with a depth of 20-25 cm. Then the following work order:
After the concrete has set (after a couple of weeks), you can start laying out the slide. This procedure is necessary if the height of the slide above ground level is about a meter.
If the waterfall is planned to be small, you can simply remove the soil and pour crushed stone (geotextiles can be laid under it so that the crushed stone does not wash out into the ground). Crushed stone is well compacted, pour a little sand on top, lay out a metal mesh of thick wire. Lay boulders on it, decorate with smaller stones, pebbles, sand, plant plants. It will turn out kind of with a waterfall.
With a small height of the waterfall, you can do without concreting the site
There is a second option - to make a cascade-type waterfall using the height difference on the site. Even a small, a few degrees, slope will greatly facilitate the task: steps are formed on the slope, laying stones in the form of slabs. If there is no slope, you will have to pour an earthen hill, carefully compacting each layer, not forgetting to form ledges. Polymer mesh can be used to reinforce slopes. It is spread out, covered with earth. It will keep the soil from slipping.
A film is spread on the formed ledges, which is pressed against the channel by stones. They need to be laid out so that the water from this stone falls into another, and not onto the film. And then - the matter of registration
When forming a slide for a waterfall, it is advisable to fasten the stones together, at least large, central, with a cement-sand mortar (for 1 part of Portland cement, 3 parts of sand and 0.5-0.7 of water).
Pump installation
The pump for the waterfall in the country or in the area near the house is selected according to two parameters: the height to which it can raise water, and its performance.
With height, everything is more or less clear: it should be no less than the height difference in your homemade waterfall. The difference is measured from the bottom of the tank (the pump will stand there) and to the point where it should raise it. In small domestic ponds, it rarely exceeds 1.5-2 meters. But still, keep track of this indicator.
The performance of the pump shows how much water it can pump per minute. The power of the stream depends on this indicator.
Submersible pumps are used in such reservoirs. They are placed on the bottom, installed in a basket with stones, or simply crushing the body with several boulders. He takes water from the tank, feeding it into a hose that is attached to the outlet pipe. This hose and lay to the place where the water will run.
To be able to pull out the hose, a plastic pipe of a decent diameter is built into the slide. So that you can easily lower the rubber sleeve into it.
It is better to put the pump in the basket. It works well with clean water, and your waterfall may contain leaves, all sorts of midges, dust and other contaminants inevitably get there. And the basket, or rather, the box, can be covered with several layers of filters of different densities. First - a fine mesh, and then something more dense, at least the same geotextile. This filter will trap major contaminants.
After installing this equipment, filling it with water and starting it up, you can consider the waterfall to be built with your own hands. There remains such a "trifle" as the design of the coast.
How to make a flat stream
If you want it not to be a jet, but a wide stream of water, you will have to install another container at the top of the hill, but already rectangular. One of its edges should be lower than the other.
There are such special containers, but you can make them from any one by cutting off the edge and making a flat tray from which water will flow like a wall.
dry waterfall
You have probably already seen the mysterious waterfalls without a bowl into which it falls. Flowing down the ledges, she disappears somewhere. This is not a waterfall pond. No reservoir is visible.
Of course, there is a container for collecting water. She's just in disguise. It turns out a kind of "dry" waterfall. To make it, perhaps, is no more difficult than the usual one.
The container is also dug in: into the pit. Only from above it is covered with a metal mesh with a small cell (preferably stainless steel). If the dimensions of the container are large, you can put reinforcement bars or wooden blocks on the sides as a base (do not forget to soak so as not to rot).
A smaller one is spread on a metal mesh, a polymer one is also suitable. It will detain more or less large pollution. Small stones are laid on top, decorating this device. So it turns out that the water falls under the ground ...
decorative waterfalls
There is not always a place for such a massive structure, spanning several meters. And a small waterfall can be placed near, gazebos, in your favorite corner of the garden. Such decorative devices require very low-power pumps, such as aquarium ones.
Any suitable container can be used as the housing. Up to ceramic and even plastic pots. They are stacked one on top of the other. The lower one must be sealed, but the upper one depends on the design.
In the variant in the photo above, a small pump is placed in the lower, largest vessel. It is covered with a plastic cover. The diameter is chosen so that the plastic becomes 3-5 cm below the edge and can be closed with small pebbles. Numerous holes are made in this cover (with a drill). They also make a hole in the middle for the tube that will come from the pump.
Make a similar hole in the center of the other two containers. They are assembled like a children's pyramid, and the tube that comes from the pump serves as its center. So that the design does not turn out to be very heavy, a plastic liner is inserted into each of the pots. it is covered with small pebbles. Pour water into the resulting pyramid, turn on the pump. A small soda fountain is ready.
Moreover, this technology can be used to make small home waterfalls. For example, this one will look great on the balcony.
Another version of a garden waterfall in a different style
By the same principle, you can make waterfalls in a different way. The principle is the same. In the largest tank we mask the pump. We feed the tube or hose up.
Home floor waterfall on glass
Water flowing down the glass looks great in the interior. In modern apartments, the problem of dry air is relevant. And such a device is a great way to increase humidity without using humidifiers. It is not difficult to make such a waterfall with your own hands. The design is simple and looks great. You need a sealed tray. You can find some plastic container. Make a frame in size, inside which, on one side, pass the tube from the pump. In the upper part, the tube is attached to the frame, numerous holes are made in it.
Soak wooden elements with tinted wood oil. It perfectly protects from moisture and gives a great look.
It is possible to make such an installation hermetic. The work is a little more difficult, but also doable. It is necessary to make the frame wider, with the possibility of fixing the second glass. First, one glass panel is mounted, hoses are laid, and after a test run, a second glass can be installed. Tightness is achieved with a sealant. Just take neutral silicone (acrylic quickly turns yellow).
Do-it-yourself waterfall: photo design ideas
