A fountain constructed of rocks can provide the appearance of water bubbling up through a spring.
If you're looking for a project that can enhance the landscaping in your yard, installing a rock fountain can be the answer. Constructing a fountain built out of large rocks is a project that a do-it-yourself homeowner can complete herself, and adds a touch of natural beauty to the yard. Many people find the sound of water flowing gently over rocks to be relaxing. It can enhance the sounds of nature in your yard, such as birds chirping and the wind blowing through the trees.
Instructions
1. Choose the location for the fountain. The fountain needs to be in a location that is in close proximity to an exterior electrical outlet. It also must be big enough to contain the basin that holds the water for the fountain.
2. Dig the hole for the fountain's basin. Make the hole 2 inches deeper than the height of the basin and slightly larger than the length and width of the basin.
3. Dig a trench that runs from the hole to the location of the outlet. The trench needs to be 3 inches deep and wide enough to fit the PVC pipe that will act as the conduit for the pump's electrical cord.
4. Measure and cut PVC pipe to fit inside the trench. Use a hacksaw to make the cuts. If you need to join separate lengths of PVC pipe, connect them with PVC sleeves glued together with PVC cement.
5. Add a 2-inch layer of gravel into the bottom of the hole for the basin. Level the gravel out and tamp it down. Put the basin into the pit on top of the gravel.
6. Tie or tape a metal washer to a string and slide the string through the PVC pipe. When the washer gets through the other end, remove the washer from the string and tie or tape the plug for the pump to the string. Pull the electrical cord through the PVC pipe by pulling the string through the other end, then remove the string from the plug.
7. Lay the pipe into the trench, then fill the trench with dirt.
8. Place the pump in the center of the basin, positioned with the outlet hole pointing straight up in the air.
9. Lay a fiberglass or aluminum screen on the ground directly over the basin. Draw a 1-inch-wide circle on the screen, over the pump's outlet hole. Cutting the section out of the screen allows the pipe from the pump to carry water to the top of the fountain.
10. Remove the screen from the ground. Cut out the hole marked by the 1-inch circle, as well as a flap in the side of the screen big enough to fit your hands through so you can access the pump after the fountain has been assembled.
11. Cut a 4-inch piece of copper pipe with a pipe cutter.
12. Detach the fittings from one side of a 1/2-inch ball valve. Attach the copper pipe to the ball valve and tighten the nut on the ball valve to lock the pipe in place. The ball valve allows you to control the rate of water flow when the fountain is operating.
13. Connect the 4-inch long copper pipe to the other end of the ball valve and tighten the nut on the ball valve.
14. Connect the threaded adapter to the pump by screwing it on. Attach the copper pipe assembly to the other end of the threaded adapter and tighten the nuts with a wrench. Use the side of the assembly with the 4-inch copper pipe.
15. Put the pump into the center of the basin, positioned with the pipe assembly sticking straight up in the air.
16. Slide the screen over the pipe, using the 1-inch circular hole. Set the screen so the flap is over the electrical cord.
17.Measure and cut four pieces of composite decking that fit over the basin hole, with 3 inches to spare on each side. Lay the decking over the screen. Keep the pieces of decking spaced evenly apart, but don't cover the flap.
18. Drill holes in the center of all of the stones. This enables you to slide the large flat stones over the copper pipe when you construct the main body of the fountain. Use a hammer drill with a 5/8-inch masonry drill bit. Drill through the stones slowly. Pour water on the drill bit and stone about once per minute to keep them cool and prevent the rock from cracking. Wear safety goggles when doing this.
19. Slide the stones over the copper pipe and onto the composite decking. Adjust and balance the rocks as you add them to make the fountain more stable. After you stack the last rock, mark the edge of the rock on the copper pipe.
20. Remove the top rock from the stack. Cut the pipe 1/4-inch beneath the mark, and place the top rock back onto the stack. This keeps the copper pipe hidden from view, giving the appearance that the water is coming straight through the rocks.
21. Fill the basin with water until it is 5 inches higher than the pump. Open the ball valve and turn on the pump. Adjust the ball valve until the water is flowing at the rate you want. Turn off the pump.
22. Apply clear silicone adhesive into the gaps between the rocks and allow the adhesive to dry for the time specified on the packaging.
23. Lay small stones on the screen to help camouflage it.
