How to Add a Waterfall to a Swim Pond
22 Aug 2019 Landscape Design
Natural swim ponds are growing in popularity due to their low maintenance requirements, health benefits, and natural beauty. With the right tools and expertise, you can turn your swim pond into a high-class oasis. At Fontana Landscapes, they have experience with the installation and alteration of swim ponds, and they know how to add a waterfall to a swim pond to improve its beauty and value.
Adding a Waterfall to an Existing Swim Pond
Waterfalls can add personality and beauty to nearly any pool or swim pond and the sound of cascading water can create an incredibly soothing ambience. If you are interested in adding a waterfall to your existing swim pond, you should first consult a pond expert to be sure that the waterfall will not interfere with the natural ecosystem of the water feature, as well as to ensure that you take drainage and pumping into account. Once you are confident with these factors and you have settled on the placement of the waterfall, adhere to these steps to install your new feature:
1. Waterfall Placement
When deciding on pump placement, take into account the location of your plant shelf to ensure that you are aiding their growth and not disrupting their natural habitat. Spray from a waterfall can offer humidity to tropical plants, but it can also disrupt water and force nutrients away from other plants. Make sure you strategize accordingly.
2. Patch into the Pump Outflow
Before building anything else, you will need to locate and patch into your pump’s outflow pipes. Alternatively, you could divert some of the outflow right at the pump itself and install a valve that will allow you to turn the waterfall on and off. Make sure that you speak to a plumber or pond installer about how to properly accomplish this step for your particular pump.
3. Build the Waterfall
Most waterfalls for swim ponds will require some kind of masonry to construct. Whether you are using brick, stone, tile, or any other material, this stage will involve designing and constructing the waterfall, which can be the most time consuming part of the waterfall project. If the waterfall uses a basin that overflows to form the waterfall, do not construct the basin until after the pipes leading through the waterfall have been installed.
4. Plumb the Waterfall
Lay the pipes that lead from the pump to the waterfall and plumb them in. Set up the piping that will run through the waterfall structure and insulate and bury the pipes.
5. Finish the Waterfall
Complete any work that needs to be done on the waterfall. This includes any final touches to the basin and masonry, as well as sealing the entire exterior to prevent water from penetrating it and causing mould or erosion.
If you are interested in learning more about how to add a waterfall to a swim pond, or if you have any questions about their services, please contact Fontana Landscapes by filling out a contact form on their website and they will get back to you.
