DIY fountains can be a lot of fun and help to add a personal touch to areas in and around your home. When working on a DIY fountain or water feature project, here are a few things to avoid.
1. Wrong Pump Size: Pumps are rated in terms of flow rate, usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM) although sometimes gallons per hour (GPH) is used, and pressure which is usually measured in PSI or Feet of Head. In a typical fountain application, a pump that provides a high flow rate at a lower pressure is used. It is important to know the elevation from where the pump will be pumping the water from to the highest discharge point on the water feature. If this information is not accurate, the pump can be sized improperly. A pump that does not fit the application properly will cause problems for the owner down the road. In addition to using more power an improperly sized pump will cause the water feature to give a less than desirable “show”.
2. Instability: Water is heavy. Make sure that your structure is on a level surface, that the surface can support your structure and the weight of the water, and that the structure is assembled securely.
3. Leakage: Flexible liners work really well for helping to prevent leakage. Choose a liner that is UV protected so that it maintains its strength for at least several years. Think about splash as well. Fountains can splash, and indoors that means that the surrounding areas can become damp or spotted by water.
Creating a DIY Fountain? Get the assistance and advice you need from WP Law, Inc. at www.wplawinc.com/corporate-contact.
