My wife and I thought for a long time how to organize a rest corner next to our newly built house. We figured out that we would make a fountain and place tables and a bench next to it. We purchased all concrete parts at an internet auction. The goods were delivered within a few days. All that was left was to build the base of the fountain, glue the individual elements together and paint the whole thing.
Building a fountain step by step
- In the beginning, I prepared the ground. I marked a circle with a diameter of 3 m with stakes (about 80 cm more than in the case of the pool, to have a reserve for the sidewalk around the fountain). Then I chose the soil to a depth of approx.10 cm, and in the center of the circle - where the weight of the structure was supposed to rest - 20 cm.
- At this stage of the work, I also thought about the place to hide the pump. At the base of the fountain, I made a 25x30x30 cm hole with boards. From there, I led a half-inch hose to the center of the fountain base. It reached all the way to its tip. I also led the second hose outside (in case I ever wanted to connect an additional cascade) and a stiff tube. The electric cable supplying the pump from the hermetic box located outside the plinth runs through it.
- Then I prepared a reinforcement that strengthens the foundation and prevents cracks in the concrete. For this, I used a special wire mesh. Finally, I was able to make a concrete screed.
- I waited a few days for the mortar to set and proceeded to build the fountain basin. First, I dry-stacked the individual parts to fit them together. Then I glued them together with a flexible, frost-resistant tile adhesive.When the joint was dry, I filled it with a grout for ceramic tiles. Then, in the center of the pool, I installed the main part of the fountain. After the glue had dried, I painted it on the outside with facade paint, and on the inside - with a chemically resistant two-component emulsion.
- In order to achieve the effect of an antique building, my wife and I painted the exterior of the fountain and the pool black. Later, with a brush dipped in white paint and a board-worn brush, we rubbed the undercoat lightly. The effect is amazing.
- Finally, around the poured base of the fountain, protruding beyond the pool, I placed a wooden palisade. Near the cascade, I put a concrete block under the table and benches. I covered the foil around it and poured river gravel and colored grit on it. The whole thing is also covered with a wooden palisade.
- The only thing left is to connect the fountain pump. I chose the one with a lifting height of 1.8 m and a power of 30 W. I put it in the previously prepared hole. I led the electric cable outside the fountain through a pipe.I connected it to a box with a buried three-core cable (230 V) from the home wiring. The cable outlet is sealed with silicone.
When I finally did my dress rehearsal, the kids were delighted. My wife and I also felt proud. Now we have a great, dream rest corner, and the satisfaction with the work done by ourselves is enormous. I will not mention the savings on assembly costs by professionals. Our fountain has a timer to control its running time, so I don't have to think about turning it on and off.
Grzegorz Mazur
