One of the best ways to add interest and beauty to any outdoor space is to include a tranquil water feature such as a fountain.
The best part is that you can make your own DIY water fountain by following a few key steps.
In fact, here’s an easy-to-follow guide that you can use to make your own DIY water fountain today!
- Seal All Drainage Holes
The first thing you need to do is to get an outdoor pot made from ceramic, with dimensions of 19-1/4-inch. Put it face down and use a file to smooth the rough edges in preparation for the rubber plugs.
Speaking of which, you also want to cover each plug with silicone caulk before you push the ends into the holes.
Make sure that there’s at least ¼ of each plug hanging out of the holes before you seal the holes.
- Install a Quality Water Pump
Next, take a 5-gallon plastic bucket and put it face down as well, then drill holes into it using a 3/8-inch drill bit.
Thereafter, use a utility knife to cut holes in the bottom of the bucket. Make sure the hole is large enough to fit a power cord.
Then, put the bucket into the pot, making sure that it’s facing down before you place the water pump onto the bucket.
Put the cord and the plug through the bucket hole and use a measuring instrument to determine the cord length once you’ve put both the cord and plug through the hole.
- Thread the Cord of the Pump
Now it’s time to turn the pot sideways after removing the bucket.
Then, put the cord and plug through the hole on the bottom of the pot and make a mark on the cord so that it’s the right length. Then, put the pot facedown while making sure that the cord is still sticking out.
- Seal the Power Cord
Now we’re getting into the weeds of what makes outdoor water fountains work effectively.
The next step is to drill a hole right through the rubber plug that measures 3/8-inches. Then use a utility knife to make a long slit that goes from the top to the bottom of the plug.
You’re going to have to put the cord through this slit and then caulk the slit afterward before putting it through the remaining hole. You should also caulk any exposed edges on the cord opening and plug.
- Set the Pot
You’re not ready to put the fountain pot in your desired spot.
Just make sure to dig a tunnel in the soil through which the cord that goes and it might be a good idea to put two rectangular-shaped paving stones on the ground before you set the pot.
Then, leave space between the pavers to fit the cord through and make sure that the plastic bucket is facedown before you put the pump on top of it.
- Fill the Pot
Now, what you want to do is to get another plastic bucket that you’ll drill multiple holes on the sides and bottom of.
Get some pretty river rock and fill the bucket up with it and then proceed to rinse them under running water to get rid of any dust and debris.
Then, take the clean rocks and pour them into the pot. Do this again until the rocks are covering the area two inches below the rim.
The last thing you need to do is make sure that the pump spout is correctly aligned before you attach the spray nozzle.