How to Install a Large Water Feature

If you are looking to purchase and install a large water feature at your home or business, we strongly recommend that you employ the services of a professional landscape company. Installation of large-scale water features involves large, heavy stones that requires the use of heavy machinery that is best handled by professionals and experienced landscapers.

The following directions have been put together for professional landscapers in order to successfully install a large water feature. Important Note: We strongly advise you to call 811 before you dig to locate any underground utility lines. Simply call 811 on your phone at least two days before you plan to dig so that local authorities have time to come out and check the area.

- As with any water feature installation, choosing the best location is important. Don’t forget to factor in that with any size water feature there will be oversplash that occurs. It’s a good idea to consider the prevailing winds and choose a location not heavily affected by the wind if possible. Also, because you’re dealing with very heavy stones and boulders, be sure that the ground is well prepared and able to withstand the weight of the stones.

- Once the desired location has been determined, you need to put the pond underlayment and liner in place. Due to the need to use large equipment to aid in setting the fountain or water feature pieces into place, you do not want to build a berm around the perimeter of the pond just yet. You also do not want to dig the hole just yet for the valve box. Do not trim the liner – wait.

- Setting the fountain rocks is a bit time consuming and is best handled with the help several people. You will need to use a front-end loader, excavator, or better yet, a skid steer with fork attachments on the front in order to lift and place the fountain pieces into place. Be sure to use good solid, foundation pieces to ensure that the taller fountain/water feature pieces do not sink. Also be sure to have a pry bar or two nearby along with several smaller pieces of stone that can be used as shims to level out the feature pieces.

-Installing the valve box, pump and plumbing. Once the large stone pieces are set in place, it’s now time to select the location for the valve box and dig the hole for it. Be sure to roll the underlayment out of the way, dig the hole, roll the underlayment back over the hole and then push the pond underlayment, liner, and valve box into the hole. You also want to go finish making all of the necessary plumbing connects for the water feature. At this point you also need to go ahead and build the berm around the outside edge of the water feature. The berm is designed to retain the water for your pond. Make sure the berm stays within the size of the pond liner. Do not trim the excess pond liner away just yet.

- Fill-up the pond with water, plug in the pump, and check to see that water is running out of the feature properly. Now that the water is running, you can estimate the splash area and determine the final shape of the pond and how your customer wants it to look. Make sure the liner covers the entire diameter of the pond or water will leak out. After you are sure of the size and depth of the pond, you can trim any excess liner that hangs past the berm of the pond. Once the final shape of the water feature has been determined, you can begin decorating it with your customer’s favorite stone. We always recommend thoroughly rinsing any decorative rock before installing into a feature.

-Your customer’s water feature is now complete. We also stock a variety of driftwood and boulders that would make excellent additions to any pond or water feature.

Here is another great example of a large, finished water feature for another satisfied customer:

We hope these instructions will be useful for landscaping professionals who tackle the job of installing Bedrock’s larger water features. With the proper equipment and experience, installing these large water features is a straightforward project. The reward is creating a visually striking centerpiece for your customer’s landscape that they will be able to enjoy for many years.

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