Garden Fountains - How to Install Them

Planning

The first task you should do is carefully plan how and where you are going to install your garden fountains. The first part of the planning phase is to consider the area/dimension of your garden, patio or decking area and the maximum size fountain which the space could comfortably hold without it looking out of place or obtrusive. If you buy your garden fountain too large then it will dominate the space and look unsightly, and on the other hand if it is too small then it will have little impact and reduce the pleasure and relaxation which they offer. If you can visualise the space with a garden fountain in place then this will give you some idea of the size which may be suitable for the area. Make sure you have considered all areas of the garden and have chosen somewhere which will give you maximum impact, in general you want to be able to see and hear the water fountain from areas where you spend the most time, this can be the patio area or where you tend to sit down and relax.

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Research

Next it is important you do some research into the different types of garden fountains which you can purchase. There are lots of different styles, shapes and designs so taking some time out to choose the one that is right for you and one which will fit into your current garden design are very important. As mentioned previously there are lots of different types of which we have named just a few here, natural, tiered, ornamental, hanging, pot, standing and ball feature garden fountains. If you have a pond and you are looking for a centre piece then you will likely choose a different one from if you were to have one for your decking area.

Position

This has been touched on briefly and there are a number of questions which are commonly asked as to where the garden fountains can be placed in the garden. The first and most common question is can they be added as a centre piece for a pond? The answer is, yes, they can be used as a centre piece but always consult with the provider first as different cabling may be required for the pumps. Another popular question is, are water fountains provided with a pump? Again, yes, all manufacturers will always supply a garden fountain with a built in pump

Installation & Maintenance

This is very simple indeed; the garden fountains take very little in terms of maintenance and even less in terms of installation. If you have researched and planned as discussed within the article then you will know exactly where your fountain will be positioned and it will simply be a question of just moving it into position and connecting the pump into the mains. Once the garden fountain is up and running then every so often check the pump and clean if needed and you will enjoy the benefits of your fountain for years to come.

Garden Fountains - How to Install Them

Chris Courtis is a writer for Ethan Paul Fountains who are a provider of high quality Garden Fountains

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Garden Water Fountains and Safety for Kids

Just because you have children or frequent visits from children doesn't mean you can't have a lovely garden pool or a water fountain complete with safety for kids. Consider something like a garden fountain surrounded with stones that has no pooling water in which a little one can come to harm.

Safety for Kids is a Valid Concern

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One of the biggest concerns about water gardening or a water fountain is the safety of kids. A toddler can drown in just an inch of water or in a partly filled 5-gallon bucket. No wonder that parents, grandparents, and neighbors are fearful around any kind of garden fountain. No garden fountain can be made absolutely childproof, but there are a number of ways you can make yours safer. Shallow pools and garden fountains designed for safety and have strategically placed boulders, and fencing help children and garden fountains to coexist with less worry. Of course, you should never leave children unattended even around shallow water or the most carefully designed water feature.

No Garden Water Fountain is Childproof

Keep in mind that safety for kids is dependent somewhat on age-a garden that is safe for older children may not be safe for toddlers. You may feel confident that a 5-year-old is safe near a half-whiskey-barrel tub garden, but don't expect an 18-month-old to be.

Even 8-and 9-year-olds should be supervised near garden water fountains that have 3 feet or more of water. It's a mistake to believe you can create a large pond and train children to stay away from it. The same attractions that draw adults to splashing water, pretty fish, and the joy of dangling a hand in cool water also entice the best-behaved children. And even well trained children have friends or neighbors who will be drawn to your garden fountain.

Although you should make sure your homeowner's insurance will cover a water garden fountain accident, the best approach is to design the garden water fountain with safety for kids in mind so that tragedy doesn't happen in the first place.

Fencing Ensures Safety for Kids Around Garden Water Fountains

A fence, as long as it surrounds the pool and has a childproof or locked gate allows you to have peace of mind with any kind of water garden that you want. Pretty picket fencing, 6-foot privacy fencing, and stucco or adobe walls-all can keep young visitors out of harm's way. However, before building a fence, check your local building codes. Your community may require a certain type of fencing.

Depth

By controlling the depth of your garden water fountain, keeping it to an inch or less, you can improve its safety. Fill fountain gardens and tub gardens with attractive stones so a child's face cannot be submerged.

Height

Fountains can be made relatively safe by building the bottom tiers too high for toddlers to tip into; walls should be at least 2l/i to 3 feet. Similarly, a wall fountain is a less likely threat if its basin is higher than a toddler's head. Above ground pools will be similarly safe if you build the sides too tall for small children to climb onto.

Edging

every garden water pool will have an edge of some material and if it's made of stone, brick, slate, or concrete, it will get slippery, from water or from algae growth. This is not good for the safety of kid's around a garden water fountain.

Edging around an in-ground pool creates a path that beckons children to walk around or balance on. It's better to use turf or edging that blends with surrounding materials to make the contours of the pool less inviting as a play area.

Placement

The placement of your garden water fountain also will affect its safety. Don't locate it just outside the back door; small children can slip out easily and unnoticed and into the water. On the other hand, if you position the pool far away from the house or out of sight, you won't be able to supervise older children.

A garden fountain by the deck is striking (and an increasingly popular addition), but it could be dangerous in homes where small children live or where they will be frequent visitors.
For additional safety, install a floating alarm (designed for swimming pools) in your garden water fountain basin. The alarm will sound if the water surface is disturbed. Consider constructing a shallow reflecting pool, a millstone fountain on a mound of river rock, or a shallow stream. Fill fountains and tub gardens with attractive stones so a child's face cannot be submerged at any point.

Garden Water Fountains and Safety for Kids

Elizabeth Jean writes water fountain and related articles for Garden-Fountains.com, the #1 destination on the internet for wall fountains, garden fountains, and Distinctive Water Features.

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Types of Garden Fountains

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You can choose from many different types of garden fountains while looking for something to add to the beauty of your garden. You can pick your fountains from ones made of stone, marble, granite, metals, ceramic, terracotta, fiberglass and more. They can be as small or large as you want. And they are cheap, easy to maintain, and can magically change the appearance of the garden or lawn.

Based On Materials

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Garden fountains are made of many different types of materials. They are listed below:-

• Stone: Stone is durable and can weather extreme temperatures, rain, and snow. The stones used include granite, slate, and even marble. Marble, however, suffers under pollution and acid rain.
• Resin: Resin can be molded into many shapes, creating spectacular effects. You must be careful to buy good quality, as painted resins do not last long in harsh weather.
• Fiberglass: Fiberglass fountains are among the most popular, for indoor as well as outdoor use. If you are looking for compact, modern fountains for your patio or garden, this is a good option.
• Concrete: Concrete fountains go well with any kind of garden setting. They are available in small as well as large sizes.
• Metal: Metals such as bronze and copper are also used for making small garden fountains. Their use is restricted though, because metal corrodes easily due to moisture and pollution.

Based On Design

Garden fountains are available in many designs and styles. Some of the basic categories are listed below:-

• Natural: These fountains are made of natural materials such as stone and shell. Some stones are used as the decorative figurine without any finishing touches, adding to the natural charm of the setting.
• Ornamental: These fountains stand out, thanks to their showy attractiveness. Ornamental fountains can be used as a standalone piece in your garden, or add to the beauty of a garden pool.
• Pot Fountains: Pot fountains are one of the simplest yet most attractive designs. Pots of various shapes and colors are used for creating a playful water feature. Alternatively, you can even use bowls of ceramic to create a tiered look on a small scale. These fountains are easy to maintain and cost effective.
• Wall fountains: If your garden has a stone or concrete structure, you can use a wall fountain to touch up the bare wall. These wall fountains are compact and easy to maintain. They are also safe as they are out of the reach of children once mounted high on a wall.
• Tiered fountains: Go for this design if you have a large garden. Tiered fountains take up more space than simple statuary fountains. The steps create a ripple effect of water and look best in the center of the garden.

Garden fountains should be able to stand climatic extremes and add to the natural beauty of the garden. The types of garden fountains that you select must depend on a number of factors such as surroundings, plants, safety, maintenance and price.

Types of Garden Fountains

Apurva writes for Ethan Paul Fountains, a leading retailer of garden fountains and wall mounted fountains. For more information about different types of fountains visit www.soothingwalls.com.