The way to Build a Large Outdoor Fountain



A large ornamental fountain adds the soothing tones of running water to your lawn (San Diego, CA). You can create a massive fountain custom designed for your space and landscape with a large glazed ceramic pot or a container especially made for fountain use. These simple fountains can supply a year-round attribute in frost-free climates in which the water doesn’t freeze in winter. Construct the fountain at the place you plan to place it, because a massive fountain isn’t easy to move once it’s constructed.

Turn the fountain container upside down. Plug all but one drainage hole at the base using rubber drainage plugs, if relevant. Apply silicone sealant onto the edges of the plugs and push the narrow end to the holes, so the wider end still protrudes slightly. Run a bead of sealant around the outside of the plugs to additional seal the drainage holes against escapes.

Decide on a 5-gallon bucket upside down. Drill four 3/8-inch holes in the bucket bottom for an equal distance apart and about 2 inches in from the edge. Dill additional holes to the sides of the bucket, placing them at 2-inch periods. Cut a 2-inch square hole at the center of the bucket underside with a utility knife.

Run the fountain cord through the square hole in the bucket, so the fountain pump and nozzle are on the cover of the bucket. Pass the plug end of the cord through the rest drainage hole at the fountain container bottom, passing it from the interior of the container through the outside.

Drill a 3/8-inch hole through the rubber plug to the rest of the hole in the container bottom. Cut a slit in the face of the plug halfway through the center hole, using a utility knife. Push it in the slit from the plug so the cord passes through the center of the plug. Seal the slit with the silicone, and thrust it in the drainage hole. Seal the outside of the rubber plug with extra sealant. Permit all sealant to dry for 24 hours before adding water.

Turn the fountain container right side up. Put the upside down bucket inside the fountain container and center the fountain pump and nozzle on top the bucket. Based on the height of container, place bricks under the bucket to elevate it until the cover of the fountain nozzle sets 1 to 2 inches over the container’s rim.

Fill the fountain container with decorative rocks until the surface of the bucket is totally covered and camouflaged by the stones. Just the fountain nozzle should protrude above the stones.