Home waterfalls. Decorative waterfalls and fountains in the interior

An invariable attribute of a private home is the garden. Long avenues of trees or several square meters land occupied by ornamental vegetation - bushes, flower beds, lawns and alpine slides. What is a garden without a small pond?

To decorate your garden plot, specialists landscape design increasingly used artificial ponds and waterfalls. After all, the quiet splash of water and the mirror-like surface of a small reservoir attract much more attention than the usual curbs and flower beds encased in asphalt.

Even four and a half thousand years ago, the ancient Incas and Chinese began to make ponds in their gardens, and later began to populate them with living creatures and install various decorations, for example: a small aqueduct, an artificial waterfall, a fountain or a babbling brook channel. Aquatic plants are also not deprived of attention - they are one of the main elements of a pond or small waterfall. All together: stones, plants and water create an original, original corner that is as reminiscent of the natural environment as possible.

Elements of an artificial waterfall

Nowadays, there are more and more garden ponds, because technical innovations have appeared that make it as simple as possible. construction process and create a waterfall for your home with your own hands. A variety of accessories, ready-made plastic molds, pumps, lamps, both stationary and floating on the water, and much more allow you to independently create the most real pond in miniature. Animals, fish, plants, decorative bottom - all this will help to create a real fairy tale in the garden.

Or maybe the garden needs a small pool? Then you simply cannot do without a waterfall! The murmur of water helps you relax and recuperate after a hot summer day and working in your garden. At the same time, the artificial waterfall does not allow the water to overheat, and it always remains cooler than in the entire reservoir. This occurs due to the fact that water circulates using a pump and flows through pipes buried underground.

Many, having seen something similar from friends, relatives or just neighbors, are wondering how to make an artificial waterfall as wonderful as the one they saw? If everything is weighed and the decision is made, then you can start working. The process of its construction is not as complicated as it might initially seem.

Materials for an outdoor waterfall

Basic materials needed to create an artificial waterfall:

• sand;
• quartzite;
• pebbles;
• cement;
• waterproofing mixture;
• adhesive construction mixture;
• primer;
• fiberglass;
• water pump.

Waterfall construction

The first step is to decide on the choice of location for the future waterfall. This must be done even if there is already a ready-made pond or pool. It is necessary to plan in advance where the decorative artificial waterfall will be placed - in an open area or next to trees, near the wall of a house or between flower beds. It is very important to pay attention to the features of the relief in time - an inclined surface is required. If there is no ready-made slope, and the chosen location is excellent in other respects, then you will have to make the embankment yourself. At the same time, there should be no pits, tubercles or other irregularities on it.

The basis of the waterfall is two small reservoirs. If there is no ready-made pond or pool, you will have to install two containers. These can be either plastic forms or dense waterproof material that will be laid at the bottom of the pit. One of the main nuances on at this stage is that the upper “bowl” should be at least half the volume of the lower one. The waterfall itself and streams can be laid out from ready-made blocks purchased in the store or you can find them yourself necessary elements among natural materials.

When the pits are ready, their bottom must be thoroughly cleaned of roots, pebbles and possible debris to obtain a fairly smooth surface.

After this, the channel must be filled with sand or fiberglass. In this case, the thickness of the layer should be at least four centimeters. Next, you need to make an insulating layer - pour a new layer of synthetic rubber. Thus, the base reservoirs will form a single whole with the waterfall. A cement frame is applied to the waterproofing layer, to which all other elements will be attached. Next, you need to make holes for the pipes through which water will be supplied, and let the structure settle for two to three days. You can follow the process illustrated in the photo: a waterfall at home can be made by a person who is not familiar with the basics of construction.

It is better to make the main descent of the waterfall in several steps - it looks much more impressive. To create a stepped structure, you first need to make a wooden base and fix it to the mortar. Steps must be installed starting from the bottom of the future waterfall.

To ensure the functionality of the waterfall, a pump with a power of at least seventy watts is required. The pump itself must be placed under the lower reservoir, and the hoses must be routed to the upper one. The water flow rate can be adjusted by changing the power of the unit.

Particular care must be taken with the power source! It must be placed no closer than one and a half meters from the structure, carefully covered with waterproof material and protected from accidental mechanical damage. You should also think in advance about the easiest way to remove the pump. This must be done before frost sets in, otherwise the remaining water in the pump will freeze and rupture its housing.

waterfall decoration

The steps of the waterfall are laid out with tiles decorated to resemble natural stone, and the edges of the reservoirs must be lined with large stones. It is recommended to fill the bottom with pebbles. The same can be done between the enclosing stones, and for reliability, cover the cracks with a waterproof solution.

The artificial waterfall, the photo of which is posted below, has several cascades through which water flows. A waterfall with such a design looks much more impressive. When first started, the water will be dirty and cloudy - this is due to recent construction work. There is no need to worry: after a while everything will recover on its own and the water will become crystal clear, unless any foreign materials or impurities were used during construction. If everything is satisfactory, then you need to trim and carefully mask the edges of the underlying waterproof material.

As was said at the very beginning, best jewelry- natural. Therefore, you should not get carried away with installing artificial plantings near a pond, but rather plant ornamental plants next to it. It is better to choose moisture-loving varieties.

If you equip the pump with a special filter, the waterfall can be “inhabited” with various living creatures. Unpretentious fish, turtles, and mollusks will thrive in artificial reservoirs. Before introducing animals into a pond, you need to listen to the advice of a consultant from a pet store about which animals can be in such a waterfall.

Artificial waterfall for home

A special type of such structures is a mini waterfall for a house or apartment. You can buy it at some specialized store, or you can make a waterfall for your home with your own hands. But the first option is much simpler, because such decorative elements often do not require serious assembly. Such a waterfall will look very impressive in an office, attracting the views of the company's clients, and in an apartment it is better to place it in the wealth zone - in the south-eastern part of the home.

To build a small artificial waterfall with your own hands, you will need:

• large plastic bottle (5 l);
• plastic cake tray;
• pallet;
• polyurethane foam;
• small pump + tubes for it;
• liquid Nails;
• spray paint:
• pebbles, shells, etc.;
• small plant;
• LEDs, batteries, wires;
• skillful fingers.

How to create a decorative waterfall for your home from improvised materials, without buying a ready-made one in a store? If you follow simple recommendations, you can make a waterfall at home with your own hands without extra costs.

The bottle must be cut and left at a height of 10-15 cm. Next, it must be glued to a plastic tray and the entire structure must be filled with polyurethane foam, from which the relief will be formed. When the foam has completely hardened, you need to model a small slide and the bed of a waterfall. The optimal height of the structure should be 20-25 cm. It is necessary to place a pump in the lower reservoir and stretch the tubes to the top of the simulated slide, where the first “lake” will be placed. Lay out the slope of the hill with pebbles and coat the gaps between them liquid nails. This must be done with the riverbed as well. Next, you can form additional grooves for water drainage and install the entire structure in a tray, having previously decorated it with spray paint and, if desired, drawn patterns. After this, you can decorate the slide and the entire waterfall with shells and stones at your discretion. If desired, you can install lighting on the artificial waterfall in the apartment.

Thus, you can make an artificial waterfall, the price of which may vary depending on your desires and capabilities. He will definitely original decoration your garden, home and even office. Now you know how to make a waterfall at home. It's time to get started!

Garden ideas never end for those who love their own paradise in the sun, the official name of which is dacha. In this case, working on the site is a pleasure, an anticipation of the results.

Starting with simple designs, we increasingly complicate the tasks. Although the implementation of the majority only seems difficult. For example, many people think about how to make a beautiful waterfall in their country house with their own hands, and do not even realize that this task is actually very simple.

• Place for a waterfall in the garden
• Aboveground rocky part of the structure
• Plants for a pond with a waterfall

Place for a waterfall in the garden

We arrange the waterfall so that it is clearly visible, because it is illogical to hide such beauty in the thickets of the garden. Usually waterfalls are made in courtyards, not far from the house, next to a recreation area, etc. Inside the garden, in secluded quiet corners, waterfalls are also built, but more often these are small decorative structures.

When arranging a waterfall, be guided by the size of the site. If the area is small, the water structure must be proportionate to it, otherwise harmony cannot be achieved, and what was supposed to be a spectacular decor will look like a pile of stones.

Having a slope makes it easier to grow plants near a waterfall, but if you only have a horizontal area, drainage will be the answer.

The combination of stones and plants will make your waterfall look natural. If you are going to decorate the waterfall with plants, choose an open area. If possible, “expand” the structure towards the south or southeast so that heat-loving plants felt comfortable and developed well.

We start work with planning. First, the waterfall should appear on paper. If you are planning a design large sizes(more than 10 m2), the diagram should be drawn in as much detail as possible, taking into account the paths and platforms adjacent to the reservoir, bridges, large decor, plants, etc.

Base for rocky part

1. We mark out an area on the ground for the rocky part.
2. We remove the soil to a depth of about 40 cm.
3. We fill 1/4 of the depth with stones, crushed stone, pieces of broken brick, etc. We don't use sand-lime brick(attracts moisture) and wood waste (quickly rots).
4. We fill the pit with a mixture of sand and crushed stone - as a result, we get an excellent drainage cushion.
5. We install several large stones.
6. We pour the earth, forming a hill. Add stones to prevent the earth from crumbling. It is advisable to pre-treat the soil with herbicides against weeds.
7. We water and compact each layer of soil.

To construct a rocky structure into which a waterfall will be built, we use any natural stones. You can choose stones that are approximately the same in color and size, or completely different ones to get a mixed picture.

Porous limestone, shell rock, and calcite actively absorb moisture, which is why they collapse. They can be used to decorate a waterfall, but it is advisable that they do not come into contact with water.

If you are making a cascade waterfall, use flat stones.

Construction of a reservoir for a waterfall. Master Class

1. Mark on the ground the shape of the future reservoir. It is convenient to do this with spray paint, although you can simply mark it with a shovel.
2. Dig a hole.
3. If you are making a small reservoir for a waterfall, you can put some kind of container in the hole. For example, an old basin or bathtub. Fill the voids around the container tightly with sand and crushed stone.
4. When building a larger tank, you can simply line the bottom of the pit with film. More difficult option- concrete the hole.
5. Fill the pond with water.
6. We decorate the bowl with stones, visually connecting it with a stone hill from which water will fall.

Design-basis for a small waterfall

We install pumping equipment for a waterfall

Based on the dimensions of the water structure, we purchase pump equipment for a waterfall. How more design, the more power the pump needs.

We direct the hose upward and hide it together with the nozzles between the stones.

Illuminated garden ponds are spectacular. The best solution is flashlights solar powered. To ensure their operation, there is no need to lay electrical cable– the batteries are charged during the day and illuminate the pond with a waterfall at night.

Plants for planting around the waterfall should be chosen from those that are decorative in spring, summer and autumn. Very dwarf spruce, thuja, juniper, etc.

Perennial plants will provide the basis for the floral decoration of the waterfall and will delight the eye for several seasons.

Alpine plants and ground cover form a decorative layer on the stones with the help of shoots.

Apartments with a waterfall in their interiors are distinguished by their originality and sophistication. This design element adds freshness and calms at the same time. But, alas, the cost of a decorative waterfall is prohibitively high, so it is much cheaper to make a waterfall with your own hands. We’ll talk further about the features, recommendations and how to make a waterfall with your own hands.

Air humidity is an indicator not only of the physical comfort of the room, but also the state of the human immune system, since the well-being of the people living in it directly depends on the humidity of the air in the apartment. The optimal humidity level in winter is 60%, and in summer - about 80%.

If the air in the apartment is too dry, microbacteria develop in it, which leads to colds, especially in young children. Therefore, controlling air humidity is a mandatory rule for a healthy family.

If the apartment has a waterfall, a constantly falling stream of water refreshes and humidifies the air. The use of a waterfall also decorates the interior of the room. There are many options for finishing it: installing all kinds of lighting or combinations of lamps that create an amazing holiday atmosphere.

Water - great way reassurance. It relieves fatigue, stress and nervous tension. After looking at the waterfall for a few minutes, a person becomes calmer and more peaceful. The slight noise from the murmur of water allows you to avoid other unpleasant sounds that come from the street or from neighboring apartments.

The presence of a waterfall in the house increases comfortable conditions, protects against diseases, decorates the room and improves well-being. Therefore, building a waterfall with your own hands will bring only positive emotions. The advantage of a homemade waterfall over a purchased one is the ability to choose the size of the structure, the method of finishing it, decoration, and a variety of options for water fall.

Making a decorative waterfall eliminates problems such as splashing water and loud pump noise. In addition, they are very easy to care for.

Recommendations for choosing a decorative waterfall for an apartment

Having decided to buy a waterfall for your home, you should take into account several recommendations that will help you not make a mistake and choose this element in such a way that the waterfall brings only positive emotions to others.

First of all, decide on the type of waterfall, which should fit harmoniously into the overall design of the room.

There are several types of decorative waterfalls:

• waterfalls on glass;
• waterfalls on rocks;
• string waterfalls;
• bubble-panel waterfalls.

First, let's deal with glass waterfalls. Before choosing such a waterfall, you should accurately determine its location. There are several options for making this waterfall. Firstly, the glass waterfall is installed near the wall, but separately from it. In this case, it does not take up much space. To build such a waterfall, you should decide on the design of its racks and their finishing. If the height of such a waterfall exceeds 2 m, special clamps should be installed to prevent the structure from tipping over. The design options for the decorative part, which is located next to the wall, are also different. It is possible to order regular glass, but at a time when the waterfall will not work, the wallpaper or wall decoration will be visible. It is better to choose a decorative film that depicts stones or vegetation. It is possible to use a mirror surface or frosted glass. The next option is to install the waterfall directly on the wall or in a special niche.

Waterfalls of the string or drop-string type are distinguished by their beauty and interesting appearance. They appear in the form of rain, the drops of which slowly flow down the glass. It is possible to make such a waterfall, the height of which exceeds ten meters. This type of waterfall is easy to maintain and requires temporary addition of water. It looks very nice on a flight of stairs.

You should choose a waterfall based on the characteristics of the room in which it is installed, as well as practical, material considerations and the personal desires of the owners.

Types of decorative waterfalls

Decorative waterfalls differ from each other in a large number of characteristics, such as:

• form;
• size;
• appointment;
• height;
• type of water fall;
• design features;
• finishing with natural or artificial materials;
• presence of backlight.

In accordance with the design and type of finishing, there are:

• exotic waterfalls;
• the waterfalls are discreet;
• combined waterfalls.

The first type is characterized by the presence of a large number of stones, living or artificial plants, trees, reeds, reeds, bowls, jugs, mirror surfaces, figurines and other decorations. Waterfalls of this type have an excellent decorative effect. They are installed both in residential premises (apartments, cottages or private houses) and in public buildings, such as shopping centers, restaurants, cafes.

The materials used to make containers can be very diverse: metal, ceramics, porcelain, plastic, concrete, wood, plaster, artificial or natural stone. These waterfalls are equipped with glass fencing and are small in size.

Discreet waterfalls are distinguished by the absence of a large number of decorative elements. In most cases, they do not have plants or rocks. Their appearance resembles a waterfall that is walled up in glass surface. That’s why they are also called glass waterfalls. Their work is based on the constant flow of water over the surface of the glass, thanks to the presence of a special mechanism.

In the upper part there is a storage tank type device into which water flows during pump operation. Discreet waterfalls come in two types:

• jet;
• rain.

The third type of waterfalls are combined devices that connect a glass waterfall with decorative elements of an exotic waterfall, such as trees, plants, stones, figurines and other materials.

In accordance with the method of raising water, they are divided into devices:

• cascade type;
• jet type;
• drip type;
• foggy type.

A cascading waterfall involves the fall of water over several changing fragments of the device, that is, in several stages. Jet waterfalls represent a uniform flow of water in the form of a stream. A drip waterfall is characterized by the presence of small drops that gradually flow down the surface of the glass.

Fog-type waterfalls look like a weeping wall with fog forming on its surface.

Depending on the design features, they are:

• monolithic type;
• collapsible type;
• mobile type;
• singing type.

Monolithic waterfalls are a single, non-dismountable structure that is installed in a specific location and does not move anywhere from there.

Collapsible waterfalls can be easily disassembled and moved to another location.

Mobile waterfalls provide the possibility of transportation to any corner of the apartment or house.

Singing waterfalls not only decorate the interior with their beauty and humidify the air, but also bring aesthetic pleasure in the form of pleasant music that is played.

According to their location, waterfalls are divided into:

• wall;
• built-in;
• floor;
• waterfalls in the form of windows;
• waterfalls in the form of columns;
• waterfalls in the form of screens;
• waterfalls in the form of a wall.

Wall waterfalls are installed on walls in the form of paintings, in most cases in a discreet form, which suggests the presence of water flowing smoothly over the surface of the glass.

Built-in waterfalls are installed in specially prepared niches. Another option for a built-in waterfall is to install it in an aquarium, or to expand the aquarium and add a waterfall to its surface.

Floor waterfalls require installation on the floor, in the central part of the room or near the wall.

Window waterfalls do an excellent job of replacing windows, they transmit light well and look beautiful when the sun's rays hit the surface.

An excellent option for decorating a flight of stairs or a high room would be to install a waterfall in the form of a column. Such a waterfall will become a decoration not only big house, but will also fit perfectly into the design of any shopping center.

To divide one room into two functional areas, installing a waterfall in the form of a screen is suitable.

A waterfall wall is another extraordinary option for decorating a room.

Recommendations for building a waterfall in an apartment with your own hands

1. The main components for constructing a waterfall are: a pump, a tube and batteries.
2. To mask sediment, use pebbles or install a special niche.
3. The location of the tube is the highest point of the waterfall.
4. If the waterfall contains structural elements made of wood, before installation they should be coated with a special water-repellent solution, which will prevent damage to the material.
5. As a container for constructing a waterfall, choose a tank that will not let water through.
6. It is recommended to use plastic products. When choosing sediment, you should compare its power with the volume of circulated water; choose sediment with minimal power.

DIY waterfall in an aquarium

Let's begin the construction of such a waterfall by considering the principle of its operation. Thanks to the presence of air, sand and water, the illusion of a waterfall is created. The air supply is carried out thanks to the presence of a tube that is connected to the compressor. For a waterfall that is installed in a 50-liter aquarium, choose a 3.5 W compressor.

At the bottom of the tube there is a hole through which sand enters the aquarium, thanks to the presence of air, it rises and circulates. Since the sand is not able to stay at the top of the aquarium, it gradually falls down and ends up in the storage tank. Thus, this process never ends.

When choosing sand, pay attention to its color and fraction; it should be white and very fine. Top part The waterfall should be immersed in water at least two centimeters.

Now let's move on to the materials for constructing the waterfall. To work you will need:

• 1 water hose, the diameter of which is 12 mm, the length depends on the height of the waterfall;
• use a water pipe as a support, the length of which also depends on the height of the waterfall;
• 1 drip system;
• silicone glue-sealant, it is better to give preference to Titan glue;
• narrow tape;
• 1.5 l plastic bottle;
• 5 liter plastic bottle;
• 0.5 l plastic bottle;
• decorative elements in the form of stones;
• regular sand;
• white sand;
• compressor;
• a small piece of foam rubber.

Instructions for making a waterfall in an aquarium:

DIY waterfall on glass

To build such a waterfall you will need:

• cellular plexiglass;
• vinyl air hose;
• compressor;
• backlight;
• check valve.

This waterfall has simple design, it consists of a cover with a panel installed on the podium part. Their functions are to protect the waterfall from contamination by dust or dirt.

It is possible to use neon or LED light bulbs. The first option is preferable, since LEDs are less powerful in radiation.

Choose the location of the light bulbs based on personal preferences and the location of the waterfall.

Before you begin, draw a diagram and determine the size of the waterfall.

Make a podium, which should be waterproof, and install the power supply, compressor and check valve. Also install batteries for lighting in the form of controllers or lamps.

Install plexiglass through which the backlight will be visible. Install a reservoir to hold water. Install the tube that is connected to the compressor. Use an acrylic spray to distribute water bubbles evenly over the surface. There should be a tube suitable for each hole. It is possible to use holes with different diameters Thus, you will get a waterfall with bubbles of different sizes. It will look more aesthetically pleasing.

The location of the water tank should be hidden; it is possible to install it in the podium itself or between the glass and podium surfaces.

To avoid water stagnation, build a small tap; it is recommended to use purified and distilled water. Before starting the waterfall for the first time, clean the glass thoroughly using a special product that will also degrease it. This way, the water will be evenly distributed over the glass surface.

The dream of many owners of a summer house or private house is a lake with a waterfall. Such decoration immediately transforms and enlivens the area, adds zest, and refreshes on sultry days. summer days. A decorative waterfall can be very small and fit even in a limited area. Its construction is actually simpler than it might seem: to create the structure yourself, you will need to buy some building materials and strictly follow the recommendations we have given.

Waterfall location

Initially, it is worth deciding on the location of the structure, since right choice location determines the service life and ease of maintenance of the waterfall. In addition, a waterfall placed in a good location harmonizes the entire area.
Places to avoid building:

• near a house or other structures. A close location to water can lead to the spread of fungi on the walls of a building as a result of moisture evaporation;
• directly under the trees. In autumn, caring for the waterfall can be complicated due to falling leaves. In addition, the sun will not hit it. The root system of trees can destroy a structure underground;
• in distant parts of the garden, in the thickets. The waterfall will be difficult to notice; it will lose its decorative value.

1. Presence of a slope.
2. The presence of shade at lunchtime (from a fence, gazebo, house or tree).
3. Free access to the waterfall from three sides.
4. The integrity of the composition with the waterfall on and off.

Important!Please take into account that the waterfall should look harmonious on the territory both when it is running and when it is turned off.

Necessary materials

During the work you will need the following materials:

• for marking: pegs and thread (can be replaced with whitewash);
• shovel;
• waterproofing film or finished plastic (concrete) tank structure;
• river stones, smooth cobblestones;
• cement, polyurethane foam;
• pump;
• hoses;
• filter for the pump, dry running protection system;
• decorative terrestrial and underwater plants.

Depth and shape of the waterfall bowl

When building a waterfall, it is important to think about how to arrange the bowl. There are three possible options:

1. Stone-concrete bowl with full waterproofing. This option is considered labor-intensive, difficult to implement and outdated. It was used before the invention of other methods of arranging artificial ponds.
2. Flexible insulation. Involves the use of durable film to cover the pit.
3. Rigid insulation. Means use ready-made form made of composite or plastic.

Important! The depth of the bowl depends on your preferences and intentions: if you want to populate the container with fish or plant underwater plants, the bowl should be at least 120 cm deep. If the purpose of the structure is purely decorative, you can limit yourself to a shallow bowl up to 80 cm.

Let's take a closer look at the second and third options. For a large-scale structure (more than 10 sq. m), you can choose a film covering, and the deeper the reservoir, the stronger and thicker the film should be. Film thickness depends on depth:

• up to 1 m - 0.8 mm;
• up to 1.5 m - 1.2 mm;
• deeper than 1.5 m - 1.5 mm or more.

We arrange the foundation of the pit

When you have decided on the location, shape and size of the structure, you can begin constructing the pit. First you need to clear the area, removing leaves, branches, stones. Next, you need to use pegs and rope or whitewash to outline the perimeter of the future pond. Now you can proceed directly to digging the pit.

Did you know?In nature, the sound of waterfalls plays a huge role: it is a landmark for migratory birds. Noise has a calming effect on humans and helps overcome stress and anxiety. The power of the noise of large waterfalls is impressive: during the day it spreads over 2 km, and at night over 7 km around!

Cascades

An artificial pond in the garden can have either a waterfall or cascades. If you don’t know which option to choose, consider the advantages and disadvantages of both design methods.

• A waterfall is formed with a significant difference in height, while the water flows down with a powerful, straight stream with noise, breaks against the stones, forming splashes and foam. It looks impressive, but under constant strong exposure to water, the stones can deteriorate faster. To create individual streams of water, you need to use a stone with uneven surfaces. jagged edges.
• The cascade is formed using several protrusions on different tiers of the structure, along which water flows down quietly and smoothly with a pleasant murmur. Contemplation of the cascades fills you with calm, pacifies, and no splashes or foam are formed in the process. To further weaken the flow in cascades, you can use stones with recesses - water will accumulate in these reservoirs and flow out smoothly.

Important!If you design the cascade yourself, make the first tier as even as possible.

The height of the waterfall or cascades is determined by the power of your pump. It is optimal to build waterfalls up to 1.5 m, in which case the pump will cope with the task of pumping water with the highest quality and ease.

Next, you can give free rein to your imagination and build the most unusual cascade. To fasten the cobblestones, use polyurethane foam or cement. To prevent the fasteners from being noticeable at the joints, sprinkle them immediately after gluing with sand or fine gravel - this will add naturalness and hide traces of human origin.

Arrangement of the bowl

• You can use live plants, stones, seashells and pebbles to decorate the bowl. When choosing vegetation, take into account the following points:
• harmony of plants with the overall composition of the garden and the interior of the house;
• necessary conditions and climate for plants;

• you can choose these:
• swamp;
• hornwort;
• duckweed;
• lotuses and;

Important!water lilies.

It is necessary to constantly regulate the population and thin out the vegetation from time to time, since it should not cover more than half the surface of the pond.

The pump is the main element that will fill your pond with life and ensure the flow of water throughout the structure. Therefore, you need to approach the choice of pump responsibly.

Main types of pumps:

• submersible - located under water, quieter in operation, cheaper. This is the most common option;
• external - located on land, requires camouflage in the composition of the reservoir, creates noise during operation.

Step-by-step instruction

Let's summarize the main stages of creating a decorative waterfall with your own hands.

How beautiful the waterfall is and how mesmerizing it is, there is no need to repeat the well-known. Just like the fact that the microclimate created by the waterfall allows you to arrange a truly paradise. Decorative hydraulic structures have been complemented by artificial waterfalls since time immemorial. In ancient times, man-made water cascades were the prerogative of the highest nobility, but today this pleasure is available to almost anyone. Moreover, current technologies make it possible to create artificial waterfalls for extremely small areas in the yard, indoor and apartment, tabletop. Hydrodesign objects that have no natural analogues also come into use. This article is intended to help those who want to try themselves in this difficult but rewarding task.

Where to start?

From determining local conditions and your capabilities; By the way, they do not always and not entirely depend on the state of the bank account. The three pillars, so to speak, on which a beautiful waterfall stands are water, energy supply and design. You need to deal with them in order to successfully build a waterfall with your own hands. Materials, aesthetic and technical solutions are secondary factors.

Water

Making a waterfall is not all, you need to supply it with water. Through the source waterfall, pos. 1 in Fig. below, 150-250 liters of water (0.15-0.25 cubic meters) flows every hour. If the water flows like a veil over the drain and flows into the reservoir in trickles, pos. 2, you will need to pass 0.4-0.6 cubic meters through it. m/hour. So that the veil of water becomes continuous, pos. 3, its consumption should already be 0.9-1.2 cubic meters. m/hour, and so that the water curtain acquires exquisite smoothness, pos. 4, you need 1.5-2.5 cubic meters. m/hour. This is the so-called. laminar jet, see below. Fluffy man-made Niagara, pos. 5, you will need from 3.5-4 cubic meters. m/hour.

In the summer, in the heat, in the 1st cascade of the waterfall per day, 2-5% of the hourly water consumption will be lost to evaporation. You can check by placing the trough outside, pouring water into it and measuring its levels in the morning and evening. In total, we have daily water losses only for evaporation with 1 cascade 3-200 l, with 2 cascades 6-400 l, with 3 cascades 9-600 l. Per month this will be a total of 0.09-18 cubic meters. The throughput of the house water supply is known: it is determined either by the lumen area of ​​the supply pipe and its material, for example. according to the tables of F.A. Shevelev, either by the productivity of the supply pump, or simply by the debit of the source autonomous water supply. That is, knowing your water supply capabilities and your own water needs, you can already choose the design options that the local water supply system will handle. For example, in a dacha it is best to plan a single-cascade waterfall: in addition to the urgent need for water for irrigation, there may simply not be room there for a large structure.

Electricity

Now let's figure out how things are with the power supply. The fall height of an aesthetically quite perfect waterfall can be taken to be approximately 1 m, and the hourly water flow rate in it is 1 cubic meter. m. Then its flow will be 1000/3600 = 0.27 l/s. More will not hurt, but will require a corresponding increase in the amount of work, material consumption and a more powerful pump.

To raise 1 liter of water, which almost exactly weighs 1 kg, to a height of 1 m, you need to do 1 kgm (kilogram meter) or 9.8 J of work. The work done in 1 s is power. In this case, it will be 9.8x0.28 = 2.75 J/s or 2.75 W. The efficiency of a good submersible pump is usually approx. 70%, but taking into account losses in pipes, especially flexible corrugated ones, the pump power must be tripled. So, (2.75/0.7)x3 = 11.8 W. We multiply the resulting value by 5. Why? To take into account the loss of performance due to a clogged pump filter, it is not distillate that is pumped. Total almost 60 watts. Since the waterfall is not considered a life support facility, the operational safety margin can be taken to be minimal, 20%. Then we ultimately reach a power of 75 W; such a pump is enough for a country or home single-cascade waterfall.

Note: in this example, the pipeline length is assumed to be 10 m. With a length of 15 m, the loss factor will be 4, 20 m – 5.5, 25 m – 6.5, 30 m – 7.2.

Design

Well, everything seems to be in order with electricity: our pump “pumps up” 1.8 kW/h on the meter per day, and 54 kW/h per month. Within your means - beyond your means, but you don’t have to think about altering the wiring and protective devices. Design is another matter. A waterfall is a highly aesthetic product and requires an appropriate environment, just like a Lamborghini or Aston Martin requires a suitable road. In a nook fenced off by a slate fence, he will lose a lot, and instead of reverence for the owner, it can cause irony and irritation in the guest. Hydrodesign of individual properties is a separate big topic, so first we suggest watching the video.

Video: hydrodesign - waterfalls, streams, ponds

More about pumps

Pumps for hydraulic design are fundamentally different in their characteristics from household ones for water supply in that they have lower power and are designed to operate in continuous mode, as well as being more adaptable to pumping contaminated liquids. Perhaps the only case when a waterfall can be powered by a cheaper, more reliable and durable household submersible pump will be discussed further, but for now let’s state a fact: a special pump is needed.

Pumps for waterfalls also differ from each other. With the same power, the former have lower productivity and higher pressure. Very significant circumstances follow from this, as a result of which a waterfall pump turns out to be noticeably more expensive than a fountain pump.

Take a look at fig. Why, it would seem, not to take water into the waterfall pump from shallow water through a separate filter, thereby reducing the cost of the entire system and simplifying its maintenance? Because the productivity of a waterfall pump is much greater. The surface stream will immediately be drawn to the filter, part of it will by inertia pass through it and a fairly strong circular circulation will be established in the reservoir. This is a kind of resonance when the power consumed by the pump goes only to compensate for losses in the resonating system.

From the point of view of the pond as a decorative element and ecosystem, its surface will be restless and will not provide a calming effect, and the population of the reservoir will feel like they are in a communal apartment of bad memory. Cultivars that are demanding in terms of keeping conditions (varietal nymphs, colored koi carps, golden orff ide) most likely will not take root in such a pond at all. Therefore, you have to install a waterfall pump in the very deep place, where the turbidity settles, and make it more resistant to clogging, which increases the cost of the product.

Note: in a populated pond, installing a pump for a waterfall in the very depths is also not best option, see below.

About aquarium pumps

In many cases, a mini-waterfall can be powered from a relatively inexpensive aquarium pump. They are produced with a capacity of 0.05-3 cubic meters. m/hour at zero pressure and pressure 0.3-2.5 m at zero productivity. Performance at zero pressure means that the pump pumps from water directly into water, and pressure at zero performance means that the water in the upward-turned supply pipe will stop at this level. At half the pressure, the pump’s performance drops by about 2.7 times. Aquarium pumps are quite reliable, safe and resistant to contamination, so you can choose one suitable for a small single-cascade waterfall. True, mostly indoors, because... The frost resistance of aquarium pumps is not standardized. Or you will need to remove the pump for the winter and store it in a heated room.

What types of waterfalls are there?

Types of artificial waterfalls suitable for self-construction are shown in the photo. Pos. 1 – source waterfall. The aesthetic qualities are minimal, but its construction will require little work, and the initial and operating costs will not ruin any budget. The fontanel waterfall itself, as a rule, ecologically fits perfectly into any inhabited body of water. To increase the decorative effect, the outflow of the source waterfall is most often made in the form of a jug, amphora, shell, figurines of nymphs, frogs, etc. The air in the vicinity is practically not humidified in addition to the pond, but the water meter almost “does not see” its loss due to evaporation. No additional space is required.

Fountaining source, pos. 2, this is mainly the source of an artificial stream, which is a separate topic. Powered by a fountain pump.

A simple single-cascade waterfall at pos. 3 can be called a mono-waterfall in a modern way. Its aesthetics are good, water losses are small, and the air is additionally humidified within a radius approximately equal to the height of the fall. The labor intensity and costs are relatively low, and it takes up little space. However, even when the jet falls 0.8-1 m, the soothing splash of water above reverberates in its thickness as an unpleasant rumble or rumble, similar in spectrum to the noise of a working stone crusher. Every diver knows this, and aquatic organisms much more sensitive to water hammer. Therefore, if a pond with such a waterfall can be inhabited, it will be by unpretentious local savages.

Cascade waterfall, or multi-cascade waterfall, pos. 4, gives perfect aesthetics with a fall of only 25-30 cm per cascade, but is complex, expensive, labor-intensive, requires a lot of space and moisture for evaporation at +30 in the shade, it loses up to 10% of the hourly water consumption per day. On a site in middle-class and lower-class households, it is often replaced with an artificial stream with thresholds that is no less aesthetically pleasing, but fits well into the pieces of free space and loses less water.

Also, for the sake of saving space and reducing water loss, the cascade waterfall is replaced by an aesthetically equivalent waterfall-cascade, pos. 5 and 6. Deep spray chambers already reduce evaporation losses by half, and the sides hold a cushion of moist air above the reservoir - the breaker bath. In the garden, a waterfall-shelf is perhaps the optimal solution. Due to the small spraying of the jets with a small fall, it loses even less water than a single waterfall, and can easily be attached to. True, on open place The freshness of the air in the heat can only be felt directly next to it.

The most beautiful, but also the most expensive and complex decorative waterfall is a chamber waterfall with laminar, i.e. without internal turbulence, in jets, pos. 7. In some manuals, mini-waterfalls with closed reservoirs are called chamber waterfalls; we note this for clarity. The structure of a large chamber waterfall is shown in Fig. below. Each of its cascades consists of a breaker bowl 1, a splash chamber 2 and a water slide-shelf 3, on which a laminar flow is formed. In the breaker bowls, the water calms down after falling, and the spray chambers prevent the jet from sticking (laminar jets are very prone to this) from the undersides of the shelves. The source bath has the same configuration as the breakers, but is larger.

The hydraulic design of a chamber waterfall is very complex. For those familiar with hydrodynamics, let us inform you that it boils down to the fact that, by varying the configuration and dimensions of the chambers with shelves and the height of the fall in the cascades, by the middle of the width of the shelves, reach the Reynolds number Re, corresponding to the laminar flow of a flow of a given value. The calculation procedure is such that even specialists’ brains, as they say, sweat and shrink.

But even for unprepared fans there is very good news about chamber waterfalls: ready-made sets of plastic bathtubs with shelves are available for sale, and the specifications for them include the dimensions of the slides. Thanks to professional computer modeling, a chamber waterfall slide based on purchased elements is usually quite compact and not very labor-intensive. If you don’t want to decorate the area with plastic or you’re simply not happy with the price, you can take the dimensions from the company brochure and build it yourself. Small errors in the configuration of the cascades are forgivable, but based on rougher material, the depth of the baths must be increased by 10%, and the width of the shelves by 15%.

Note: a type of 1-cascade chamber waterfall - grotto waterfall, pos. 8. This is a more specialized object: the laminar jet sprays just enough so that the most demanding moisture-loving plants can be grown in the grotto chamber.

Waterfall to the pond

From the above, it must be clear that attaching an artificial waterfall with your own hands to a pond that already exists, planted and populated is not so easy. The basic rules that should be followed are illustrated in Fig.

First, in this case the pump is not placed in the wintering pit. Nymphs are planted there, and wild water lilies in natural reservoirs do not tolerate water flows near the rhizomes. Therefore, the pump is placed on the first ledge from the bottom, closer to the drain from the waterfall into the pond. It may be necessary to select the location for its installation in order to avoid continuous water circulation, so initially the underwater part of the pipeline is made from a flexible hose.

Further, the fall of the jet directly into the reservoir is unacceptable, so the slide is built at a certain distance, approx. 1 m, distance. They either place a breaker bath with a spout under the stream, on top of the rice, or make a blind area of ​​gravel or pebbles under it on a clay castle, below it. The jet breaker can be underwater, but buried no more than 2-3 cm, which corresponds to the height of gravitational ripples on the water that do not create local currents. If a wave similar to a wind wave comes from the jet, it will disturb the water.

If the waterfall is cascading or whatnot, then the fall of the last cascade is taken to be 15-25 cm. Then this stream can be launched directly into the water mirror, laying out the underwater coastal slope with pebbles. In this case, varietal nymphs will feel good in the immediate vicinity of the place where the jet falls, see fig. on right.

How to power a waterfall?

In addition to the generally accepted method of continuously feeding a waterfall from a special pump, intermittent (pulse) powering from a household submersible pump and pressure tank is also possible. It is better to take a centrifugal pump with a metal impeller (impeller) and guide vane; they are the most resistant to contamination. These are designed to work in intermittent mode: shake-cool-shake-cool. The pump capacity must be greater than 3 water flow rates by the waterfall, and the tank capacity must be at least 2 hour flow rates. The first condition for household submersible pumps This is almost always done, but you will have to think about the material of the tank and the place for it. IN general instructions for developing pulsed power supply for a waterfall looks like this:

• Find a place for a waterfall and a tank. The height of the minimum water level in the tank should be 2 m above the waterfall spout, and the difference between the maximum and minimum levels should not be more than 1.5 m;
• Choose the type and design of the waterfall;
• Select a suitable pump;
• If the pump specification gives not the average hourly performance, but its instantaneous performance, in l/s, then they also look at how many minutes per hour the pump pumps and how long it rests. Then the injection time is multiplied by 10, how much water the pump will pump in 10 hours is determined, and its average hourly productivity is found by dividing the resulting value by 10;
• Determine the length of the supply pipe;
• Using Shevelev's tables or similar sources, find the cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe lumen at which its throughput will be equal to the required water flow in the waterfall at its minimum level in the tank. For reference: a water level difference of 1 m corresponds to a pressure of 1 kgf/sq. cm;
• The tank is equipped with 2 float sensors: the top one is activated when filled to the maximum level, closes the float valve and disconnects the pump from the network. The lower one is triggered when the water level drops to a minimum and supplies power to the pump.

Note: to pp. 5 and 6. Take a pipe of obviously larger diameter and install ball valve It is not advisable to regulate water flow, because Pond water is not completely clean. If the valve does not clog soon, the pipe will hum and the waterfall will begin to “spit.”

Waterfall elements

Now it’s time to remember that the entire waterfall complex consists of 3 main parts: a slide with a spout, a sump tank, also known as a hydraulic accumulator, and a hydraulic system with a pump that supplies water from the sump/storage tank to the spout. It seems that the hydraulic system has already been sorted out, leaving the remaining two.

Slide

The main problem with it, besides the structural strength, is only one: the slide should not absorb water, otherwise no water supply will be enough to compensate for the losses. Therefore, firstly, the slide is built on a clay castle from as thick clay as possible. The second option - cementing the site under the hill with waterproof concrete - is very expensive.

Secondly, the masonry of the slide should be carried out not with ordinary mortar, but with mounting adhesive for foam blocks. It looks similar to cement-sand mortar, but contains additives that increase its adhesion (stickiness). This is even more important if the slide is high enough on a narrow base. At the end of the masonry, all visible gaps between the stones are sealed with the same glue.

Note: if it is desirable to hide the masonry seams and give the slide a completely natural look, it can be aged until it becomes dry in the same way, for example.

Thirdly, if the slide is made of sandstone, slate or other stones with high water absorption, the blocks must first be treated with a deep penetration primer for the stone or 2-3 times with a water-polymer emulsion. This is necessary not only to reduce water loss, but, most importantly, to ensure that the moisture-saturated stone does not develop frost cracks during the winter.

Water

There are 4 options for the design of the fountain reservoir: with waterproofing made of film, in a ready-made plastic thicket, concreted or paved with pebbles or unrounded stone. Their advantages and disadvantages are as follows:

The technology for constructing all these types of reservoirs, except for concrete ones, is generally similar. First, a pit is dug and an anti-heaving sand cushion with a thickness (thickness) of 15-20 cm is laid in it. The sand is poured in 2-4 layers; each layer is leveled with a rake, sprayed and compacted or rolled. The pit for the finished bowl is dug with a reserve of approx. 0.3 m along the contour. Further, step by step for acc. types:

• Panels of film insulation (film thickness from 120 microns) are laid with an overlap of 25 cm and with wings (bends) at the top of 1 m. The folds are straightened out as carefully as possible. This is necessary, because When the reservoir is filled, the film will stretch under water pressure. It can then tear along the folds and the wings can “crawl away.” Another layer of sand of 10-15 cm, a layer of gravel of 7-10 cm is poured over the film, and the reservoir is filled.
• Under the finished bowl, the pillow is first poured only on horizontal planes. Then the lowest gap between the bowl and the wall of the pit is covered with sand in layers, with spraying and tamping. Next, fill the lowest tier of the bowl (wintering pit) with water; after a day or two, fill the next gap in the same way, fill the next tier, and so on until the top. Containers with plants are placed as the reservoir fills.
• When building a paved bed, first lay out the slopes, making the sides. When the glue gains 75% strength (after 7-20 days), place wet clay on the bottom and shelves of the ledges, press large stones into it as many as they can be, then smaller ones, and so on until the smallest ones. After the top layer of clay has dried (3-7 days), the pool is ready for laying nutrient soil, planting plants and filling.

About plant culture

Water lilies - nymphs - in natural conditions live for decades. But their container culture has to be renewed after 3-7 years, and in a pond with a solid bed and bulk soil after 5-10 years. The lotus, capable of overwintering in the black soil zone, does not take root in such reservoirs at all. The reason is the accumulation of waste products of the pond population in the soil. In natural reservoirs they are gradually filtered into the soil.

In this regard, a reservoir with a bed paved with stones over a clay castle looks especially attractive. Colmatage (natural compaction of soil under water pressure) occurs almost instantly in it, as soon as it is filled. Water losses due to infiltration are negligible, compared to others they are not visible. But still, there is some diffusion of undesirable substances accumulating in the sediment into the underlying soil, and a stable biological equilibrium in such a pond is established in the same way as in a natural reservoir.

About waterfalls without a pond

Sometimes, for a number of reasons, waterfalls are performed with closed ones, i.e. without a visible water surface, a water collector. In such type, water seeps into the underground reservoir through a layer of crushed stone. The main rule in the design of waterfalls with a closed reservoir is not to make them multi-stage. A waterfall like the one in Fig. on the right, it may look cool, but it’s certainly not natural.

Waterfalls near the house and decorative ones in the house and apartment

A home waterfall is built when it is not possible to dig and fill a pond. These are most often performed according to the mini-waterfall scheme with a closed reservoir. The exception is miniature waterfalls with a very tiny flow, in which the forces of surface tension obviously exceed the forces that generate turbulence. Home waterfalls are divided into:

1. Waterfalls near the house - street and courtyard waterfalls in small areas or in places that do not allow excavation work (paved courtyard, playground, etc.) Their reservoir is most often above ground.
2. Floor waterfalls for residential premises.
3. Wall decorative waterfalls or painting waterfalls.

Mini waterfalls

How a mini-waterfall works is shown in Fig. The frame material is any decorative, sufficiently resistant to environmental conditions. The slide stand is also waterproof. A mesh supporting the gravel fill, with tray sizes up to approximately 0.4 x 0.4 m, will be suitable for window mosquito repellents, and it is better to take fiberglass support (reinforcing) rods. To prevent the mesh from sagging too much, place them in increments of no more than 10 cm. Water supply is with an aquarium pump at 1000-2500 l/hour. Flow regulation - thyristor regulator. Aquarium pump motors are made with a ferrite magnetized rotor, and “cutting” half-waves of the mains voltage does not affect their reliability.

When the waterfall is made externally, the cushion is made of sand. If the waterfall is in the apartment, it is better to use sheet polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam. The latter is somewhat worse, because not elastic. Waterproofing is needed from butyl rubber or EPDM, because... Water seeps through the PVC film a little bit. When using EPDM, you don’t have to make a pillow, because... This material is porous and of sufficient thickness.

In quite large room an indoor waterfall can be arranged without a pillow and waterproofing, in a basin, corner bathtub with a plugged drain, etc. But in any case, the waterfall in the room needs a waterproof edge to protect it from splashes. Its height should be at least 1/3 of the height of the jet fall. For aesthetic reasons this is not always desirable; then you need to replace the gravel water inlet with a backing of rounded pebbles, their plastic imitation, beads or something else smooth and round.

Waterfall on the table

Unfortunately, making a micro-waterfall without a pump, for example. based on a Heron fountain, it is impossible: the water consumption is relatively high, and the supply vessels will have to be rearranged or refilled more often than to admire the cascade. The tabletop waterfall is powered by a pump for small aquariums with a water-to-water capacity of 50-200 l/hour.

The main problem here is how to completely get rid of splashes and water spray that is invisible to the eye but harmful to furniture, carpets, and finishing. This is solved by releasing a stream of supply pipe into the roof of the cavity with a low side outlet onto the drain.

Technically and aesthetically, it can be a mini-structure made of stone, pos. 1 in the figure, shell, pos. 2, jug, pos. 3, and even a blind pipe, pos. 4. The last option in this case is quite consistent with general style design: bamboo water pipes have been built in the East since prehistoric times. Quite a few of them have been abandoned, but they are still in operation and they fit perfectly into the natural landscape.

Water on glass

Who hasn’t admired, while sitting inside, warm and dry, the streams of rain whimsically wriggling on the window glass? However, the value of an indoor glass waterfall is not only aesthetic: in places with hot, dry summers, it can help the air conditioner save a lot of electricity, because evaporation from a thin film of water over a relatively large area and, accordingly, cooling of the air is noticeable.

As for aesthetics, a waterfall painting on glass fits harmoniously into any modern style of interior design. For extremely laconic and/or technical styles, such as, for example. minimalism or high-tech, it will also be a necessary, but not excessively exciting speck: complete rigor and order take on meaning only when there is at least a little disorder in comparison, but clean and controlled.

The appearance of a typical glass waterfall and the diagram of its structure are shown in Fig. This is basically the same mini-waterfall with a closed reservoir, but with a spout in the form of a horizontal tube. It contains nozzle holes with a diameter of 1-2 mm, directed obliquely downwards towards the glass. Water supply - with an aquarium pump at 200-600 l/hour “from water to water”. Flow regulation - thyristor regulator. It is better to make all parts in contact with water glass or transparent acrylic. In the first case, they are glued together with aquarium silicone; in the second - dichloroethane, in which approximately 10% by volume of acrylic sawdust or shavings is dissolved.

Note: When working with dichloroethane, take precautions; this liquid and its vapors are very poisonous!

When making a waterfall on glass, two “buts” should be taken into account. The first is mandatory: the waterfall must be filled with distilled water or, in extreme cases, artesian water passed through a shungite filter with a hardness of no more than 2 German degrees. Otherwise, salt deposits will soon destroy both aesthetics and hydraulics.

Secondly, in order to fully comply with the aesthetic standards of futurism, it is better to replace the gravel or pebble backfill of the reservoir with pieces of glass rods laid across the reservoir in 2-4 layers in a checkerboard pattern. This is especially true when illuminating a fountain from a tank: the refraction of light in the round pieces of glass and the water film enveloping them will give a slightly undulating, exquisite light pattern on the main glass.

About illuminating waterfalls

Illumination of hydrodesign objects is also a separate topic, but we can immediately say: waterfalls especially benefit if they are illuminated by point sources in the stream. To do this, the illuminators are placed either in the bath of the upper cascade and shine sideways, into the source of the jet, or illuminate the jets from bottom to top, as in Fig. on right. Part of the light entering the stream experiences total internal reflection, as in a light guide. The light seems to follow the stream, which allows you to achieve particularly subtle and enchanting effects.