How to Build an Outdoor Water Fountain

Adding an outdoor water fountain to your backyard provides not only a lovely garden accent, but the lyrical sound of running water, a place for birds and wildlife to get a drink and may even increase property value. Outdoor fountain projects can be as simple or extensive as you desire. At the core of each is a prefabricated fountain base.

Outdoor Water Fountain - Materials Needed

The prefabricated fountain base you choose can be a stone or cement basin with leaping dolphins and mermaids towering ten feet over your head, or it could be an old oak barrel cut in half. The decision about what type of basin you desire depends on personal taste, the amount of space you have, and the style of your home and existing landscaping. All you really need is a relatively large water tight container.

In addition, you will need a water fountain submersible pump, a solid tube and an intake hose that connects to it. You can also purchase a selection of fountain adapters for the solid tube. These are designed to spray the water in different shapes or patterns.

Outdoor Water Fountain - Building It

The first and most important step in building an outdoor water fountain is placing the fountain basin. Think carefully before placing it! Once you set up the backyard fountain, moving it will be very difficult unless it is quite small. You want a location where it can easily be enjoyed, that is close to an electrical outlet, and out of direct sunlight to help prevent algae build up.

Place the outdoor water fountain basin on a level surface. Position the submersible fountain pump in the center of the basin with the solid tube pointing straight up. Attach your desired fountain head to the top of the tube according to the manufacturer's directions.

It is a good idea to put a mesh plastic basket over the entire pump mechanism. This will not only hide the pump somewhat, it sill help support the tube and prevent any fallen leaves or other debris from clogging the intake hose. Run the electric cord out of the fountain basin on the least visible side.

If the fountain is built in a small or dark container rather than a wide shallow basin, laying a piece of black or dark blue plastic mesh inside the top of the basin will also help keep leaves and debris from fouling the water.

After the outdoor water fountain is set up completely, it is time to fill the basin with water from your garden hose. Be sure the pump is completely full of water before turning it on to enjoy your new fountain.