How to Make a Spill Fountain Water Feature for Any Landscape

Spill fountain water features are a great way to add moving water to your landscape without the maintenance of an in-ground garden pond. They are made from large decorative pots of any shape or size which display the illusion of spilling water.

A spill fountain water feature will create a spectacular focal point in any landscape, yet is small enough to assemble in just a few hours, making this an easy do it yourself project to appreciate the sights and sounds of flowing of water.

A spill fountain water features effect of spilling water is created by burying a plastic container in the ground to catch and circulate water flowing from a decorative pot.

To conceal the mechanical workings of the spill fountain, a piece of wire mesh covered with a layer of pebbles and stones sits at ground level covering the plastic container with the decorative pot directly over the top.

To make a spill fountain water feature for your landscape you will need the following materials.

Large decorative pot with drain hole

Small and large pebbles and stones

Vinyl tubing 1 ½ the length of pot

Wire mesh

Silicone sealant

Plastic base container (at least 3 inches wider than pot and deep enough to support submersible pump)

Cinder block or bricks

Shovel

Submersible pump

Level

Tin snips

Dig a hole for your spill fountain water feature that is 2 inches wider than the width of your plastic container and deep enough to bring the rim of the container to landscaped ground level.

Place the level in the center of the plastic water feature container, and place the container in the hole . Adjust the dirt beneath the spill fountain base to make it level with the landscape.

Using the excavated dirt, backfill the hole to support the sides of the spill fountain base tamping it down for support and check again for level with the landscape.

A cinder block or bricks placed in the center of the water feature container will elevate and support the weight of the spill fountain.

Place the submersible pump in the container and run the vinyl tubing from the pump toward the center of the container, kinks in the tubing will interfere with water flow use only enough tubing to accommodate the spill fountain.

Run the power cord for the pump out of the container and to an electrical power source. DO NOT plug the pump into an electrical outlet until the spill fountain construction is complete. Running the pump dry will damage the unit completely.

The wire mesh should be at least 6 inches larger than the spill fountain base, trim the mesh with tin snips to adjust the size as needed.

Lay the wire mesh over the spill fountain base and using the tin snips, cut a hole in the center of the mesh large enough to pass the vinyl tubing through. Cut and bend jagged pieces of mesh away from the tubing to prevent damage.

Lower the spill fountains decorative pot over the wire mesh covered container and gently guide the vinyl tubing through the hole in the bottom of the pot, trim the tubing halfway up the inside of the pot.

Using the silicone sealant, spread enough sealant around the hole at the bottom of the pot and let it set up according to the manufacturers instructions.

Check the spill fountain pot to make sure it is level and make any necessary adjustments if needed.

Spread the pebbles and stones over the exposed wire mesh to conceal it and trim any excess mesh if needed.

Once the spill fountain has been assembled and the sealant is set and dry according to the manufacturers instructions fill the pot and the container base below it with water and plug the pump into an electrical outlet.

When the pump is turned on it will circulate the water forcing it to flow up and over the rim of the spill fountain pot, disappearing into the hidden container below the pebble covered wire mesh creating the illusion of a never ending flow of water.

To keep the spill fountain pump running smoothly for years to come, remove it from the water before the first frost of autumn and place it in a container with enough water to completely cover the pump. Store the container indoors where there is no threat of freezing. If the water pump housing gets dried out it will become brittle and crumble apart, rendering it useless.

With a little imagination and a few hours, anyone can make a decorative spill fountain water feature to enhance their landscape.