A waterfall or a fountain can become the focal point of a yard, mask part of the surrounding noise and create an atmosphere you can sense from the patio or the house. To produce that effect, the feature has to suit the scale of the property, be visible from the right places, and be supported by a system you can reach to maintain.
Moving water is the spectacular part. The basin, the pump, the filtration, the supply, the overflow, the winterising and the technical access are what let you enjoy it over time.
Fountain, waterfall or pond: what is the difference?
The fountain
A fountain projects or circulates water from a defined point. It can be freestanding, set in a visible basin, or fed from a concealed reservoir. Its style can be classical, architectural or very discreet.
It suits a small yard well, or a space where a precise focal point is wanted. The sound depends on the drop height, the flow rate, the shape of the jet and the surface the water falls onto.
The waterfall
A waterfall brings water down through several levels. It can imitate a natural composition with stone and planting, or take a more contemporary line from a wall or a spillway.
It calls for careful integration with the levels, the splashing and the circulation. A waterfall that is too large in a small space can dominate the whole yard; one that is too small can disappear both visually and acoustically.
The decorative pond
A pond keeps a visible surface of water and can host aquatic plants or, in a suitable design, certain forms of life. It generally calls for more management than a closed reservoir: water quality, debris, vegetation, safety and the balance of the system.
A body of water can attract birds or insects, but that effect varies. Stagnant, poorly maintained water is not an ecological goal; circulation, filtration and maintenance remain necessary according to the type of installation.
The system with no visible basin
Some fountains and waterfalls make the water disappear into a grate or a bed of stone before returning it to an underground reservoir. That solution reduces the accessible surface of water and can simplify integration into a compact area, while still calling for clear access to the reservoir and the pump.
Defining the effect you want
Before choosing a model, you have to settle what the feature is meant to bring.
- A visual focal point: visible from a window, an entrance or the patio.
- A sound atmosphere: present enough to be heard in the lounging area, without becoming intrusive for the house or the neighbours.
- A transition between levels: built into a wall, a stair or a slope.
- A link with the pool: a waterfall or sheet of water coordinated with the surround and the pool itself.
- A planted presence: a pond or a bank allowing a composition of suitable plantings.
- A night-time element: movement and texture revealed by discreet lighting.
One installation can fill several roles, but it benefits from having a main one. That priority guides the location, the scale and the type of water circulation.
Choosing the right location
The views from the house and the patio
A water feature should be placed where it will genuinely be seen. A waterfall hidden behind the furniture, or visible only from a little-used corner, loses much of its point.
It helps to look at the yard from the doors, the main windows and the seating. The view from inside matters particularly during the seasons when the outdoor space is used less.
The sound
The sound level varies a great deal with the flow rate and the way the water falls. A small change in height or in surface can change the atmosphere. Bedrooms, conversation areas and the proximity of neighbours all have to be considered.
Sun and trees
Strong sun exposure can affect the water temperature and the development of algae in a pond. Trees offer shade, but add leaves, needles and debris. The location has to strike a balance between the planted atmosphere and the maintenance you accept.
Technical access
The pump, the filter, the lines, the reservoir and the controls have to stay reachable. A hatch that is invisible but impossible to open under a piece of furniture or a large stone will complicate every service visit.
Slopes and water around the installation
Runoff from the yard should not carry soil or mulch into the basin. Conversely, an overflow must not saturate a base, a patio or a wall. The location has to be coordinated with the drainage of the property.
Matching the scale to the yard
The size of the property does not by itself dictate the size of the feature. The viewing distance, the height of the walls, the width of the circulation routes and the other strong points of the project all count as well.
In a small yard, a vertical fountain or a system with no visible basin can create a presence without occupying the whole surface. On a larger property, a waterfall made of several levels can connect a slope to the rest of the landscaping.
The flow rate has to be proportionate to the structure. Water that is too powerful increases the splashing and the noise; too little flow can make the fall irregular. The pump and the lines are selected according to the height, the route and the effect wanted.
The technical components to plan for
The basin or reservoir
It receives the water and has to offer a capacity consistent with the system, the splashing, the evaporation and the changes in level. How it is built depends on the type of installation: a shell, a membrane, a structure or a concealed reservoir.
The pump
The pump maintains the circulation. It has to supply the flow needed, allowing for the height to be lifted, the losses in the lines and the restrictions of the system. It also has to be reachable for cleaning, removal or replacement.
The lines
The diameter, the route, the fittings and the protection of the lines all affect the flow and the reliability. They have to be planned before the bases and the surfaces are closed up.
Filtration
The needs vary depending on whether it is a small fountain, a waterfall with a closed reservoir or a pond containing plants. Mechanical filtration, biological filtration or other treatments may be required by the system. The aim is to limit debris and maintain a water quality compatible with the installation.
The electrical supply
Pumps, controls and lighting call for a supply suited to the outdoors and to the proximity of water. The design and the connections have to meet the applicable requirements and be entrusted to the qualified trades required.
Topping up and draining
Water is lost to evaporation and splashing. You have to plan how the level will be checked and restored, then how the system will be emptied or lowered for maintenance or for winter. An automatic supply can simplify use, but it has to be designed with the appropriate protections and controls.
Drainage, overflow and splashing
A water feature must not create a water problem in the yard.
The project has to answer three scenarios:
- Where does the water that splashes during operation go?
- What happens during heavy rain if the basin rises?
- Where is the water directed during draining or winterising?
The neighbouring surfaces may need a slope, a drain or an area able to receive the water. The destination has to comply with the applicable rules and must not harm neighbouring properties.
Around a pool, the waterfall and its basin have to be coordinated with the surround, the circulation and the safety measures.
Integrating the feature with the materials and the plantings
A natural waterfall often uses several sizes of stone and some planting to avoid the look of a uniform stack. A contemporary fountain can instead rely on clean lines, a wall and a limited palette.
Pavers, slabs, blocks and stone have to meet in clean junctions. Constantly wet areas can age differently; the choice of materials and the access for cleaning have to take that into account.
Aquatic and bankside plants are chosen according to the depth, the sun, the moisture and the maintenance. The neighbouring land plants should not block the pump, the overflow or the technical access once mature.
Adding lighting without dazzling
Light can reveal the texture of the water, the stone and the plantings. A few well-placed sources are often more effective than uniform lighting.
A submerged fixture, when it is designed for that use, produces a different effect from a spotlight placed outside the basin. The fixtures, the connections and their positions have to be compatible with water and reachable for maintenance.
In-Lite landscape lighting on the walkways, the walls and the planting can complete the water feature and tie it to the rest of the yard.
Safety and access
Any body of water presents a potential risk, particularly for young children and animals. The depth, the edges, the circulation, the wet surfaces and the access all have to be considered. Depending on the configuration and the municipality, rules or permits may apply.
Unstable stones, narrow ledges and reachable cables have to be avoided. The feature should not create a dangerous shortcut or make it easier to climb a pool enclosure.
Maintenance during the season
The frequency depends on the type of system and its surroundings. Maintenance can include:
- removing leaves and debris;
- cleaning the pump intake and the filters;
- watching the water level;
- checking for leaks, fittings and unusual splashing;
- controlling algae according to the design;
- trimming plants that block the movement or the access;
- cleaning the stone surfaces when required;
- adjusting the flow or the aim of the jets.
A system that is easy to open and inspect will be maintained more regularly than an installation whose components are all concealed with no access.
Preparing for the Quebec winter
Winterising has to be planned from the design stage. Depending on the system, it can call for emptying or lowering the water, removing the pump, purging certain lines, protecting components and preventing frozen water from exerting pressure in the wrong places.
The manufacturer's instructions and the protocol specific to the installation have to be followed. Improvising in the autumn can damage elements that are hard to reach or built into the masonry.
Common mistakes
Choosing the feature on looks alone, underestimating the noise, concealing the pump completely, forgetting the overflow, installing a waterfall too large for the space, or neglecting the winterising are all frequent mistakes.
Placing a pond where all the runoff loaded with soil and debris will end up should also be avoided. Decorative water and stormwater management are two distinct systems that nevertheless have to be coordinated.
The Terrassement XP approach
Terrassement XP builds waterfalls, fountains and water features into the whole landscaping project. The levels, the walls, the pavers, the plantings, the drainage, the lighting and the living areas are planned as one coherent composition.
Frequently asked questions about water features
Which feature needs the least maintenance?
A small, easily reachable system with no visible basin can call for less management than a planted pond, but no water feature is maintenance-free. Exposure to leaves, the volume of water, the filtration and access to the components all matter a great deal.
Can a waterfall be added to an existing pool?
Sometimes. The structure, the hydraulics, the levels, the surfaces, the access and the pool manufacturer's requirements all have to be checked. A decorative addition must not compromise the pool or its systems.
How can green water be avoided?
The answer depends on the light, the nutrients, the volume, the circulation, the filtration and the presence of plants. The system has to be designed for its use and maintained regularly rather than relying on a single treatment.
Can the fountain be left running all winter?
That depends entirely on the installation, the products and the protocol planned. In Quebec, many systems have to be shut down and protected against freezing. Follow the instructions specific to the project.
Should the lighting be planned from the start?
Yes, ideally. The fixtures, the cables and the access are easier to build in before the basin, the walls and the surfaces are closed up.
Making water a lasting part of the landscaping
A waterfall or a fountain becomes genuinely calming when it runs simply, its noise is under control and its maintenance has been planned. The best design brings the visual effect, the hydraulics, the drainage and the landscape integration together in one project.
Request a quote from Terrassement XP to add a waterfall, a fountain or a pond to your yard in the Quebec City or Levis area.