A Simple Guide To Water Features

Well known for their calming properties, water features create a stunning display in your garden, home or any other space, for example, offices or entrances. Water features can be used both indoors & outdoors where there is access to electricity (some are solar powered allowing them to stand alone). The features come in a wide range of styles, from modern ones such as the stainless steel sphere or tubes, to more traditional urn style features or pouring bowls.

Types of features:

There are many different types of water features but they can be broadly categorised into the following:

• Stainless Steel Water Features - clean and modern, these features look great indoors and outdoors. They are weather resistant and can add a beautiful effect to any space. The mirror properties of stainless steel mean that the effect goes beyond the feature itself, as it will reflect lights and mirror the surrounding area.
• Resin Water Features - poly resin is the material that these features are made from. They create a realistic rock or stone effect and can be moulded into any shape and texture. Resin features are much lighter than their rock counterparts allowing them to be moved easily and bought at a lower cost than a carved rock equivalent.
• Glass Water Features - glass features are usually lit from the inside creating not only a great effect with water but from the light itself. Many have colour changing bulbs or LEDs that provide an interesting and soothing effect.
• Granite / Stone Features - some of the more original features are made from lumps of granite or stone, either rough with a hole drilled through, or polished. Some can come with lights inset into the stone.

Most features require very little installation or maintenance as they come fully self contained. All you need to do is plugthem in and add water!

Where to site your water feature?

Water features can be sited almost anywhere. They mainly come with at least 10m of cable allowing you to install them at your choice of location. Some more traditional features can look best backed up against a wall, or fence where some are best left with space around them. The features can be used both indoors & outdoors so the possibilities are almost endless.

Hints and tips about electrical installation

The low voltage transformer used with many water features is rain proof however it should be placed in a free draining position. Ideally we always recommended that it is kept in a shed or outbuilding or inside a weather proof box. This will prolong the life of the transformer.

When the fountain is switched on the transformer may get hot, this is normal.

If connecting your water feature to a mains outlet outside it must be waterproof. We recommend the use of a residual current device (RCD) circuit breaker when connecting the fountain to an electrics supply.

Caring for your fountain

Your water feature maybe the final touch to a re-vamped garden and we would like to make sure that you have years of pleasure from it. 

• Always make sure the fountain has sufficient water in to ensure the pump is fully submersed.
• Clean and top the water up on a regular basis
• We recommended using Fountain Fresh to keep the water clean and clear.
• To clean the fountain you can use warm water and a cloth
• Always turn the power off to the fountain before maintain the pump.
• Never allow the pump to run dry and this will cause damage and invalidate the warranty.

How to look after your water feature once the temperature outside drops