Primrose offers a with a vast array of water features from classical tiered stone fountains to rusting corten features and charming self-contained woodland creature sculptures. Your pump can be mains-powered, or you can choose an easily-installed and put-it-anywhere solar water feature or birdbath fountain. Whatever your choice, we’ll show you how to install your new water feature.
Quick Links: General Guide | Water Feature Location | Water Wall Fountains | Tired Water Feature Installation | Reservoirs | Water Supply And Power | Solar Powered Features | Frost And Features
NOTE: The most important thing to remember is that pumps should not be switched on unless they are underwater. They are designed to be cooled and protected by the water, so running them dry will cause damage.
General Guide to Fitting your Water Feature
The water feature below shows a ‘dig a hole’ in the ground reservoir.
Step 1 Measure size hole against the reservoir you are using.
Step 2 Place the reservoir in the hole.
Step 3 Attach the fittings together.
Step 4 Attach the Pump to the bottom of the Water Feature.
Step 5 Fill reservoir with water and place the reservoir lid on the top.
Step 6 Attach the feature to the pump.
Enjoy your new Water Feature!
* Please note that due to updates to products, reservoir models may be subject to change. You may drill holes into any of our plastic reservoir lids in order to create the required fixing points.
Why do some Water Features come without a plug?
We don’t always supply a plug with a water feature, it depends on the product, style of feature, pump supplied and likely location that the product maybe installed. All of our products are designed for ease of installation there are however, a specific set of rules set out by the building regulations which must be adhered too: “Building Regulations – Part P” this is a government directive which states that any NEW PERMANENT household or garden electrical supply must be installed by a competent Part P Certified electrician. Some of our products wont require a permanent installation, its worth considering a number of things in order to ensure you safely install your feature or seek the help and advice of a qualified electrician.
- Where are you going to place your product?
- Is there available power already in the garden? – outdoor sockets for example.
- Will it be permanently in this location?
- Do you have existing power in the garden near the location?
If in any doubt seek the advice of a Part P Certified electrician. Fill details of Part P available here.
Self Contained
Some of our water features are self-contained, this means that everything you need is included. You just need to add water and connect to an ordinary household power socket. Some simple self-assembly may be required, such as connecting a tube to the pump.
Location
- Bear in mind the practicality of power supply and maintenance as well as were best to view them.
- Consider viewing the feature from inside the house: the use of simple outdoor spotlighting can make the feature even more impressive at night.
- If you choose a position beneath a tree or over hanging shrubs, think of cleaning it. Trees can drip a sticky deposit, and all will drop leaves or needles.
- The larger features may need two people to fit, but most can be installed by one person.
Wall Fountains
These are hung on the wall by a securely fixed screw or nail. The feature is then hooked into place by a picture hanger or an indent in feature itself. The pump is housed under the water and not usually visible. A small tube then feeds the water up behind the feature to cascade down again.
- Firstly, screw the lower base on to the stand. Use the in-built guides to align the base correctly and then screw it in firmly.
- Then, feed the pump’s power cable through the central pipe. Place the central pillar section over the pump to cover it using the guides. Install the second basin using the same method.
- Then, install the remaining components separately, ensuring the tube is fed through the centre. Guide the tube through the pipe securely and screw the components together.
- Finally, connect the pipe to the pump and enjoy
Reservoirs
If the feature has a reservoir that requires sinking underground, then the ground can be marked out to the exact size using perhaps a stick, gravel or sand. Sit the reservoir in the hole and make sure it is level. If you have enough room sit the pump on a flat stone so that it is not on the bottom of the reservoir and so helping the pump stay clear.
Water Supply and Power
None of our features need a water supply, just fill with water on installation, and the water circulates.
Most powered units come with a 10 metre electric cable without a plug, except solar powered features. Run the cable into an outdoor socket, or into a garage or shed. You can extend the cable if you need.
If you run the cable under ground, you should use armoured trunking to stop digging though it by accident.
Solar Powered Features
Solar powered features are self contained and work in direct sunlight. To install plug the solar panel into the pump and put it in a sunny position. Solar water features do not store energy – the water flows only during direct sunlight.
Lighting
Use of lighting in a water feature can make your garden look stunning from dusk to dawn. One or two simple spotlights can highlight the feature so that you won’t want to close your curtains.
Frost and freezing: will this affect my water feature?
The following is a guide to help you make an informed decision. Please contact us for more information if you need it.
When water freezes, it expands. This expansion is what causes frost damage. For example; outdoor pipes and taps often split because the water inside the copper pipe freezes. This forces the copper to expand beyond the limit of its flexibility, causing cracking. When the ambient temperature rises and the ice inside melts, the tap or pipe starts to leak. Insulation jackets are often purchased to protect outdoor pipes and taps from freezing.
When a body of standing water freezes
If you left a cup of water outside and the water froze, the cup would almost certainly break. Even if the cup were made of metal, it has the potential to break – this is what happens with the outdoor taps.
Freezing water has the power to crack metal. It all comes down to the flexibility of the material that surrounds the body of water.
Depending on the type of water feature, standing water can occur in various places
– in an underground reservoir. If the underground reservoir is made of plastic, this will may not be a problem because it will be flexible. However, cracking can still occur in severe frosts.
– in the tubes that transport the water from the reservoir to the top of the feature
– in any above-ground reservoir. This might be the main reservoir of a self-contained feature, or it might be a small reservoir which has been created for the design appearance – for example the bowls in a terracotta cascade feature.
It is advisable to drain a water feature if there is any chance of water inside it freezing.
To surfaces caused by water ingress
Surface damage is dependent on the type of surface. For example, terracotta planters are notorious for frost damage.
(Terracotta is often porous, depending on the temperature at which it was fired.) Small amounts of water seep into the surface of the planter. When this water freezes, it cracks the surface, causing small amounts of the terracotta to flake off.
Examine the surface of the feature – if it is even slightly porous, there is a risk of surface damage caused by frost.
If there is a chance of surface damage, the feature should be brought inside or inside a garage, or covered to reduce the chances of freezing.
Pumps can be damaged if they are left in a body of water that freezes, or if water is left inside the pump which then consequently freezes.
To be confident, it is advisable to drain a water feature if there is any chance of water inside it freezing.
If there is a chance of surface damage, the feature should be brought inside or inside a garage, or covered to reduce the chances of freezing.