Inasmuch as we specailize in water features of all types, I will make some general comments here, then break them down into categories in future posts. There is truly nothing like the sound and motion of water in a landscape. Nature’s gurgling sounds, those of brooks or even the larger cascading roars are all possible to reenact in a landscape, right out one’s own door. The process is actually rather simple, and many have done their own, quite admirably and successfully. Indeed, for those who are inclined, some of the very best water features I have ever seen are those of “puttering” homeowners.
Like all landscaping projects, constructing a waterfall system, no matter of what ilk, whether formal or natural, requires intensive labor. Excavations are required, rocks and liners placed, cement work, electrical puzzles need fixing as well as the many and varied engineering problems which have to be borne in mind, including settling of soils after excavation and the new weight of water itself.
Professionals know these various items to watchful of. Splash loss, for example, water replacement, the times and duration, indeed, even the replacement system iself, are huge issues, unless one wants to consider manually filling his water feature daily in Summer when evaporation is such an issue.
In short, water features are complex. They possess many puzzles, some which only appear later for the unwary. Add that they are costly. An installation of a water feature is a “marriage”, of sorts. One wants to know those who constructed it and who are most familiar with its installation will be around in later seasons to help guide the homeowner in the proper direction for maintenance issues.
