Waterfall decorations may accent a patio, garden or home interior. You can make waterfall decorations with such readily available materials as colorful mosaic tiles, slate tiles, copper foil, clear acrylic and river rock. A decorative planter works well as the reservoir for a waterfall, and the upright part of the structure can be made from marine or treated plywood. You can buy waterfall pumps and supplies from garden centers and online retailers.
Instructions
1. Select a rectangular planter that's at least 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Measure the inside width of the planter. Check the planter for drainage holes; seal any openings with plumber's putty.
2. Cut an 18-inch-long section of 1/2-inch-thick marine plywood. The width of the plywood must be 1 inch less than the inside width of the planter.
3. Measure 5 inches from one end of the plywood and draw a line. Cover one side of the plywood and both edges with mosaic tiles, up to the line. Attach the tiles using clear waterproof construction adhesive. Do not leave spaces between the tiles; you will not be grouting the tiled wall.
4. Glue one half-brick to the tiled side of the plywood, centered below the 5-inch line. The widest part of the brick should be facing the plywood, and the edge of the brick should be flush with the bottom edge of the plywood. Glue another brick that matches the first to the back of the plywood. The bricks create a stand for your waterfall decoration. Allow the glue to dry.
5. Cut a length of copper tubing that's 3 inches longer than the width of your mosaic plywood decoration. Center the tubing across the width of the mosaic. Bend each end around the plywood.
6. Glue a copper end cap to one end of the copper tubing with waterproof construction adhesive. Make sure that the pipe is sealed completely.
7. Drill a line of small holes along the length of the tubing between the bended sections. Space the holes every 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Glue the tubing across the top of the plywood so that the bends fit the sides and the holes are facing downward over the mosaic.
8. Glue the brick stand and the bottom edge of the plywood inside the planter with waterproof adhesive. Allow the adhesive to dry.
9. Install the submersible waterfall pump behind the mosaic decoration. Run plastic tubing from the spout on the pump to the open end of the copper tubing. Insert the plastic tubing inside the copper tubing to the bend. Secure the plastic to the tubing and to the back of the plywood with duct tape.
Tags: copper tubing, plastic tubing, back plywood, bottom edge, bottom edge plywood, brick should