Indoor Water Features Relax and Enliven

We're prepared to pay a fortune for a waterside home or holiday as we love the soothing sound and sight of moving water. No wonder then that we love to have a fountain in the home or on the patio. And no wonder that Feng Shui practitioners recommend the careful, thoughtful placement of a water feature or fountain within the home.

The size of indoor water features varies from large wall mounted units which create sheets of water to tiny units which can easily be placed on a sideboard or coffee table.

Indoor water features or fountains present a particular problem: the risk of water leakage and damage. Make sure that water does not splash out of the system. A poorly adjusted pump can be a disaster. Also ensure that the system is coated with the correct type of waterproofing agent.

If the water feature you have purchased does not include a pump, then there are a few things which need to be considered in making the best choice of pump. The most important factor is the height that the pump needs to lift the water. Every pump has a limit to how high it can lift water: the higher the lift the slower the flow, until the flow ceases altogether. This is called the "head". You will be able to get information regarding the amount of flow which the pump generates at different heights from the manufacturer or reseller.

The indoor water fountain has to be very well seal-coated to protect the many non-water resistant surfaces inside our homes. There are a number of durable products on the market from which you can choose. For water features constructed from attractive materials a product such as Pondtite Clear works admirably. The clear finish allows the beauty of the base material - such as carved limestone - to show through.

There are many water repellent products on the marker which do a great job of repelling moisture and minimizing the risk of staining from contaminants of algal growth, however most of these products are not designed to cope with being constantly wet or immersed in water.

I coat all surfaces in constant water contact with Pondtite Clear. All the rest of the porous surfaces, including the outside are coated with a water repellant (there are many on the market suitable for porous materials such as limestone) to avoid mould or algal growth. Good quality products allow natural moisture levels to vary slightly with ambient conditions while resisting the entry of excess moisture. It's also advisable to coat the base with a water repellant, especially with materials such as limestone.

The shape, height and flow surfaces of the water feature are designed to create complex flows to the water, thus generating the intriguingly varied sounds of running water that we love . No two water features generate the same sound. And as a result the pump needs to be set to both tune the sound and avoid water splashing outside of the system. The pump must have a flow control adjustment.

And we don't want to hear the pump, just the water. Make sure you choose a very quiet pump for a small indoor fountain or water feature.

Anti-scratch pads are also good to avoid scuffing and also to make moving the water feature a little bit easier.

Once all the above is settled, we can think about how light can sparkle off the water. Natural light from a window can be balanced by thoughtful placement of a small spot and/or fill lighting to accentuate the architectural form. Thoughtful lighting can make a quirky object enchanting and an object of beauty magical.

Relax, listen, watch, enjoy.

Maya Creations Water Features
Water features and water fountains for indoor and outdoor use