Controlling Splash or Leaks in Your Fountain

The further the water falls before it lands, the more energy it will have to dissipate, thus more splashing will occur.

Due to the fact that this section is about water, now may be the appropriate time for some comments about keeping the water in the bowl. Water falling into water creates some of the most pleasant sounds. The problem with this idea is that sound and splashing are often connected. You can minimize the problem of splashing. The design of the fountain is one factor in controlling the splashing.

The further the water falls before it lands, the more energy it will have to dissipate, thus more splashing will occur. It seems that water falling more than one and a half inches will result in splashing that is difficult to control. If the water is falling any less than one inch, the fountain is very quiet. The best design allows for the water to fall between one and one and a half inches. If your fountain is correctly designed and set up, it will be possible to keep the water level within the recommended range. As is often the case, there will be exceptions to this rule. Fountains that are made with animals that spit water from the beak from a distance of 18 inches or higher can be accommodated by adding splash guards.

The splash guards can be made out of a material like slate that will catch the splashes and deflect them back into the bowl. Without the splash guards, large wet spots would always be present when the fountain was running. Through the use of effective splash guards, not a drop of water will fly out of the fountain. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to add something to guard against splashing once you’ve discovered that your fountain splashes too much.

You can generally get the most sound out of your fountain, with the least amount of splashing, by correctly matching bowls to center supports to slate sets. It is generally not possible to prevent all splashing. Even the best designed fountains will occasionally spit out a random drop. These little drops can add up. If the water level in your fountain drops and you do not notice it, splashing may increase.

It is also possible that you will spill some water when filling the fountain. Because you may spill or you fountain may splash a bit, you should never put a fountain on a surface which cannot get wet. An antique wood table would not be a good place to put a fountain unless you have put a good coat of acrylic varnish on it in advance. It is best to make sure the fountain is on a trivet or some kind of stand to elevate it slightly from the tabletop. The extra height will allow air to circulate beneath the basin and will prevent condensation from wetting the tabletop. Do not place the fountain on delicate doilies.




 

Terms of use 

Guides To Home Decor:
Furniture & Designs || Waters & Pools || Outdoor Care || Indoor Window Design || Indoor Home Remodel