Outdoor water features offer many benefits for your home. Not only do they give you a unique space to enjoy solo or entertain friends and family, but they can also add value to your property should you ever decide to sell. While these are all great reasons to transform your outdoor space with a water feature installation, pause before making it your next weekend warrior project.
We’re all for taking ownership of a project and enjoying the process, but when it comes to your new addition, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Let’s talk about the downsides of DIY outdoor water features and why water features installation professionals like us will save you the headache so you can get to enjoying your latest home update!
DIY Outdoor Water Features Problems
Whether you’ve looked into answering the question, “how do water features work?” and feel confident in your abilities or you’ve just got a craving to jump into your next weekend project, DIY outdoor water features don’t always work out the way you’d hoped. We want to make sure you get exactly the look you’ve envisioned so you can enjoy your new water feature installation to the fullest, so let’s talk about some of the things that could go wrong with DIY outdoor water features you can avoid by leaving it to the professionals such as:
- Wrong measurements
- Problems setting up water feature system discreetly and effectively
- Installation problems (identifying electrical, etc buried lines)
- Knowledge of local regulations, permitting, etc.
- Leaking problems from bad liner installation
- Choosing the wrong pump (size, efficiency)
Water Feature Measurements
Let’s start with the very first DIY outdoor water features issue that could derail your entire vision: measurements. You may be familiar with the saying, “measure twice, cut once,” but when you’re doing a big project like a water feature installation for the first time, chances are higher that you’ll make a mistake when it comes to the overall measurements.
Incorrect measurements bring immediate downsides to DIY outdoor water features because you might run short on materials, could go too big, or may end up with a tiny water feature that felt big enough, but wasn’t. All of these variables rest on the hope that homeowners who attempt DIY outdoor water features get their measurements just right the first time without experience.
Furthermore, consulting a water features installation professional can help ensure that you’ve considered all the aspects for your finished product in terms of size, design, stability, and more. Many homeowners err on the side of caution when attempting DIY outdoor water features and end up not enjoying the result. Leaving it to the professionals lets you sit back and relax knowing your vision is coming to life just how you’d hoped.
Setting up a Water Feature System in DIY Water Features
Next up as we explore the downsides of DIY outdoor water features is setting up the water feature system to keep your new installation running properly. While it may not seem too difficult to install, water feature professionals have years of experience putting together unique outdoor water features and know exactly what to consider and how to pivot when needed to ensure everything operates smoothly.
Do you know how to properly conceal a water feature pump in a reservoir for pondless waterfalls? What about ensuring the tubing for backyard fountains goes high enough to produce the effect you’ve envisioned? A water feature design professional will know just what to do to create the finished look you want, making it an easy choice against DIY outdoor water features.
Issues With How to Power a Water Feature
Another of the many potential downsides of DIY outdoor water features that you can avoid by hiring professionals is knowing how to power a water feature and running the necessary wires to do so. If a water fountain or pondless waterfall is up close to the house, it may be less complicated (albeit still potentially dangerous if done incorrectly), but what about a backyard pond with a waterfall feature? You’ll still need to power the water feature pump to recirculate water back to the top, meaning you may need to successfully run and conceal a power source so it doesn’t affect the overall look of your water feature design.
Water features installation professionals will know the best method for getting power to a backyard water feature and be able to do so much more safely. This is another instance where sitting back and knowing the work is being done right saves you time and keeps you safe!
Knowledge of Local Restriction on Water Features
Depending on your locality, different laws may be in place regarding the addition of outdoor residential water features. Professionals will be aware of any state and local ordinances governing water feature installation in Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Colonie, and the surrounding areas. This knowledge will help them create a water feature design that fits into your vision while staying within the letter of the law, as well.
Similar to building an unpermitted addition to expand your house, DIY outdoor features that go against any laws or ordinances can quickly become a headache for homeowners. It’s easiest to allow the professionals to do what they do best and give you exactly what you want.
Water Feature Leaking Problems
One of the most common downsides of DIY outdoor water features homeowners encounter are leaks. This can be a result of a wide variety of factors from using the wrong materials to gaps in the spout. Leaks can weaken the overall structure of your DIY outdoor water features, cause rapid water loss that increases operating costs, or require costly repairs that add extra water feature maintenance.
Leaving water feature installation to the professionals will ensure your newest project doesn’t turn into a recurring nightmare. Outdoor water features installed by professionals won’t leak and will be built with the right materials to provide longevity to your investment. After all, who wants to spend a time and a small fortune fixing DIY outdoor water feature problems when it could’ve just been done right to begin with?
Choosing the Wrong Water Feature Pump
Another common error adding to the downsides of DIY outdoor water features is choosing the wrong water feature pump. The pump is an essential part of the water feature system that recirculates water and keeps it operating smoothly. They are rated in terms of flow rate, usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM) although sometimes gallons per hour (GPH) is used, and pressure which is usually measured in PSI.
A pump that does not fit the needs or requirements to operate an outdoor water feature installation properly will inevitably cause problems for the homeowner down the line. Our water features installation professionals will know exactly what size pump you need to operate your water feature properly and to give you the effect you want.
As you can see, there are many potential downsides of DIY outdoor water features. These issues can be avoided by calling in a water feature installation professional to get the job done right. Along with proper installation, a professional will be able to help you design your entire water feature landscaping to give you the finished look of your dreams. Sit back, relax, and leave it to us!
Want to know more about water features? Check out these guides to make the right decision for your water feature installation this year:
