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2 x screen panels against a fence and a water feature on pebbles in a backyard

Overview

Water features are a great way to introduce calmness and peace into your space, and they are surprisingly easy (and cost-effective) to create. With a few select tools and materials, you can D.I.Y. this stylish and relaxing feature. Here's how. 

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (gloves, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

1Waterproof the pot

The first step will depend on what type of feature pot you’re going to use. If you have a porous pot, such as a terracotta pot, you will need to waterproof the inside. To do this, apply two coats of bitumen paint to the interior of your pot using a paintbrush. Make sure to wear gloves during the application process, and make sure you coat the entire interior surface. 

Since our feature pot is fibreglass, we don’t need to do this.

A pot with a container of bitumen paint on top of it

2Dig a hole

Choose where you’re going to place your water feature. Then, using a measuring tape, measure the diameter of the base of the water feature base. Mark out the same distance in your chosen spot; this is how big your hole will need to be. Now it’s time to start digging!

Once you have finished digging your hole, place the base in the hole. Use a spirit level to ensure it is level - both horizontally and vertically.

A person digging a hole in lawn

3Add the pump

Now that the base is level, place the pump inside the chamber of the water feature base and feed the cable for the power source through the side hole. We are using a solar power source, but powered pumps are also an option. When selecting a pump, you need to consider the power (also known as “head height”), as this will determine how high the water will pump up. With our water feature, we opted for the biggest solar pump available in order to pump the water up and over the height of our feature pot.

A person placing a pump inside a chamber of a water feature

4Attach poly riser

To get the water from the water feature base up to the feature pot, we’re going to use this poly riser, which simply screws into the pump. Once that’s secure, place the base lid on.

A person attaching a poly riser to a water feature

5Connect the extension with couplings

Position the pot over the riser and connect the extensions. You can use couplings to connect poly risers together until you reach the desired height of your pot.

A Bunnings Team Member connecting extensions in a water feature

6Secure with silicone

We’re going to use silicone to ensure the pot is watertight. Silicone is a useful material because of its durability and moisture-resistance, which ultimately prevents water leakage. Fill in the area where the bottom of the pot meets the riser.

A person putting silicone into the base of a pot

7Hide the base and cord

Lay some pebbles around the pot to hide the base of your water feature and to cover the cord between the pot and the power source.

If you wish, you can lay down weed matting around the base to prevent grass from growing through the pebbles. If you don’t use weed matting, other options including laying down some crushed rock first, followed by pebbles, or digging out the grassed area, laying down crushed rock and topping with pebbles.

A Bunnings Team Member putting pebbles on the base of a water feature

8Attach the fountain kit

Choose the fountain head attachment that will give you your preferred water effect. Push the fountain head onto the riser.

A Bunnings Team Member putting parts together for a water feature

9Add water

Now for the final touch: fill the pot and the base with water. This make take a few minutes. You can use the time to think about styling the surrounding area - adding decorative screens, for example, or planting magnolias.

A Bunnings Team Member putting water into a water feature

10Enjoy!

Sit back and relax with your brand-new water feature, enjoying the calming sounds of running water.

A water feature on pebbles and 2 x screen panels next to a fence

11Ready to start creating your water feature?

Explore our range of fibreglass pots.

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.