With television screens and family photos migrating from table tops to inside walls, waterfalls and fountains have joined in also, making it possible to introduce the soothing sound of falling water to most any space-challenged place.
The expanding options in size and style for residential, interior wall-mounted waterfalls also are opening up choices in such materials as copper and lightweight slates and resins. And with models ranging from under $100 to well over $10,000, there’s a price point for nearly every budget.
“You can get many choices, with the pumps included for as little as $69.99,” said Carl Sefa, a pond installer at Valley View Farms in Cockeysville.
If you are dazzled by the idea of a mesmerizing wall-hung waterfall, the experts say something to consider before making that buy is where it is going to go. “You want it where you can hear the water running,” said Sefa. “So put it where you will be sitting or eating if you want the meditative sound you are going for.”
Once the location is decided, the kind of water that is used is important. Water fountains, which operate with common aquarium grade pumps, are not maintenance and worry free. Like aquariums, they can have residue buildups.
Hard water from the tap typically leaves a white ring buildup over a few days time that can spoil the beauty and function of the fountain, warned Shane Liddell, owner of Serenity Health.com in Altoona, Wisc., and that can mean a lot of maintenance. So thinking preventively is key.
“With distilled water, things go easier,” he said. “It has been treated” to remove most of the elements in harder tap water that contribute to the need for constant cleaning.
Besides being a good way to soothe the nerves, the water fountain also appears to be good for air quality. “It’s a natural humidifier,” said Liddell. “And dust in the air is pulled to the water.”
Still, “a change of the water every couple of days is a good idea,” Sefa suggested.
The fountains can be hung easily with heavy-duty brackets that most retailers provide along with instructions. Some retailers will even send installers to the home. And many fountains are as easy to hang as a framed picture. But before hanging consider the power source. An electrician will be needed to install an outlet if none exists.
If an outlet does exist on the target wall, be sure it is a gfi (ground fault interrupter), said Sefa. “If not, change it for safety. That way, if any [moisture] from the fountain gets near the plug it will
kick off.”
