Expert Tips for Designing a Stunning Slate Water Feature

A water feature can transform your garden into an oasis of calm. And with a wealth of water feature ideas out there, it can be tricky to choose. 

 

Whether you opt for a fish pond, waterfall, fountain, or even a simple bird bath, using slate to bring your vision to life will always be an extremely popular choice.  

 

Selecting the Perfect Slate: Choosing the Right Material for Your Water Feature

 

A slate water feature can bring style and natural beauty to your garden, but it’s important to get it right. Choosing high-quality slate will mean it is less likely to crack or discolour over time. 

 

Captivating Ideas for Incorporating Slate into Garden Water Features 

Slate Waterfall

Create a stunning focal point by building a waterfall using layers of slate. The running water creates a tranquil atmosphere and is a desirable focal point for any garden. 

Slate Spillway

Use a combination of slate slabs and dedicated spillway bowls to create a sleek stand-alone feature where water flows from one level to another. Learn more about spillway bowls here

Slate Fountain

Carve or stack slate pieces to create a unique fountain structure. These 'Babbling Brook', or slate rockery fountains, provide a rustic charm ideal for cottage gardens. Our Large Slate Rockery or Large Slate Paddlestones are perfect for this. The image below shows a slate water fountain using our Plum Slate Rockery and Blue Slate Rockey.

Slate Birdbath

Craft a stylish birdbath using a large slate as the basin. Add natural beauty to the garden as birds bathe and drink in this elegant yet functional feature.

Slate Pond Edging

Use slate pieces as decorative edging stones around a pond or water feature, creating a beautiful contrast.

Slate Rain Curtain

Install a slate rain curtain where water flows off the edge of a slate surface to form a sheet of glistening running water.

Essential Steps for Constructing a Sturdy Water Feature Base

Site Preparation

First, choose where in the garden you want to install your water feature. Double check that there are no pipes buried where you are planning to dig. Consider factors such as sunlight, visibility, proximity to power sources, access to water and local regulations.

Next, clear the area and mark the dimensions of the base. The easiest way to do this is turn the base upside down and mark around the edge with spray or with your spade.

Dig a Hole

Work using the dimensions of your reservoir or ‘pond area’. Keep digging until you can place the reservoir inside and the lip is either flush to the surface or just below it. Remove any debris or rocks to create a smooth surface.

Compact the Soil

Use a compactor, tamper or tap with your spade to compact the soil at the bottom of the hole. This will provide a stable foundation for the base.

Create a Level Base

Add a layer of gravel, crushed stone or builders sand over the compacted soil. Hoe or rake your base until it is flat and level. This will prevent the base from shifting or sinking. 

Don’t worry if you can’t quite get the base millimetre perfect, but it does need to be fairly level to prevent any unnecessary water loss.

Creating a water feature, such as a pond, fountain, or waterfall, involves several key steps to ensure it is aesthetically pleasing, functional, and properly maintained. Here are the main steps to creating a water feature.

Install the Liner or Base 

Add a Protective Underlayment: Place a protective underlayment over the excavated area to cushion the liner and protect it from punctures. 

Install the Liner: Place the flexible pond liner for ponds and waterfalls or rigid liner for smaller features over the underlayment. Make sure it extends beyond the edges of the excavation to prevent leaks. - 

Secure the Liner: Use rocks, bricks, or landscape staples to hold the liner in place while you fill it with water. 

Install the Pump and Plumbing 

Position the Pump: Install the pump in the lowest part of the water feature. Submersible pumps are typically used for smaller water features, while external pumps are used for larger ones. - 

Lay the Plumbing: Connect the pump to the plumbing (hoses, pipes) that will deliver water to the desired location, such as a waterfall spillway or fountain nozzle. - Conceal the Plumbing: Bury the hoses or pipes under rocks, gravel, or soil to hide them and make the installation look natural. 

Fill with Water and Test the System 

Fill the Feature: Slowly fill the water feature with water. As you fill, check for any issues with the liner placement or stability of the rocks. - Test the Pump and Filtration: 

Turn on the pump to ensure proper water circulation. Check for leaks and make any necessary adjustments. If using a filtration system, ensure it is functioning correctly. 

Finishing Touches and Adjustments 

Adjust the Water Flow: Adjust the pump settings to control the water flow and achieve the desired effect, whether a gentle trickle or a vigorous cascade. 

Finalise Landscaping: Finish any remaining landscaping around the water feature, such as planting flowers, shrubs, or grasses. - 

Add Lighting (Optional): Consider installing underwater or landscape lighting to enhance the feature’s visual appeal at night.

 

Addressing Challenges in Stone Water Feature Construction

When installing a new slate water feature, it’s best to anticipate any challenges you might encounter at each stage so you can plan for them in advance. 

Design and Planning

Consider whether you’ll have access to water. You also need to judge whether the ground might be too uneven for what you have in mind. 

Site Assessment

Check the soil condition and drainage patterns. Also, look for underground obstacles like tree roots and mains pipes underground.

Material Selection

Make sure the stone you select can handle the weight and water pressure of your feature. Our premium stones, sourced directly from our trusted partner quarries in the UK, offer the durability and reliability you need to ensure your water feature will last for years to come.

Proper Drainage 

Effective drainage is essential to prevent damage to the stone and surrounding areas.

Professional Installation

If you lack experience or resources for lifting heavy items, consider hiring a contractor or landscaper. 

Maintenance

Plan for regular checks to make sure your slate water feature is in good condition. Carry out any repairs, cleaning jobs and debris removal as and when required.

Utilising Pond Edging Stones for a Seamless Integration

Once your pond or reservoir is installed, choosing which edging to use is a chance to showcase your creative side and add some finishing touches. 

 

Using a pond rockery as edging by using large pebbles or rockery stones creates an organic, natural look. You can emphasise this further by introducing lighting and edging plants to soften the edges, blending your pond and the surrounding space. 

Browse our large pebbles here

Browse our rockery stones here

If the natural look doesn’t match your style, pond edging slabs can create a much more formal, geometric finish which could provide an attractive contrast to the pond itself, especially if you add different colours and sizes of slabs to your design. 

Browse pond edging here

Keeping Your Stone Water Feature Clean and Well-Maintained

There are a few seasonal steps you can follow to keep your water feature in great condition: 

In Spring and Summer:

• Water can quickly evaporate under the sun’s rays, so top it up regularly. 
• Remove any unwanted debris that you find. 
• Give your water feature a deep clean:
• Drain the water and use a soft-bristled brush to scrape away moss and lichen from the slate.  
• Add a drop of environmentally-friendly detergent to a bucket of clean, warm water.
• Use the warm water and a soft brush to gently remove any dirt. 
• Use an old toothbrush to get into tight spots the soft brush can’t reach.
• Rinse the water feature with clean water, drain and allow it to dry naturally.
• Keep algae at bay with regular cleaning and by using a wildlife-friendly algaecide or UV steriliser, especially if your water feature is in a sunny spot.
• Cut back any overgrown plants that may be surrounding or hanging over your water feature. 

 

In Autumn and Winter:

• Remove any fallen leaves and twigs.
• If you can, drain all of the water. If you can’t, you might need to take other measures, like placing a tennis ball in a fountain bowl (this will help to stop the water from freezing solid during mild frosts but may not be enough in extreme cold). 
• Make sure your water feature is fully covered to protect it from harsh weather. 
• Dismantle and clean the pump, before storing in a frost-free location submerged in a bucket of clean water to prevent the seals from drying out. 

 

At Stone Warehouse, we’re ready to help you create a beautiful slate water feature that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Browse our product range and get ready to start your next project. 

 

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