Water features like ponds and fountains make a great addition to an otherwise bland yard. They give your yard a sense of life that you don’t get when you only use plants or flowers for decoration. However, you’ll need to think about a few important factors when you’re deciding if this is what you want for your yard. We’ll go over what to consider before adding a water feature to your yard so that you can get a better idea of if it’s the right decision for you.
Building Regulations
Installing a larger water feature will most likely involve digging into the ground of your property. However, any time you want to dig or remove a lot of dirt, you need to make sure that you have permission to do so. Some areas may have pipes or wires that you risk damaging if you don’t look into the regulations and infrastructure surrounding your property. Calling your utility company for help can ensure that you don’t hit anything important and that you’ll be able to hook up your water feature’s pump correctly.
Location
Wanting to put in a water feature is all well and good, but you also need to think about the space you’ll displace once you install it. How much space in your yard are you willing to dedicate to this new endeavor? You also need to consider the surrounding plant life and how they might interact with the water. Plus, for larger installations, you’ll want some cover from the sun.
Marine Life
If you’re installing something like a pond, you may want to add wildlife like fish into it as well. Before you do, make sure you fully understand the needs of those specific fish species so that you can treat the water properly and make the feature deep enough for them. Not every fish will thrive in every pond, so make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Maintenance
An important thing to consider before adding a water feature in your yard is how much time and effort it will take to maintain it. If you install a pond on your property, it’s up to you to maintain its health unless you want it to become an eyesore. You’ll need to consider the ecosystem surrounding the pond and how maintaining your pond in the summer will be different than doing so in the winter. The installation isn’t the last cost you’ll incur from your new water feature as you continue to take care of it.