How to make a water feature © 2006 All Rights Reserved. Stuart Robinson

Step 1 Prepare a plot for your water feature to be built. Step 2 Plan to have your reticulation and electrical power source already positioned

Step 3 Place some boards to edge the concrete at a depth of 75mm (3in). Cut some steel mesh to fit.

Step 4 Cut some plastic large enough to cover the bottom and also above the sides. This is to stop seepage from your water feature through the concrete base

Step 5 Pour the concrete while keeping the steel mesh in the centre. Leave this to cure for a couple of days and keep it wet so that curing is slower and there is less chance of cracking.

Step 6 Starting at the back, build the walls required for your water feature.

Step 7 Continue building the bricks up making sure that each of the walls are bonded into each other

Step 8 Once you’ve finished building the walls leave it at least 24 hours before rendering.

Step 9 Render in the colour of your choice and leave dry to touch. Then begin to screed until smooth.

to be continued … What’s Next A mosaic is going to be applied to the face wall 3. A header brick course needs to be added 2. Water spouts need to be placed and connected 4. The inner water compartment needs to be lined 5. Safety steel mesh needs to be added Plants will then be planted 7. Fish will also be added

A mosaic is going to be applied to the face wall

Plants will then be planted