How To Build a Small Backyard Pond

Darren Driscoll • May 02, 2013

how-to-build-a-small-backyard-pondThere’s a lot to be said for the beauty of a backyard pond, and since we work with water so much we thought we’d talk to you about how to build a small backyard pond, or as some people call them, a small water garden. A landscape water feature creates a very relaxing environment in your back yard.

Some people have used rather ingenious methods to use the water from their gutters to fill their ponds, topping them off with water from a hose only as necessary. A pond is a viable option for harvesting rainwater.

Here’s what you’ll need.

  • A pre-formed pond shell.
  • A shovel.
  • Flour to mark your dig site.
  • Sand.
  • A rake.
  • A filtration pump large enough to handle your pond (check the packaging).
  • A UV clarifier to keep algae out of you pond.
  • An outdoor GFCI outlet (get a professional installation if you don’t have one handy).
  • Large stones or pavers.
  • Gravel.
  • Plants, fish, and accessories as desired.

Be sure to call 811 before you begin the project. You do not want to knock out underground utility lines!

The first step is to find a place for your pond. It’s best to keep it at least 10 feet away from your foundation.

You also need to keep it away from overhead trees. If you’re hoping to have your gutters flow into your pond you’ll want to keep the placement of your downspouts in mind as well.

One of the most common configurations is to run a gentle slope from your downspout to your pond. These can be lined with soft-form pond liner, sand, gravel, and larger rocks to create a terraced waterfall that flows down to the pond in a controlled fashion. Keep this in mind if that’s the kind of set-up you want.

Once you’ve chosen your location you will need to mark out the inner and outer shape of the pond. Then you’ll need to dig deeply enough to fit your pond shape into the ground. Leave the outer lip just above the ground.

Then you’ll actually take the pond shape back out so you can even the ground out with a layer of sand. You can use the rake to smooth the sand down.

Once the sand is in place you can put the pond liner back into place. You’ll need a little more sand around the outer rim, and then you can start filling the pond with your hose to get it started.

Once the pond is full you’ll need to install the pump and UV clarifier. Each of these will have their own set of instructions depending on what you buy, so be sure to read them thoroughly.

After you’ve got the pump and clarifier in place you can add rocks and gravel to hide the pond liner. Then you can add any vegetation, fish, or accessories you like.

Here’s a video which outlines the entire process.

We’ve been installing seamless aluminum gutters in Brandon, FL and the rest of the Tampa Bay area for over 35 years. If you need help with your gutters don’t forget to call us for a free estimate.

By Darren Driscoll 17 Feb, 2020
Everybody wants to save money on home maintenance costs. We get it. Even if you realize the full extent of everything your gutters do to protect your home from water damage, you probably don’t want to spend an arm and a leg making it happen. So if you’re considering DIY gutter installation, hey, we can hardly blame you. After all, we know, and you know, that you could go grab a 6″ x 10″ aluminum K-style gutter in 10″ lengths for about $15 at your local Home Depot. So how do you know whether you should do that, or whether you [...] Seamless Gutters vs. Regular Gutters: Which is Best? is from Rain Control Gutters The post Seamless Gutters vs. Regular Gutters: Which is Best? appeared first on Rain Control Gutters.
By Darren Driscoll 03 Feb, 2020
If you’re hoping to find a gutter that can literally last a lifetime then galvalume gutters might appeal to you. These types of gutters can easily last 100 years or more if maintained properly. They’re also less expensive than copper gutters, which is another type of gutter that can last 100 years. Despite their longevity, it’s rare to see galvalume gutters on homes in our service area. In fact, in the 40+ years we’ve been in business we’ve never been asked to put galvalume gutters on a home. They aren’t as aesthetically appealing as copper or even seamless aluminum gutters that [...] What are Galvalume Gutters? is from Rain Control Gutters The post What are Galvalume Gutters? appeared first on Rain Control Gutters.
By Darren Driscoll 20 Jan, 2020
They gleam in the sunlight and are reminiscent of stately homes and churches from another era. There’s no denying that copper gutters are gorgeous. There are even people who will tell you they’re more eco-friendly than their aluminum counterparts. They’re also the most expensive type of gutter you can buy, so you will want to think carefully before deciding they’re right for you. What are the biggest benefits of copper gutters? There’s no denying copper gutters offer some impressive benefits. They don’t rust. They are algae-proof and fungi-proof. They’re structurally stable and sound. They’re durable and do a good job of standing up to our climate here [...] Are Copper Gutters Worth the Investment? is from Rain Control Gutters The post Are Copper Gutters Worth the Investment? appeared first on Rain Control Gutters.
By Darren Driscoll 03 Jan, 2020
Here in the Tampa metro area we get 54″ of torrential rain every year. That means most homeowners need strong, durable gutters capable of holding up to so much water. K-style gutters, also known as “ogee” gutters, are a great solution which allows homeowners to do just that. They hold more water than rounded gutters. They’re also tougher, doing a better job of standing up to water pressure, winds, and other stresses without bending or protruding. Finally, they blend in nicely with any style home so they always look great. It’s for these reasons why we only install K-Style gutters. K-Style Gutters: [...] What Are K-Style Gutters (aka Ogee Gutters)? is from Rain Control Gutters The post What Are K-Style Gutters (aka Ogee Gutters)? appeared first on Rain Control Gutters.
By Darren Driscoll 04 Oct, 2019
Todd Dudkewic has retired after over 40 years of owning and managing Rain Control Aluminum of Central Florida Inc. He’s sold the business to us, the Driscolls. We’ve always wanted to own a family business, so this is an exciting opportunity for us! We’re Darren and Gwen Driscoll, and we’re excited to step into Todd’s tradition of providing excellent, ethical rain gutter service to the residents of Central Florida. Darren worked with Todd for over a decade before taking this step. Darren comes from a management role at a very successful Master Elite Residential Roofing Company (Sharpe Professional Roofing, LLC). [...] Rain Control Aluminum of Central Florida Inc. is Now Rain Control Gutters is from Rain Control Gutters The post Rain Control Aluminum of Central Florida Inc. is Now Rain Control Gutters appeared first on Rain Control Gutters.
By Darren Driscoll 29 Jun, 2019
When you’re gearing up to sell your home you usually don’t want to put too much money into it. After all, you won’t be around to enjoy it. But putting money into things that can make your home sell for a lot more is a smart investment. And while most people think about kitchens and bathrooms first, gutter guards are a right choice if you position them correctly (and if you buy the right ones). How Gutter Guards Can Help You Sell Think about it. What’s the number one commodity most people are hurting for? What’s the number one thing that brings people [...] Why You Should Invest in Flo-Free Leaf Guards Before Selling Your Home is from Rain Control Gutters The post Why You Should Invest in Flo-Free Leaf Guards Before Selling Your Home appeared first on Rain Control Gutters.
By Darren Driscoll 01 Jun, 2019
You might wonder why on earth a seamless gutter company would publish a list of their competitors, but at Rain Control Gutters, we believe in putting the customer first! Installing seamless aluminum gutters is a major investment in your home, and we know you’ll want to do your research to make sure you’re getting the best service and value. We started a similar list of the best gutter installers in Tampa a few years ago. We got such positive feedback for putting such a list together we thought we’d do it for other cities starting with Odessa, FL. Here are five seamless gutter [...] 5 Best Seamless Gutter Installers in Odessa, FL in 2019 is from Rain Control Gutters The post 5 Best Seamless Gutter Installers in Odessa, FL in 2019 appeared first on Rain Control Gutters.
By Darren Driscoll 28 May, 2019
On our blog we’ve done a lot of talking about hurricanes. It’s only natural. We help people manage the way weather effects their home. And hurricanes are not only a whole lot of weather, they’re almost a fixture in the Tampa metro area.   This year NOAA predicts a normal hurricane season, with 9 to 15 named storms. 4 to 8 of those could become hurricanes. And they predict at least 2 to 4 major hurricanes.   We’ve gathered a few resources to help people in our service area make it through hurricane season, safe and sound. Some of these resources are elsewhere [...] Be Prepared: Hurricane Season 2019 is from Rain Control Gutters The post Be Prepared: Hurricane Season 2019 appeared first on Rain Control Gutters.
By Darren Driscoll 30 Apr, 2019
Nobody spends a lot of time taking Pinterest photos of their gutters or talking about them on HGTV. But they’re one of the most important parts of your house.   Especially in the Tampa metro area! Our torrential rains are no joke.   Your gutters protect your home. Which means your gutter contractor had best be someone good at his or her job.   But how can you know?   You’ve got to do a little research. Here are some things to look for. 1. A ton of positive reviews. Look, customers aren’t exactly unaware of Google+, Yelp, and Facebook recommendations.   If a gutter company can’t get great reviews, something’s [...] 5 Things to Look For When Hiring a Gutter Contractor is from Rain Control Gutters The post 5 Things to Look For When Hiring a Gutter Contractor appeared first on Rain Control Gutters.
By Darren Driscoll 30 Mar, 2019
Water damage is brutal. It can ruin both your home and your belongings. It can leave behind mold, an even more destructive force. And if you’re not mitigating your water damage risk because you think insurance will cover everything, you may be in for a rude awakening. Insurance is for emergencies. Homeowner’s insurance typically covers things like tree limbs falling and tearing a hole in your roof, or tornadoes ripping the shingles away. It doesn’t cover basic maintenance failures, or even, always, the results of those maintenance failures. “If the damage is not sudden or accidental, but instead is the result of a [...] What’s Covered in a Water Damage Insurance Claim? is from Rain Control Gutters The post What’s Covered in a Water Damage Insurance Claim? appeared first on Rain Control Gutters.
More Posts
Share by: