Are you looking for a way to add to your home décor while also helping to reduce stress? If so, you may want to consider incorporating a water feature into your living space. Studies have found that simply being near water has a calming influence on our lives, allowing us to reach a better mental and emotional state.
With the high price tag to purchase a water wall, you may believe that adding one to your home is out of reach.
Good news! With a little hard work and dedication, you can make your own natural stone water wall for a fraction of the cost. To help you get started, we’ve put together this easy-to-follow guide. Let’s get started…
Table of Contents
You Will Need:
- A sheet of plywood
- Lumber for framing your structure
- Tile backer board/Waterproof membrane
- Large container or basin for the base
- Slate tiles or other stone tiles
- 4 Casters
- Pond liner
- Waterproofing stain or clear wood sealant
- Copper pipes
- Small submersible pump
Step One: Construct the Frame
Measure the height of the ceiling in the room where you plan on placing your water wall. This will provide you with a guideline as to how tall your structure can be when it’s completed. Using lumber, construct a frame that is deeper at the base than it is at the top. This detail will help to reduce any splashback from the water movement when your water wall is completed. A recommended sizing, if it fits in your room, is to build the frame 6 feet tall, with the sides of the frame 3 inches wide at the top and 12 inches wide at the bottom. Secure the sheet of plywood to the face of the water wall frame.
Step Two: Prepare the Wall for Tile
Prepare your water wall for tile by covering the face of the structure with a tile backer board. Place a 2×2 board on each side of the structure face to create a trough, effectively directing and containing the water as it flows down the face of the wall.
Step Three: Add the Base
Once the face of the water wall is prepared, it’s time to incorporate the base. If you have a pre-assembled base, this step is relatively easy. Install the casters on the bottom of the base to make the whole structure easier to move when it’s fully assembled. If you don’t have a premade basin that you are using for the base of your water wall, you can build your own. Line the base with a pond liner to ensure that it’s watertight. Mount the wall inside the base with the back of the wall frame securely against the back of the base.
Step Four: Tile and Stain/Seal the Water Wall
Adhere your slate tiles onto the backer board and grout as you would a shower. Pay careful attention to the grouting to ensure that everything is sealed and ready for exposure to water. Using a stain in a color that complements your slate tiles, or a clear wood sealant, stain the wooden surfaces of the water wall to protect them from the risk of water damage.
Step Five: Assemble Plumbing
Using copper piping, assemble a T-shape that extends up the rear of the water wall and across the top, just slightly shorter than the width of the wall. This will direct water down each side of the wall to provide for better water coverage across the tiled surface. Install a small submersible pump in the base of the water wall, with the output directed into the copper piping.
Step Six: Add Water and Enjoy
Position your water wall in your room where you want it to be featured. Fill the base with water before plugging in the pump. The water wall will not only add to the decor in your room but also offers the comforting benefits of running water in your living space. To prevent algae or scaling, empty your water wall and fully clean it once a month.
Create a Conversation Piece Without Breaking the Bank
By following these six steps, you can create a beautiful conversation piece for your home or office that will impress your family and friends. If desired, you can add a personal touch to your water wall by choosing a different stain or paint color for the wood or selecting a different type of tile for the front covering of the wall itself. Your new water wall will elevate the décor in any indoor space!
