PATIO POND RENOVATION in RYE, NY
2 Materials
$8500
4 Days
Medium
Utilizing this corner to create a pond was tougher than it looks. Small doesn’t always mean easy. This project made perfect use of an otherwise useless corner of the patio. The old pond needed expanding and although other locations were discussed the decision was made. Same place but more space was the prescription.
The old pond could be seen well from the deck above but didn’t have great exposure to the areas of the patio that were most often used for relaxing.
Draining the pond was the first step. Then all of those grey paver blocks would need to be removed. With all those stark white walls and the tight space, this one was gonna be a challenge.
With the paver blocks, water and stones out of the way the patio was cut out. Piece by piece it was removed to make room for the pond expansion
The patio is out and the old pond is removed. Time to get to work on the new design! Notice the piece of rubber liner that has been attached to the stucco finished wall on the right hand side. This area will be built up in elevation to create a waterfall. The soil prevents the moisture of the soil from coming in direct contact with the wall.
The pond was definitely going to become wider and deeper. Wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow it was removed from the site. That piece of corrugated pipe is waiting patiently for its chance to become a future fish cave.
The soil from the hole is used to fill in areas surrounding the feature and for building up the waterfall area. A protective layer of geotextile fabric, underliner, will be layed over this soil "frame" before the rubber liner is applied.
The addition of a skimmer will keep the surface of the pond clean and easy to maintain. The liner of the pond will be directly attached to the face of the skimmer.
With the pond shaped this project is ready to get lined and rocked. Notice the smooth line of the patio cut. This area will change, a new line will be scribed around the boulders of the water feature for a natural integrated look.
Water drawn through the skimmer is divided. Some water continues on to the waterfall, but some is diverted to an area underneath the deck where the filtration system is hidden. This filtration was from the old pond but was, luckily, so oversized that it could be used for this installation as well.
Rocks start to get placed with care on top of the liner. Many rocks are padded with an extra piece of underliner. The fish cave is dry fit and trimmed to size as the boulders are installed.
With a majority of the pond rocked in, it starts to appear a little more natural. Can you see the fish cave? One entrance is right underneath that piece of driftwood. A shallow area on top of the cave will be planted with aquatic plants
Just some edging work left to go. Making the edge blend with the surrounding areas gives a more natural look to the water feature.
A close up of the waterfall spillway 80% complete. Disguising the source of the water is easy with this unit. Water appears to flow out of a crack in the rocky landscape.
Filled with water and populated with some aquatic plants. This pond is turned on and all the flows through the filtration under the deck are adjusted. The customer now can increase or decrease the intensity of their waterfall via remote control.
Frequently asked questions
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