Wiring for a Water Feature
A water feature adds beauty, drama and calming sound to any backyard. Whether you install a small fountain to provide water for birds and small wildlife or go all-out with a pond that supports fish, frogs and aquatic plants, you’ll enjoy your water feature all spring and summer long.
Keep It Pumped
The sound of splashing, rolling water adds tranquility to your yard. It’s also a smart idea from a practical sense. A pond with still water is an open invitation to mosquitoes, whose annoying presence will kill everyone’s outdoor fun. Get the most out of your water feature by installing a pump that will keep the water moving.
Try a Kit
You can buy fountains, ponds and other water features that come ready-to-use with a pump already attached. These are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes and you’re certain to find one that works for your garden.
You can also buy small, tabletop fountains that will make a welcome addition to your outdoor dining area. Whether you go big or small, make sure you wire the pump correctly.
Keep It Grounded
As we all know, water and electricity don’t mix and that’s especially true in the outdoors when wires can be ruined by rain, mud, and dampness. Protect yourself by using outlets with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). Make sure that the wiring you use is rated for outdoor use.
Dig Deep
Instead of running wiring from a panel across the lawn, bury the wiring. For safety’s sake, you should bury it in a trench roughly a foot deep. Protect the wiring that meets the panel with PVC piping. When it comes to electricity and water, you can never be too safe.
Plan for a Panel
Using a separate circuit panel for our water feature will prevent overloading of your home’s circuit. You won’t have to worry about messy, tangled wires or extension cords. You’ll also be ready if you install lighting, a sound system or other electric-powered features to your backyard.
Get Professional Help
No matter how many safety precautions you take, nothing beats the security and peace of mind you’ll feel when you let a professional electrician do your outdoor wiring for you. Why spend your day sweating it out over the right wiring, outlets, and grounding? Instead, spend it relaxing by your brand-new, safely installed water feature.
Fence It In
A water feature attracts birds and wildlife. It’s also attractive to small children and pets. If you’re concerned about them falling in or getting entangled in the wires, place a decorative fence around it. You’ll keep children and pets out of harm’s way and add a decorative element at the same time.
Fill It Up
Once your water feature and pump are safely and properly set up, the final step is to fill it with water, flip the switch and enjoy the soothing sounds of a fountain. Your fountain will bring birds and friendly insects to your garden, turning it into an oasis of sound, color, and tranquility.
Call SESCOS for Expert Help
If your garden plans include a water feature, give SESCOS a call. We’ll take the work and worry off your hands and ensure that your fountain is properly set up and safely installed. SESCOS provides safe, expert installation of all your electrical appliances, from fountains to ceiling fans to whole-house generators. Call SESCOS today and get ready for a relaxing summer.