Water features can be a beautiful addition to any business front. Having the ability to make your business stand out from the crowd and be very welcoming can help you to get interest in your products and your services from the jump. There is just something so welcoming and special about having a water feature added to your business façade that just draws people in.
Trench drains are often a key component of managing your water feature so that you can enjoy the benefits of this kind of curb appeal item without some of the common negatives. You need to be aware of all of the considerations that will ensure that your water feature doesn’t turn into an issue after you get it installed in front of your store.
Considerations When Building a Water Feature
1. Drainage
As mentioned above, you need to be sure that your water feature has good drainage around it. There is nothing worse than installing a water feature and having it make a huge, flooded mess because of overspray or other issues that you did not prepare for.
Having the right drainage in place is really easy. You just need to install a quality trench drain system that will help you deal with overspray and other water management needs. This will ensure that your fountain will not impact the safety of walkways and other areas around the fountain or lead to standing water in places where you do not want to have water pooling for any reason.
This is a common issue when it comes to water features, as people don’t realize just how much drainage is really required for this kind of area. Just make sure that you have drainage in mind when you are planning out your water feature addition, and you will avoid lots of headaches later on.
2. Sunlight Exposure
Sunlight has a big impact on the pH of your fountain or water feature. When these items are not in the full sun, they can be prone to algae and other kinds of overgrowth that need to be attended to. Fish and other natural solutions can help keep algae and greenery at bay. There are also lots of simple ways to keep the pH correct if your water feature will be in the shade most of the year.
This is one of those concerns that is easy to remedy but which can sneak up on people who are not prepared for the impact of the sunlight on their pond or fountain. You will also need to be sure that you take into consideration the sunlight needs of any plants or fish that are part of the water feature as well. Controlling things like mosquitos and plant overgrowth can be complicated if you do not have the right balance of natural items in your water feature.
Many companies excel at creating a self-sustaining biome for your water feature, and this is most critical when it comes to ponds. You want to be sure that you have the right kind of fish and plants in your pond or fountain so that you don’t have to constantly replace items throughout the year.
3. Indoor vs Outdoor
Indoor and outdoor water features need different kinds of maintenance. You will find unique challenges for both kinds of water features. Water features that are inside will need to be kept squeaky clean or they can impact the smell and air quality of your lobby area, for example. You will also need to consider the height that the fountain will spout to if it is going to be inside.
Drainage is important for both kinds of water features, whether they are inside or outside, and you need to be able to get to the pump and other components of the water feature system with ease. There is nothing worse than a design that places the pump and other critical components in a place that is really hard to get to. This is particularly tough when fountains and ponds are placed indoors, and servicing them and caring for them becomes really time-intensive and even expensive.
4. Maintenance
Your water feature will need regular care. Think of it a lot like a swimming pool or a hot tub. You need to be able to keep the water clean, keep the water pH right, and ensure that all the various added items like plants and fish are fed and cared for as well.
Water features that are not maintained can quickly become dirty and foul-smelling, and you will want to avoid this at all costs. Being sure that you have a maintenance plan in place can help to ensure that your water feature continues to look beautiful during every season. Most businesses hire a skilled maintenance team to tackle this need as it is often a little bit complex and it requires some experience to do the work efficiently.
Water Features Can be Ideal for Your Business With Correct Planning
If you have been worried about the care and planning of your water feature, this guide will be a big help. You should plan for proper drainage to be installed around your water feature and you need to take care to place the pump and other key components where they can be accessed with ease. Be sure as well that you think about the sunlight exposure on your water feature and the maintenance needs that this kind of added curb appeal item will require.
Having a set plan in place when you are building a water feature can help you avoid the common frustrations that lead to people hating their new fountain or pond once they have put it in. Being prepared for the cost of caring for your water feature can also help. This is one of the best ways to make your business’ exterior or lobby space stand out from the crowd and if you plan properly, it should be no trouble to add a water feature to your business location.
