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DIY Drinking Fountain

Heather Topham Wood

If you want to enjoy drinking water outdoors, you could build an outdoor drinking fountain. An outdoor water fountain is typically not a project for beginners and could become complicated depending on what type of fountain you want to create. Laying pipe for an outdoor water fountain is a job best left to professionals and should only be done by individuals familiar with plumbing work.

Drinking fountains are a difficult project for beginners.

Step 1

Choose a spot in your yard for the water fountain. Ideally, keep the water fountain relatively close to your property to limit the amount of pipe you need to use. Turn off the water on the property before installing the fountain.

Step 2

Saw a piece of the three-inch copper pipe the length you desire for your outdoor water fountain. Drill a hole in the end of the three-inch copper pipe near the center of the cap.

Step 3

Install the drinking fountain bubbler in the copper cap. Use a mounting nut to keep the bubbler in place.

Step 4

Attach a length of soft copper tubing to the threaded end of the drinking fountain bubbler inside cap. Solder the copper tubing in place to prevent breakage.

Step 5

Feed the water line to the water outlet. Dig a shallow trench if necessary to lay the pipe to reach from the water fountain to the outlet. Ensure the pipe does not come into contact with any other underground pipes or wires on your property.

Step 6

Connect the water line from the fountain to the shutoff valve. Attach the nozzle to the end of the pipe for the fountain and solder the connection. Turn the water back on to ensure the fountain works and you do not see any visible leaks.

Step 7

Build the housing for your water fountain. Place bricks and mortar around the pipes to make the foundation. Make the housing the desired height of the water fountain. Fill the housing with mortar to keep the water fountain stable. Set the bowl for the drinking fountain at the top of the housing.