Water Features: The Wall & Company Difference

Why can outdoor water feature proposals vary so much when everything else appears to be the same?

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Two contractors can propose water features of similar size and appearance, yet the proposals can vary considerably.

So why can the proposals be so different?

A water feature is much more than the stone, waterfall or stream you see on the surface. Pumps, plumbing, filtration, reservoirs, electrical components, excavation, grading and winterization all contribute to how the system functions.

Many of those components disappear completely once the landscaping is finished.

At Wall & Company, we approach a water feature as a complete system designed to look natural, operate reliably and be easier to maintain through Spokane’s changing seasons.
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Wall & Company vs. Common Shortcuts

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What You’ll Never See

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When your water feature is complete, you’ll notice moving water, natural stone and the surrounding landscaping.

You probably won’t see:

• Much of the plumbing
• Pump connections
• Underground electrical components
• Liner beneath the stone
• The water reservoir
• Underground piping used for winterization
• Drainage and grading work
• Much of the excavation and preparation beneath the finished landscape

Yet those hidden components are responsible for making the visible feature work.

The waterfall or stream may get the attention.

The system underneath is what keeps the water moving.
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A Water Feature Should Look Like It Belongs There

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A great water feature shouldn’t look like a pile of rocks with water running over it.

Wall & Company considers how the feature fits into the larger landscape.

That includes:

• Natural stone placement
• Changes in elevation
• Waterfall and stream locations
• Views from the home
• Views from patios and seating areas
• Surrounding plants
• Existing landscape features
• Sound and water movement

The goal is to create something that feels integrated into the property rather than simply installed on top of it.

That takes additional planning and careful stone placement.

But it’s also what separates a natural-looking water feature from one that immediately looks constructed.
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Pumps and Plumbing Need to Match the Feature

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Moving water requires the right equipment.

Pump size, pipe sizing, elevation changes and the amount of water being moved all affect how the system should be designed.

Wall & Company selects quality components appropriate for the particular water feature.

An undersized system may not create the desired water movement. An unnecessarily oversized system can use more energy than necessary.

The objective is to create the right flow for the feature and design the plumbing system around it.

Once everything is buried and covered with landscaping, most homeowners will rarely see those components.

But they’ll experience the results every time the feature is running.
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A Water Reservoir Provides Additional Protection

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Water features naturally lose some water through evaporation, splash and normal operation.

Wall & Company incorporates a water reservoir into the system to provide additional water capacity.

That reserve can become particularly valuable if the normal water supply is interrupted for a period of time.

Without sufficient reserve capacity, declining water levels can affect how the feature operates and potentially leave the pump without the water it needs.

The reservoir isn’t something you’ll admire when you’re sitting beside the water feature.

In fact, you probably won’t see it at all.

But it’s another example of designing the complete system rather than focusing only on what the homeowner sees above ground.
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Winterization Should Be Easy

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Spokane winters aren’t optional.

Neither is preparing outdoor plumbing for freezing temperatures.

Wall & Company considers winterization when the water feature is being designed rather than leaving the homeowner to figure it out afterward.

Where appropriate, we connect the water feature system to the customer’s sprinkler blowout system, allowing the plumbing to be blown out as part of the property’s normal irrigation winterization.

That can make seasonal maintenance considerably easier.

Instead of creating another completely separate winterization process, we’re thinking about how the water feature will fit into the systems already serving the property.
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Electrical Should Be Planned from the Beginning

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Pumps and other water feature components require power.

That means electrical requirements should be considered before excavation and landscaping are complete.

Wall & Company plans electrical needs into the project and uses qualified professionals where required.

Planning those requirements early allows electrical components to be incorporated cleanly into the installation rather than requiring finished landscaping or hardscape to be disturbed later.

It’s another detail that’s much easier to address before the project is finished than afterward.
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Grading and Drainage Still Matter

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A water feature intentionally puts water into the landscape.

That makes managing water outside the feature especially important.

Wall & Company considers the surrounding grades so water stays where it’s intended and excess water can move appropriately.

We also consider how rain, irrigation and snowmelt interact with the feature and surrounding landscape.

A beautiful water feature shouldn’t create a drainage problem somewhere else on the property.

That’s why grading is part of the installation—not simply something addressed after the stonework is complete.
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Stone Placement Makes a Difference

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Natural stone doesn’t come with installation instructions.

Every boulder and rock has its own shape, texture and orientation.

Creating a natural-looking waterfall or stream often requires selecting, rotating and repositioning individual stones until they work together.

Sometimes a stone that looked perfect before being placed simply doesn’t work once it’s installed.

So it gets moved.

That takes equipment time and experience.

But the goal isn’t simply to cover the liner with rock.

It’s to create a water feature that looks as though the water helped shape the landscape around it.
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The Details You Do See Matter, Too

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A reliable mechanical system still needs quality craftsmanship above ground.

Wall & Company pays attention to:

• Natural stone placement
• Waterfall proportions
• Stream alignment
• Water movement
• Transitions between stone sizes
• Integration with planting areas
• Finished grades
• Views from patios and the home
• Integration with surrounding hardscape and landscaping

A water feature is often designed to become a focal point.

The visible craftsmanship should reflect that.
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Where the Wall & Company Difference Shows Up

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Two water features can look remarkably similar when they’re first completed.

The differences may be almost entirely underground.

Pump and plumbing quality. Water reservoir capacity. Electrical planning. Winterization connections. Grading. Drainage. Excavation. Liner installation.

Each requires materials, planning and installation time.

Reducing or eliminating those components can reduce the initial proposal.

And once the rocks and landscaping are installed, many of those differences become impossible to see.

Wall & Company’s approach is to design the complete system: quality pumps and plumbing, additional reservoir capacity, straightforward winterization, appropriate electrical installation, proper grading and drainage, and careful integration into the surrounding landscape.

The objective isn’t to build the cheapest or the most expensive outdoor water feature. Our objective is to build a water feature that will stand the test of time.

At Wall & Company, we aim to build you an outdoor water feature that you, your family and friends can enjoy for years to come.