Water Feature Installation in Vancouver

Which water feature fits your yard

The right feature depends on what you want from it: the sound of moving water, fish and plants, a small focal point, or a long run of water through the garden.

Pondless waterfall

Water runs over stone and disappears into a hidden reservoir filled with gravel, so there is no open pool. A pump sends it back to the top. A pondless waterfall fits when you want the sight and sound of moving water with less upkeep, and when children or pets use the yard. See custom waterfalls.

Ecosystem pond

A pond holds water plants and, if you want them, koi or goldfish, with a filter to keep the water clear. It fits when fish and wildlife are the point and you are willing to skim, clean and balance it through the year. See ecosystem ponds.

Bubbling rock

A boulder is drilled so water bubbles over its top and runs back into a hidden basin under decorative pebbles. It needs very little space, fits into a garden bed, and is the simplest way to add moving water. See bubbling rocks.

Fountain

As a fountain contractor, we install urn fountains, spillway bowls and wall fountains. Most are self-contained: a hidden basin holds the water and a small pump lifts it back up, so nothing needs plumbing to the house. A fountain suits a patio, a courtyard or a small garden where you want a formal shape and the sound of water in a small space. See fountains.

Stream

A stream is a winding channel of rock and gravel, either with running water or as a dry creek bed. The running version recirculates water from a basin at the bottom back to the source, and it needs some fall in the ground. A stream can also carry runoff in heavy rain. See streams and flowing water.

How water features work in Vancouver’s climate

• Rain and leaves. Wet winters keep features running, and the same weather fills them with leaves and needles. Open water needs skimming, and any pump intake needs to stay clear.
• Mild winters, occasional hard freezes. Most features can run through winter here. In a hard freeze, shut the pump off and drain it so ice does not crack the pump, the lines or the basin. A pond with fish usually runs a de-icer and a small air pump to keep a hole open in the ice.
• Shade and moss. Damp, shaded spots grow moss and film on stone. A spot with some light and airflow keeps a feature cleaner.
• Mosquitoes. Mosquitoes breed in still water. Moving water, or water hidden under gravel, gives them less to work with.

How a water feature job runs

1. You get in touch. Send us the quote form, or call (604) 353-4399 during our hours, Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm.
2. Site visit. We look at the space, the slope, the sun and shade, and where the basin or pond and the pump can sit. We talk through the look, the sound and the upkeep you want.
3. Design and quote. We choose the type and size of feature and the stone, then quote the build.
4. Build. We excavate, build the basin or pond, and lay the liner. The pump and plumbing go in and the stone is set. A pond is rocked in with gravel and boulders and fitted with its filter.
5. Fill and tune. We fill the system and adjust the flow to get the sound and ripple you want. A new pond runs for a while before fish go in.
6. Walkthrough. We walk you through the system and give you a maintenance guide, so you can handle basic upkeep yourself if you prefer.

What affects the cost

• Type of feature. A bubbling rock or a small fountain is a smaller job than a pond with filtration.
• Size. The height of a waterfall, the length of a stream, the surface area and depth of a pond.
• Stone. The type, size and amount of boulders and natural stone, and how hard it is to get them into the yard.
• Excavation and access. Digging for a reservoir or pond, and getting equipment and materials to the spot.
• Pump and filtration. Sized to the flow and the volume of water. A pond with fish needs more equipment than a pondless waterfall.
• Lighting. Underwater lighting and lit bubblers add to the build.
• Planting and fish, for ponds.

Looking after a water feature

Pondless waterfalls, bubbling rocks and fountains need the least upkeep, and ponds need the most. For any of them, skim leaves and needles, clean the pump screen a few times a season, and top up the water that evaporates in summer. If you would rather not, we offer maintenance packages that include spring cleanouts, fall prep and seasonal visits, and we can handle winter shutdown and spring start-up.

Questions people ask

Pond or pondless waterfall?

If you love the idea of fish, choose a pond. If you mostly want the sound of water and a focal point, choose a pondless waterfall. A pondless waterfall has no open pool, which matters if young children or pets use the yard.

Can I light a water feature?

Yes. Underwater fixtures can light ponds, waterfalls and fountains from within, and bubbling rocks can be lit. See underwater lighting.

Where do you build water features?

Landscapify is based in Vancouver and builds across Vancouver and the North Shore.

Plan your water feature

Landscapify is licensed and insured, and based in Vancouver.