Installing Wall Fountains

Are you thinking about purchasing a wall fountain for your home, office, or place of business? The setup process is actually easier than you think. Installing recirculating wall fountains will go very smoothly with the setup instructions, a friend to help out and a few helpful hints.

Almost any kind of wall can support a wall fountain, including cinder block and metal stud walls. Heavier wall fountains must be mounted into studs, wood, or metal. You should never attempt to hang a heavy wall fountain from sheet rock or plaster. The setup instructions included with your fountain will specify whether there are any restrictions. You can request setup instructions from Specialty Living prior to purchasing a fountain, to make sure you'll be properly prepared. We'll also e-mail or fax it to you as soon as possible, if you prefer.

Most large wall fountains require two people for the installation process, particularly those with a slate facing. Smaller fountains and those made of lightweight materials can be setup by one person alone. We recommend installing a GFI electrical outlet directly behind where the fountain will be placed, prior to hanging the fountain. This will eliminate the problem of unsightly hanging cords, which are also dangerous if young children will be near the fountain. Have the electrical outlet installed near the center of the fountain, so that it is not directly behind the frame part of the fountain (the hood or basin). For double or triple panel fountains the electrical outlet should be placed behind the left-most stone as you face it on the wall. If the fountain has a conventional plug, you'll want it to be a recessed outlet (set into the wall) so the plug sticking out won't prevent the fountain from lying flat on the wall. If it has a flat plug, this won't be a problem. Check with customer service prior to purchasing for this information. If you do choose to install an outlet behind the fountain, we recommend wiring it to a wall switch that will enable you to turn the fountain on and off without having to reach behind it to pull the plug.

Small wall fountains can be hung just as you would a picture frame. They typically have brackets installed on the back of the fountain, which you simply hang over a nail on the wall. Most of these types of fountains come pre-assembled or with very little assembly required. Just be sure to use a level.

The tools you'll need to use will vary by the fountain you purchase, but here are a few you might want to have on hand:

• Philips head screwdriver
• Hammer
• Level
• Tape measure
• Stud finder
• Pencil
• Masking tape
• Cordless drill

You'll receive a paper or booklet with set-up instructions along with your new fountain that will give the specific directions for hanging that particular fountain as well as care and maintenance information.