Building Concrete Garden Waterfalls and Water Staircases

Concrete Waterfalls: Permanent, Naturalistic Features

Concrete waterfalls demand skill but create permanent, effective features—especially with rocks and stones, they're the most natural-looking moving water features.

Building a Traditional Concrete Waterfall

Excavation must be 10 cm (4 in) larger all round than the finished feature. If built on a soil mound, it must settle or be compacted first—shrinkage or slippage fractures concrete. Doubtful soil base? Use a liner or pre-formed unit. A concrete waterfall can be integral to a soundly built rock garden for a solid foundation.

Line excavation with builder's polythene—waterproof membrane and prevents rapid concrete drying, which causes cracking. In warm weather, protect with damp sacking; once surface firms, sprinkle regularly with a fine rose.

Concrete mix and method match pool construction, but rocks/stones must be added while concrete is wet to become integral. Adding later is difficult and unconvincing. Plan rock placement beforehand so basins resemble natural stone structures. Set pebbles in basins; arrange rocks at lips for water flow.

Concrete allows variations. A grotto: pool with rock-garden backdrop, summit cavern housing a pump outlet in a sunken pebble-filled container. Stones extend down a concrete watercourse, embedded. Water emerges among stones, flows down pebble-strewn course planted with ferns and moisture-lovers to the pool below.

Step-by-Step: Concrete Garden Waterfall

1. Excavate cascade feature, accommodating edging stones. Compact disturbed soil well.
2. Install polythene liner with sufficient side overlap—waterproof membrane and prevents rapid drying/cracking.
3. Lay concrete to two-thirds finished depth; place wire mesh reinforcement, pressing firmly and evenly.
4. Add final concrete layer over mesh, tamp for even finish. Position edging stones while concrete is wet.
5. Dress cascade floor with decorative pebbles set into final layer—place carefully, avoid concrete splashes.
6. Cover with damp sacks, keep watered to prevent quick drying, hairline cracks, and later flaking.

The Water Staircase: A Romantic Alternative

The water staircase contrasts normal waterfalls. Popular in French and Italian gardens for centuries, it fits modern suburban gardens. Steps transformed by sparkling silvery water tumbling down. Grand European staircases relied on scale; small gardens can capture the romance using concrete drainage pipes set horizontally, one behind another, into concrete over a waterproof membrane, each slightly higher—creating rounded steps.

Fill pipe ends with concrete or soil; disguise with rocks and planting. Treat pipes with sealant to prevent free-lime leaching. Initially stark, but algae tarnish soon makes them look established. Ensure pump power for vigorous splash.

Step-by-Step: Simple Water Staircase

1. Prepare slope for pipes—allow artificial slopes to settle. Lay builder's polythene as waterproof membrane before concrete.
2. Make stiff concrete mix, lay over polythene. From bottom, set each pipe firmly, placing next evenly behind.
3. Disguise pipe ends with concrete, soil, or stones. Slight stone upstand at cemented edges prevents edge seepage.