Water Underfall?

[burnin240sx]

I am having an issue where the waterfall I have is showing a design flaw.
I have a pool of water before the top rock that the water is to flow over, and fall into the pool below the rock. The issue is that the pool fills up and the water flows out under the rock instead of over it. I think I need something between the liner and the rock to stop the water from flowing under the rock.

Any help is appreciated.
I've will included a video to help get the idea of my situation.

 

[burnin240sx]

Here is the direct link to the video.
[ame]

 

[koikeepr]

waterfalls can be the bane of many pond goers. If you ever suspect a leak or something going awry, the first place I advise for someone to look is at the waterfall.

I'm trying to make sure I understand you properly. Are you saying that the water is backflowing back into the underside of your waterfall because things aren't leveled downward?

If so, you can pull the liner back, you'll need to stuff something in there. Sometimes, you can just bring the liner itself up and around the waterfall mouth properly and use plenty of waterfall foam (it's black and sold in places like Home Depot or pond shops) to fill in the gaps and direct the water to the right place.

It's kinda hard to help you without a photo. Do you have something you can show us?

 

[burnin240sx]

I just posted a video. I hope it helps. here is a drawing

I want the water to go over the round images which are flat rocks in real life.

 

[burnin240sx]

I love the image restriction on the site.

 

[burnin240sx]

bumpie

 

[koikeepr]

ok, you beat me the punch and popped a video up. Very helpful. Well, that certainly is a very shallow waterfall. Is that how you're going to keep it or are you going to build it up?

Yeah, I see what's going on. Your waterfall mouth looks dipped back, and you've got a gap underneath so the water is flowing under your rock. You should undo it a bit, and get it nice and level with sand underneath, and build it up in the back to ensure everything pours forward and doesn't pool in that area.

When you lay your rock back down that will be the base of your fall you will defintely need to get that black waterfall foam I mentioned. It's like expanding spray foam that you use homes, but it's black so you can't see it in a pond. You would spray that in the gap under and on the sides of your base rock so that it forces the water to go above the rock and not under it. You essentially are blocking and redirecting the waterflow.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[koikeepr]

yes, in your drawing you need to get rid of that bowl like spot on your lower fall. And push your second fall back in a little, so that the top one falls directly down onto your second rock, and not into that little bowl of water. (By the way, that little bowl you got going there is a dead spot and is probably going to serve as a spot for debris and muck to accumulate--so unless you are ready to be scooping crap out of there, you might want to do yourself a favor and eliminate it.]

And then you'll need lots of spray foam to direct the flow properly.

Someone else may have other ideas, too.

 

[Dragonfly]

Burning, if you really want the bowls of water behind each drop rock, you can build the sides up or drop the flat drop rock so that it is just a touch below water level, and as koikeepr says, spray foam works great, though it may need redoing ever couple of years.
You're on the right path! Waterfalls are alot of trial and error, but a lot of fun too.

 

[koikeepr]

I don't see any reason for the bowls. Muck collectors!

But agree that he needs to build up them sides even when it's level. He could also use PL Roofing and Flashing Sealant instead of spray foam, too. It would last forever and is removable if ever necessary. He'll need a few tubes for that. And use gloves, as if it gets on your hands it's a pain in the rear to clean.

 

[Dragonfly]

Sealant would certainly be cheaper then that spray foam...they put the words "pond" on something and times the price by TWO. Does that sealant have to go on dry and have time to set up? I haven't used it.

Deep bowls are over kill for sure, something just deep enough for the birds to wade in and bathe and to allow for a good splash is all you need.

 

[koikeepr]

PL needs to go on dry, yes. But it doesn't look like he's got any fish in there and can drain out a bit. He's gonna have to do that to fix the waterfall, so he's gonna have to take some water out to do that.

You are so right Dragonfly, the word POND on any product mysteriously increases the price for sure. LOL!

 

[burnin240sx]

I'll order the foam you mention. I think that your comments will solve my dilemma. I've placed the rocks around the waterfall area but it's empty so i'll just have to readjust the rocks. Thank you so much, everyone. I'll let you know how things work out.

 

[koiguy1969]

i would use the foam myself also ... if you are going to keep deep pools in your falls..fill them with oxygenating plants and floaters like hiacynths and lettuce, even parrots feather and such in a layer of gravel... this will give you some veggy filtration in the system.

 

[koikeepr]

check Home Depot before you order. Lots of times they have it in their pond/pool section.