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Serenity Falls Water FountainSupporting A Wall Waterfall

Ensuring adequate wall support is one of the most important things to consider when installing a wall waterfall. The reason support is crucial is because without adequate support behind the waterfall the unit could fall off the wall which would probably cause significant damage to the fountain. However, not all indoor waterfalls are supported in the same manner. Therefore, it is wise to become familiar with the mounting methods of the particular waterfall you are interested in to determine whether the correct support structure exists, or to modify the wall to supply support to the size, type and weight of the waterfall under consideration. The Serenity Falls wall fountain is a good example to look at to give us an idea of the support options available, however these instructions are specific to the Serenity Falls Water Fountain and will not apply to all the waterfalls we carry. There are basically 3 support options available discussed below.

This support option is applicable to the following indoor wall fountains:

Standing Falls
Double Elements
Trinity Falls
Chi Falls
Harmony Falls
Double Elements
Mirage Waters
Solace Falls
Serendipity Falls
Serenity Falls
Serene Falls

Serenity Falls (Support Method #1- Niche Installation)

Serenity Falls (Support Method #1- Niche Installation)

Note: You will need to complete the utilities during this stage, refer to what option suits your application in the utilities section.

  • 120v/15amp power to operate
  • (Option #1) One wall mounted switch to power outlet in niche space.
  • (Option #2) Two wall mounted switches to power each half of the receptacle in the niche. This allows for independent control of the pump and lighting of the fountain.
  • 1/4" Copper water supply line is optional.
  • 1/2" Pex drain line is optional.
  • (Option #1) A wood studded wall is required to hang the fountain as fountain weight is 220 lbs.
  • (Option #2) A wood studded base of the niche that is able to support 220 lbs wall waterfall weight.
  1. The niche is to be dry walled and painted to completion as the wall fountain will not cover the entire back wall of the niche. The niche is to be constructed absolutely square and level. If the niche is not square or level the installation of the wall waterfall fountain may not be possible as the waterfall is built perfectly square. The water feature will be attached to the wood studs using 5/16" lag bolts.

  2. Install a 120 volt receptacle flush to the wall. Supply power to this fountain is on a GFI protected circuit, GFI breaker is not allowed in the niche (preferred location breaker panel or an adjacent wall).

  3. Install a 1/4" copper water line. This supply water line is to be connected to a soft water or reverse osmosis system to supply clean water to the fountain , however it s not mandatory. Connecting it to an unfiltered water source is acceptable. This water line is installed inside the feature wall exiting out through the wall. The water line requires an accessible shut off/on valve located anywhere other than the niche, this valve is used frequently to turn on/off the water to the wall waterfall once per week. This fountain does not have an overflow drain therefore it is not recommended that the water supply be left on continually (preferred location of this valve could be a mechanical room or under a sink). A six foot 1/4" copper coil is required to be left in the niche, this allows enough water line to be run into the trough and connected to the float valve assembly.

Location of the power and/or optional plumbing utilities should be installed prior to the application of drywall. Please refer to the utilities section and choose an option that applies to your requirements.

Serenity Falls Option #2(A)

Serenity Falls Option #2(A)

Note: You will need to complete the utilities during this stage, refer to what option suits your application in the utilities section.

Determine waterfall location on the wall. Find the fountain centerline and mark. Steel studs can be used in wall construction however they will be required to be reinforced with wood studs. Secure wood up and past fountain outline behind gypsum board, fountain anchor point is 2" down from top of fountain. Remove gypsum board to gain access to the steel studs, remove as much as needed so you can apply wood backing. Once backing is completed re-install the gypsum board. 2x4 wood studs are used to clamp the steel studs, make sure to secure studs solid to the steel studs by using 3" screws. These wood studs are what the wall waterfall will be secured to.

Support/Bracing

(Option#1) A wood studded wall is preferred to hang the fountain as fountain weight is 250 lbs. A minimum of two 2x4 wood studs are required if fountain is to be hung on the wall. The fountain will be attached to the wood studs in the wall using 5/16" lag bolts. The wall is to be dry-walled and painted to completion no exceptions (refer to drawing for stud placement).

(Option #2) A steel studded wall application will require support bracing in the studs, one of two ways this can be done.

  1. Open up the wall where the wall waterfall is to be hung (refer to drawing for opening size). Next reinforce the steel studs with 2x4 wood stud stock (refer to drawing).

  2. Open up the wall where the fountain is to be hung (refer to drawing for opening size). Next reinforce the steel studs by using 1/2" plywood or 5/8" plywood depending on what thickness the drywall is, try to match this thickness. If you use a thicker or thinner plywood it will negatively affect the hanging process and you may find you have to re-do the process to correct it (refer to drawing).

(Option #3) A support wall directly underside of the fountain, this is usually done when extremely heavy fountains are hung up off the floor when there isn't adequate support in the wall to handle the weight load. This procedure is also used when heavy fountains are hung on walls that are built with steel studs (refer to drawing for support wall).

(Option #4) Niche application refer to niche drawing section.

Location of the power and/or optional plumbing utilities should be installed prior to the application of drywall. Please refer to the utilities section and choose an option that applies to your requirements.

Serenity Falls Option #2(B)

Serenity Falls Option #2(B)

Note: You will need to complete the utilities during this stage, refer to what option suits your application in the utilities section.

Determine waterfall location on the wall. Find the fountain centerline and mark. Secure wood studs up as close to cutout as allowable. Fountain anchor point is 2" down from top of waterfall. Remove gypsum board to gain access tot eh steel studs. Secure 1/2" plywood to the wood backing pre-installed in the wall. Replace the gypsum with 1/2" plywood or 5/8" plywood depending on what thickness gypsum board is. (Note: Fountain will cover this area). Remove as much as needed so you can apply wood backing. Once backing is completed install 1/2" plywood and screw it solid to the 2x4 wood studs that were secured to the steel studs. 2x4 wood studs are used to clamp the steel studs, make sure to secure the wood studs solid to the steel studs by using 2" screws. These wood studs are what the fountain will be secured to.

Support/Bracing

(Option#1) A wood studded wall is preferred to hang the fountain as fountain weight is 250 lbs. A minimum of two 2x4 wood studs are required if fountain is to be hung on the wall. The fountain will be attached to the wood studs in the wall using 5/16" lag bolts. The wall is to be dry-walled and painted to completion no exceptions (refer to drawing for stud placement).

(Option #2) A steel studded wall application will require support bracing in the studs, one of two ways this can be done.

  1. Open up the wall where the fountain is to be hung (refer to drawing for opening size). Next reinforce the steel studs with 2x4 wood stud stock (refer to drawing).

  2. Open up the wall where the fountain is to be hung (refer to drawing for opening size). Next reinforce the steel studs by using 1/2" plywood or 5/8" plywood depending on what thickness the drywall is, try to match this thickness. If you use a thicker or thinner plywood it will negatively affect the hanging process and you may find you have to re-do the process to correct it (refer to drawing).

(Option #3) A support wall directly underside of the fountain, this is usually done when extremely heavy fountains are hung up off the floor when there isn't adequate support in the wall to handle the weight load. This procedure is also used when heavy fountains are hung on walls that are built with steel studs (refer to drawing for support wall).

(Option #4) Niche application refer to niche drawing section.

Location of the power and/or optional plumbing utilities should be installed prior to the application of drywall. Please refer to the utilities section and choose an option that applies to your requirements.

Utility Options

Utility Options

Choose an option below for power, option one is standard and most indoor waterfalls for the wall are configured to work off one outlet.

(Option #1) This option is if you would like your fountain to operate from the standard two to three switches located on the fountain. One wall mounted 120V/15A receptacle, this receptacle is to be protected by a GFCI. The GFCI breaker is not to be installed behind the fountain as accessibility is restricted to the back side of the wall waterfall. This option is for the fountain to operate by switches that are located on the waterfall, these are standard low profile switches that operate the lights and pumps. The wall mounted fountain comes equipped with a plug in cord that during installation the cord is plugged into the receptacle in the wall (refer to drawing)(preferred option).

(Option #2) This option is if you would like your wall water fountain to operate from two wall switches. Install two wall switches to control one receptacle. One receptacle can be used for this application by separating the hot terminals. It is also acceptable to install two separate receptacles either will work fine. The switches of the fountain are terminated and the wall switches are now used to operate the fountain. This option allows you to install a dimmer control switch (module) on the wall to dim the lighting on the water fountain, a nice feature when the application is a bedroom or an area where light dimming is desired.

(Option #3) This option is if you would like your fountain to operate from three wall switches, this is if you added a drain pump. Install three wall switches to control two receptacles (or three). One receptacle can be used for two of the switches by separating the hot terminals. It is also acceptable to install three separate switches either will work fine. The switches of the fountain are terminated and the three wall switches are now used to operate the fountain. This option allows you to install a dimmer control switch (module) on the wall to dim the lighting of the fountain. This option allows you to drain the water in your indoor waterfall by turning on the third switch (provided proper plumbing is installed).

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