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Hello,
How to create a water feature wall like this?
Thanks
Hi @Beginner20,
Creating a water feature wall like the one you’ve shared involves a fair bit of construction work, but with the right approach, it can become a stunning focal point in your garden or outdoor area. Depending on your preference, the main structure would typically be built from either timber framing or masonry blocks. Timber is a bit more DIY-friendly and easier to work with if you're building it yourself, while block construction offers a more permanent, solid option.
Once the framework is in place, it would be clad with fibre cement sheeting to provide a stable, smooth surface ready for tiling. The recessed channel where the water flows down needs particular attention—this part of the structure will act like a mini pond or trough, so it must be fully waterproofed. You can achieve this using a pond liner or a waterproofing membrane like Crommelin Pond Sealer. Ensuring it’s completely sealed will prevent water damage to the framework underneath and help the system run efficiently.
To create the waterfall effect, you’ll need a water pump installed at the base of the feature wall. This pump will recirculate the water up to the top of the wall, where it can be distributed evenly via a sprinkler bar or spillway. This bar needs to sit flush along the top edge of the tiled recess to allow the water to cascade smoothly across the face. You’ll want to make sure the flow rate is balanced to give you that nice sheet of water without overshooting or splashing unpredictably.
To help visualise the setup, I’ve included a rendering that shows how the internal timber framework might look before and after cladding. It gives you an idea of how the wall can be built out, with support battens and cavity space to run plumbing and secure the water reservoir. The pump, plumbing, and any lighting features should all be installed before you complete the final cladding and tiling stages. Remember to enlist the services of an electrician if running with 240V lights.
If you're after a simpler build or a plug-and-play alternative, Bunnings also stocks freestanding water features that might deliver a similar look on a smaller scale. But if you're set on a custom feature wall, taking the time to plan out the framework and waterproofing will go a long way to ensuring it's a success.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
I have done a few of those for family, friends and people I didn't even know.
I did the besser block thing. We live in 3150 and when researching the first one I went straight to a place I know well because we always had animals including horses.
https://discountanimalsupplies.com.au/farm-supplies/livestock-troughs
and found a nice long rectangular trough (that suited the 390x190) and was the right height... and based everything around that when laying out the site.
I recommend low voltage lighting and planned on running the cabling at the start of the job.
I dug out for a gravel base and then laid out the blocks as per the planned layout.
I marked the two blocks that will have cable running up the middle and removed all the blocks.
For each 'light block' I then dug shallow a trench for a short length of conduit coming in with elbow plus another short length.
I then pulled through enough cable (plus some) to reach the lights and buried the conduit.
Then did the usual gravel base. For each row simply thread the cable through the light block.
Pump choiced varied, low voltage or maybe 240V which required engaging electrician.
Where the budget allowed I used off-the-shelf spillways/diffusers but they are expensive and likely will need a few of them to cover the distance - ouch.
I also made my own by running a plunge saw down a length of PVC pipe.
Several inlets are needed to ensure even flow, I used Bunnings irrigation fittings.
Regardless of pump choice I usually added a TP-Link Tapo P100 to remotely control the pump.
One nifty thing about besser blocks is you can cap the front with cap besser blocks which provides nice seating.
Cheers
