Nothing adds more beauty to your garden & outdoor aquarium than a waterfall. These days, waterfall construction isn’t as difficult as it used to be previously and it is normally constructed in tandem with pond construction.
Today constructing a waterfall takes less time & money than it used to take a decade back. Previously waterfalls & ponds were constructed using concrete and mortar and it did take time and required skilled labor. But with the new advents like waterfall construction foam that has taken over the place of concrete and mortar, it has become a lot easier.
This article will discuss in detail the waterfall foam, its composition, and how to use them in the construction of a new pond. But before we proceed, let’s first have a look at how waterfall foams gained popularity in the first place.
How did waterfall foam gain popularity?
The very reasons for the popularity of waterfall foams can be attributed to the drawbacks of using concrete and mortar in waterfall construction. Some of the major drawbacks of using concrete and mortar are;
- Cement and mortar create rough surfaces and are totally unsafe for the fish as they tend to scratch their body on the rock surfaces
- In the case of waterfalls, over time potholes will form in cement and mortar finish because of being constantly exposed to water
- They need a longer setting time and hardening time. It means that you need to wait before you can actually fill water in the pond or let water flow over the waterfall
- They are susceptible to developing cracks or going flaky over time
Because of its ease of use & faster setting times, waterfall foams were quick to gain popularity in the market. These days Water foams are widely used in the construction of waterfalls outdoors.
What is waterfall foam?
A waterfall foam is a type of spray polyurethane foam known for its insulating, air sealing, and adhesive properties. While these aren’t like the ones that are used indoors, waterfall foams do have similar properties as spray polyurethane foams.
Waterfall foams are single component polyurethane black foams that fill gaps and ensure effective flow of water over rocks. They are known for their adhesive property and can stick to all rough and smooth surfaces efficiently. Teflon, silicone, polyethylene are the few exceptions to its adhesivity.
Now that you have a basic idea of waterfall foam, let’s have a look at the advantages of using them in waterfall construction.
Advantages of Using waterfall Foams
The main advantages of using waterfall foams are:
- It is UV stabilized and hence more UV resistant than other foams
- They are strong and in the meantime flexible enough to sustain ground movements
- They can be adjusted to the flow even in the post-construction phase
- Excess foam can be removed by peeling once it is completely dry unlike concrete
- Reduced construction & curing time.
How To Use Waterfall Foam In the Construction of New Pond?
It all begins with constructing a berm for the waterfall and covering it with a waterproof liner. Once this is done, follow the following steps
- Stack the rocks over the waterproof liner. While stacking the rocks ensure that you place the rocks as tightly as possible without any gaps. It’s going to take time but know that it’s worth taking the effort. Place it in such a way that you minimize the amount of foam you need to use to fill the gaps.
- Once you place the first line of rocks spray the foam at the base of the rocks where it comes in contact with the waterproof liner. The larger voids have to be filled using small stones and pebbles. The idea is to leave only small holes that have to be sealed using the waterfall foam.
- The waterfall foam should cover every stream edge or the waterfall framing rocks and prevent the water from leaking into the rocks and to the ground during the flow.
- Once you are done with spraying the foam, leave it as such for 20 minutes to cure. After 20 minutes you can manipulate it by hand to ensure that all joints are properly sealed.
We recommend that you use an applicator gun for better effectiveness. Also while using a gun, ensure that you point the gun over the gaps and double-check that every gap is filled. The trigger should be kept locked while using the gun.
Frequently Asked Questions on Waterfall Foams
- Are there any prerequisites to the surface to which waterfall foam is applied?
The surface of the application should be completely dry and it should be kept dry for 48 hours before letting it get wet after spraying. Amazed by the time you have to leave it idle? Remember that it will take a week if it is concrete made.
- How long does it take the foam to cure?
The initial curing time is approximately 5 minutes, that is for the outer shell to cure. For the whole form to set completely it takes 48 hours.
- Are there any precautions to be taken during spraying?
Waterfall foam is flammable and while dispensing and handling at most care should be given. It is advisable to use protective equipment like gloves, clothes, respirators, and eyewear.
- Is the foam safe for fishes?
Waterfall foam is UV stabilized and is certified to be fish safe. Don’t worry about your carps rubbing on the rock surface.
- How frequently should the foam be applied?
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the frequency of foam application. A rule of thumb would be to regularly check for any leaks and spray the foam if you find any.
With our expertise in the field and our wide understanding, we recommend you to use Atlantic falls foam. They are one of the leading manufacturers of black foam and are time tested. They are also priced competitively and ensure superior quality.
If you consider working on a fall, do visit us and take the best product at the best price, home.