The Top 5 Problems with a DIY Water Feature—and How to Avoid Them

From your neighbors at Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping, Oak Ridge, TN

1. Why DIY Water Features Seem Like a Great Idea (But Often Aren’t)

We talk to a lot of homeowners around Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and nearby who start out with the same big idea: “I want to build a little water feature in the backyard. I

saw one online and it looked easy enough.”

And we totally get the appeal. A little waterfall or a pond bubbling in the background? That sounds amazing. Peaceful. Custom. Personal. And, at first glance, it might even seem cheaper than hiring someone to install it.

But what we’ve seen time and time again is this: DIY water features often turn into a whole lot more work—and stress—than people bargain for.

You think it’ll be a relaxing weekend project, but it ends up leaking, clogging, growing algae, or just not looking or sounding the way you hoped. Then you’re stuck spending even more time and money trying to fix it… or starting over completely.

If you’re considering building your own pond, fountain, or waterfall, this article is for you. We’ll walk you through the top 5 problems we see with DIY water features—and how to avoid those headaches right from the start.

2. Problem #1: Leaks That Won’t Quit

This one’s the biggest. We get calls all the time from folks who can’t figure out why their pond or fountain keeps losing water.

Sometimes it’s a tiny puncture in the liner. Sometimes the water is sneaking out under a rock or wicking into nearby mulch. But either way, it’s frustrating—and hard to spot.

Why it happens:

• The liner wasn’t protected underneath, or it got torn during installation
• Water is slipping under edging stones or out the sides
• Decorative mulch or gravel is drawing water away from the feature

How to avoid it:
Make sure your liner is protected with an underlayment underneath, and give it plenty of extra length at the edges. Keep rocks and mulch from sitting too close to the water’s edge. And double check any spillways or waterfalls to be sure water is flowing where it’s supposed to.

Leaks are one of those things that are much easier to prevent than to fix later.

3. Problem #2: Poor Water Circulation

We’ve had customers show us DIY fountains or waterfalls where one end is roaring and the other end barely trickles… or doesn’t move at all. That’s almost always a circulation problem.

Why it happens:

• The pump isn’t strong enough for the height or size of the feature
• The tubing is too small or gets kinked
• There’s no clear way for water to return back to the pump

How to avoid it:
Always size your pump based on the height water has to climb (this is called “head height”). Use wide enough tubing for the flow you want. And plan your layout with gravity and return flow in mind.

A properly designed water feature should have even movement and a natural loop—without any dead zones or splash-over.

4. Problem #3: Algae and Dirty Water

Murky green water is another common complaint we hear, especially in the warmer months.

When the balance is off, algae can take over quickly—turning your peaceful pond into a smelly science experiment.

Why it happens:

• No filter or the wrong kind of filter
• Too much sun with no shade or plant cover
• Overfeeding fish or letting leaves rot in the water

How to avoid it:
You’ll want a real biological filtration system—not just a sponge. Add aquatic plants like lilies or water lettuce to give shade and soak up nutrients. Don’t overload your pond with fish, and keep leaves and debris out with a skimmer net or intake bay.

5. Problem #4: It Doesn’t Look or Sound Like You Imagined

This one stings. You had this image in your head of a soft, soothing waterfall… but what you got was a harsh gurgle or weird splashing sound. Or maybe it just looks awkward now that it’s built.

Why it happens:

• The waterfall height isn’t tall enough (or it’s too tall)
• Water hits flat surfaces and splashes everywhere
• Rocks were placed randomly instead of shaping the water path

How to avoid it:
Play around with height and sound before you finalize anything. Use flat stones to guide water into soft sheets instead of awkward trickles. And stack your rocks with intention, so the water flows naturally—not just wherever it wants.

When we build custom water features here at Willow Ridge, we actually test the flow while we build it. That way, we shape it as we go—until it looks and sounds exactly how the homeowner wants.

6. Problem #5: Constant Maintenance and Frustration

We hear this all the time: “It’s beautiful, but I didn’t expect it to be this much work.”

And that’s fair. If your water feature wasn’t designed with maintenance in mind, it can turn into a constant chore—scooping leaves, unclogging pumps, topping off water every few days.

Why it happens:

• No skimmer to collect floating debris
• The basin is open to everything (leaves, pine needles, etc.)
• It’s under a tree or gutter where gunk builds up fast
• You’re refilling it constantly because the reservoir is too small

How to avoid it:
Design with maintenance in mind. A pondless waterfall, for example, is super low-maintenance and great for busy folks. Add an auto-fill valve to save yourself the hassle of checking water levels all the time. And if you’re building near trees, go ahead and add a skimmer to grab that leaf litter before it sinks and starts rotting.

A well-designed water feature should practically take care of itself.

7. Tips From Our Team to Get It Right the First Time

Here at Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping, we’ve been designing and building water features for years. We’re a Certified Aquascape Contractor, which means we use top-tier products and follow proven techniques that hold up over time.

Here’s what we always tell people who are considering a DIY build:

• Start with a complete kit (not cobbled-together parts)
• Know your elevation and water volume before choosing a pump
• Test your water flow before placing all your rocks
• If you’re stuck, we’re happy to consult—even if you’re doing it yourself

We’re not here to talk you out of doing something yourself—we just want to help you avoid wasting time and money on something that won’t work the way you hoped.

8. When to DIY and When to Let Us Help

There’s nothing wrong with a little elbow grease. If you’re building a small patio fountain or a simple bubbling urn, DIY can be a great way to go.

But if you’re dreaming of a full waterfall, a koi pond, or something with lighting, multiple levels, or buried plumbing… that’s where we come in.

We work with homeowners all over Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and the surrounding areas to create water features that are:

• Low maintenance
• Designed to last
• And built to actually match what you envisioned

Sometimes the best investment you can make is letting someone else handle the hard part so you can just sit back and enjoy it.

9. A Water Feature Should Be Peaceful—Not Stressful

You deserve a backyard space that brings you joy—not frustration. A bubbling stream. A waterfall that drowns out traffic noise. Maybe even a pond with lilies and a few koi.

And that vision? It is possible. But only if it’s done right.

If you’re ready to bring water into your outdoor space—or need help rescuing a project that didn’t quite turn out—we’d love to help.

Come visit us at Willow Ridge Garden Center in Oak Ridge, TN, or give us a call at 865-481-3825. Our landscape team will help you figure out the best next steps, whether it’s a quick fix, a design consultation, or a custom build from scratch.

Let’s build something beautiful together.