(Cont’d from http://www.cholmquistgardens.com/2010/12/not-your-everyday-fountain/ )
What excitement when the fountain was delivered, after a few weeks of anticipation and faith that the fabricator would “get it” this time. It’s all we had imagined: Gracefully curving, it echoes the lines of the house and is of a material that complements its modern character: Cor-ten steel that is formulated to rust naturally and to provide a garden sculpture that works well in this landscape. Water gently flows over all sides and disappears in the gravel bed underneath (that hides a sub-terranean reservoir from where it is pumped up again).
This low-volume, water-conserving feature provides constant entertainment as the homeowner sees it from her kitchen window, and will be even more attractive to the grandchildren that can step up closely and play with the water (anticipating this we placed a sitting area next to it.)
Nothing of these few words reveal of course some “hick-ups” that the landscape contractor had to overcome first (and that are not un-usual in the landscape field): Tweak the water flow so it sheets evenly over the edges; wait a few days until the water started to clear up after the first rapid rusting which left the water murky. Now the water is almost clear, and in a month or so it should have completely cleared up.
It’s almost perfect: Just wait and see it when all the plants are “in” and also the (low voltage) landscape lights that will illuminate it at night; I think it will be beautiful.
Has the corten stood up to having the water in it? I am designing for clients but keep getting push back from welders saying the corten won’t work.
Hi, the cor-ten needed to be sanded and then sealed ; which defeats the desired effect… without the sealant too much rust got into the pumps. Our water seems to have too many salts and other impurities in it. Now, sealed, the material looks good – although a little more shiny than I had hoped for.
Do you have recent pictures of the cor-ten water feature since it has been sealed and have you had any further problems with the rust infiltrating into the pumps or discoloring the water?
Thanks.
Thanks for your interest. I have a couple of new photos but haven’ uploaded them yet. The problem of the rust infiltration was solved by applying a coat of LP.
Very interesting feature. What is LP?
I don’t know which post you responded to, but i imagine it was the one about the naturally rusted steel.
LP should then stand for LInear Polyurethane.
Christiane
Hi Christiane,
I love your Corten fountain! I’m a fabricator in Oregon, and I do a lot of Corten work. I’m currently working on my first Corten water feature, and I was concerned about the rusty water issue that you experienced. I plan to “pre-weather” it and coat it with a clear coat.
My question for you is: How is the LP finish holding up? Have you had to re-apply it?
This piece is going to be in a restaurant, and I want to deliver a product that will be low maintenance.
Thanks so much for your time!