O/T Construction question.

[Roger - Kansas]

I am an experienced carpenter, however.... I have been asked to make a waterfall in a house. Cement is out of the question, cement board or marine grade plywood will be the base and covered with flat rocks picked up from a nearby creek. I am sure the glue will hold but I am not sure what to caulk with or how hot and cold running water going over it for years will affect it. Anyone ever build something like this? The local lumber yard is no help.

Thanks for any advice. Roger.

 

[hoof print]

Marine grade plywood is moisture resistant, but not water proof. It will delaminate rapidly if it is submerged. I suggest that you build the waterfall out of aluminum or stainless steel sheets over an aluminum or stainless framework, with the water collecting in some type of a plastic tub at the bottom.

 

[Mike (WA)]

If concrete is out of the question, my advice would be to run away from this project as fast as you can. Nothing will stand up to continued submersion except a stone/concrete product.

 

[flembo]

What about fiberglass couldn't you build a form and then layer fiberglass matting like building a boat, just a thought.

 

[Adirondack case guy]

If I were you I would treat it just like you would build a walk in shower. Build a curbed base, using the latest shower materials, perhaps convince your customer to us native looking cultured stone, (much lighter and easier to work with), and you should be good to go.
Loren, the Acg.

 

[tomturkey]

What about using rubber membrane roof materials. I do not know what widths are available. I don't think you would want to trust a seam in the water. The folds and such up the sides and over the top could/would be hidden by stone.Many commercial roofs were done and ballast rock 3/4-1" was covering the rubber. Just a thought. gobble

 

[Pops1532]

Roger, I'm also an experienced carpenter. Use shower pan liner membrane or rubber roof to cover the structure. I would not trust marine grade plywood, cement board, glue or caulk under the conditions you mentioned.
How do you plan to anchor the rocks?

 

[Malibu Nick]

x2

 

[Bob]

I'm with you, Mike!

 

[JMS/.MN]

Shout out for "Ultradog" on this forum. Jerry does this stuff......

 

[Anonymous-0]

it can be built with plywood. have made aquariums the same way using rubber based paint to seal the wood. check on you tube under building aquariums. I believe you will find all you need

 

[Anonymous-0]

I would have to say that using a large plastic tub to enclose it all would be a good start.
Of course I would recommend charging top dollar for such a project. (they likely have the money to pay for it)

A guy I know that is a general contractor just finished building a mansion for a married couple, 3800sq. feet. All on 80 acres, the guy inherited 1 million from his grandpa. And he is 43 years old.

 

[36 Coupe]

My first objection would be the amount of moisture that the water would add to the room.Good job to avoid.

 

[BAnNC]

Agree with other posters. The only way to guarantee the water will stay in the feature is to build it like it was a shower. Curb, shower pan liner, run it up to the highest point and cover it with whatever lightest rock, brick, etc. you like. Gonna add a LOT of moisture to the room. Will need proper ventilation to combat that build up.
Just wondering, will the structure below support all that new weight?

 

[Roger - Kansas]

I should have been a little clearer on this. I am building a shower, 4 foot by 6 foot. There is a regular shower head installed now. The shower is done except for the very top. They wanted something different, so I will admit this is my idea. They would like a small waterfall built into the front/top side of the shower, it would not run water all the time.
When I was just out of high school I helped build a house around a flowing spring that had never gone dry. Water flows in the east side of the basement through a waterfall. Then out a laid up rock creek and out the west side of the house. The three couples that have owned the house love it. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - very cool in the summer, cold as all get out in the winter. And snakes in the basement are a constant problem.
The shower is usable, this doesn't have to been done "RIGHT NOW". For those that have posted ideas - Thank you, I am slowly developing a plan. More ideas appreciated. As for running away from this project, don't think so, matter of pride.

 

[rd 2N in mo]

bituthene membrane rolls 1 mil thick
this stuff seals to anything

grace products

 

[dpendzic]

I would use marine grade plywood for waterfall base, cover with a good dense tile set in an epoxy matrix and then good quality grout, the steeper the pitch the better it will dry off

 

[dr sportster]

A woman said to me once about chsnging something in electrical work .Something like is that possible? I said if you have enough money we can tear down the whole building and start over. Give 'em what they want .

 

[Cliff(VA)]

I would use a product by Schluter called Kerdi or its cousin Deitra. They are both intended for waterproofing showers. It can be applied over drywall in a shower to keep the drywall dry and then tiled over. They also make a board form known as Kerdiboard. The Kerdi would need a layer of tile or cemented stones to protect the membrane.

There are a couple of books on using Kerdi and quite a few resources on line. It really is great.

Cliff(VA)
Schluter Kerdiboard

 

[Tequila]

I have constructed similar type projects. I would use marine grade two part epoxy with 4or 6 oz glass cloth. You can make any shape or form you want. It will last longer than the house.