Explore the Possibilities of Pond-Free Systems

By Bill Lane, Savio Engineering

The pond free concept is one of the most exciting developments in the pond industry in the last 25 years. For those installers with the foresight to capitalize on this trend early, the potential for tremendous customer appeal and terrific profits is limitless. Remember, everyone in America wants a pond or pond-free system. Some of them just don?EUR??,,????'???t know it yet!

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How many times have your customers told you they?EUR??,,????'???ve always dreamed of having a pond in their backyard? Uh?EUR??,,????'??? wait a minute. Now let?EUR??,,????'???s review that. Did they say pond or did they actually say, ?EUR??,,????'??I?EUR??,,????'???ve always dreamed of having a waterfall in my backyard?EUR??,,????'??? Chances are, if you?EUR??,,????'???re like the majority of retailers and installers in the United States there is a 60 percent chance that your customer actually described a waterfall and you filled in the pond part. After all, to build a waterfall you first build a pond then you add a waterfall. That?EUR??,,????'???s the way it has always been done, right? Well maybe, at least until now, that is.

Before the advent of this latest generation of equipment, pond free water features had to be custom engineered for each installation. New component based systems offer installers the flexibility to put together a game plan for a variety of situations and get the project going quickly.

This year marks an exciting time in the evolution of the exciting industry of ponds and water features. You can now give to your customer the captivating beauty and tranquil sound of moving water without the hassle or potential liability of a pond. This is the year when you can start offering pond free waterfalls and streams and really start to see your business grow. Now, please don?EUR??,,????'???t misunderstand. Ponds are great. Nothing adds richness and depth of space like a water garden in the backyard, but there?EUR??,,????'???s a majority of home and business owners who just simply do not have the space or time for a pond. They want water in their living space but that?EUR??,,????'???s it. They don?EUR??,,????'???t want fish. They don?EUR??,,????'???t want liability and they don?EUR??,,????'???t want maintenance. They want a pond free waterfall or stream.

Complete, professional grade kits, like the one available from Savio Engineering, allow you to bring everything you need to the job site without blowing your budget on acquisition time. These kits range from eight feet in length to 20 feet (with extension packs available for longer streams).

The pond-free waterfall concept offers all the beauty of a pond without the maintenance. Unlike ponds, which need to run 24 hours a day, a pond-free system operates only when the owner is there to enjoy it (not during the work day or at night when everyone is asleep) so it uses only a fraction of the electricity and water as compared to a pond. Because they can be shut down (and essentially hidden) at night this system is a compelling feature for public spaces like restaurants, office buildings and front yards. Prior to this concept all of those areas were off limits. With pond-free systems all potential targets of vandalism like equipment and water are rendered invisible. These problems can be eradicated when the system is in shutdown mode and there is no standing water to trap children, the elderly or less nimble visitors like the occasional drunk.

When excavating the reservoir, the depth is dependent upon how much charge is needed to fill the visible portion of the system during operation.

The economics of pond-free systems will appeal to everyone involved. For the customer, pond-free offers tremendous bang for the buck. These systems typically take less time to install than a pond and because they do not need the filtration, sundry accessories and related maintenance that ponds require, the total cost of ownership can be less than a pond.

Hollow block is a fantastic way to quickly give a stream or waterfall some height and provides a firm foundation for placing rock work.

For installers, pond-free offers a high profile product that requires less expertise and installation time, yet commands a higher margin than most ponds. While the overall job may be slightly less expensive than a comparable pond, the increased profit margin more than compensates for any loss in gross sales. The greater economies of pond-free also gives the installer a product that will have broader consumer appeal. Furthermore, surveys have shown that pond-free does not necessarily supplant pond installations.

Use Flexible EPDM Liner and protective underlayment for water containment. EPDM is UV stable and lasts for decades. Don?EUR??,,????'???t be stingy with the liner - water splashing from an active water feature can cause as much water loss as a leak.

Many existing pond owners express interest in having a pond free system in areas of home that would otherwise not be suitable for a pond. That means two or more water feature installations at locations where there would otherwise only be one!

Purpose-built waterfall well housings provide easy access to pump equipment, a place to route wiring, and room to install an auto-fill valve. Avoid breadbox or homemade gear. As a professional the best service you can do for your customer is to provide professional equipment that will stand the test of time.

The pond-free concept is one of the most exciting developments in the pond industry in the last 25 years. For those installers, distributors and retailers with the foresight to capitalize on this trend early, the potential for tremendous customer appeal and terrific profits is limitless. Remember, everyone in America wants a pond or pond-free system. Some of them just don?EUR??,,????'???t know it yet!

Fill the reservoir with gravel. The waterfall well?EUR??,,????'???s bell shape deflects the crushing forces of rock and water - actually becoming stronger when buried. The result is a manmade aquifer so tough it can withstand being driven over. In the old days, pond free water features had to be custom engineered for each installation. The usual practice was to custom fabricate a steel grate covering a hollow basin. Steel and water together are a perfect recipe for rust. However, these older water features could over time become a dangerous liability. - the equivalent of a modern-day Burmese tiger trap.

Before the advent of this latest generation of equipment, pond free water features had to be custom engineered for each installation. New component based systems offer installers the flexibility to put together a game plan for a variety of situations and get the project going quickly.