Frequently Asked Questions
What areas do you serve?
We serve the entire six-county Chattanooga metropolitan area across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. On the Tennessee side, that includes Chattanooga, East Ridge, Red Bank, Soddy-Daisy, Collegedale, Signal Mountain, Walden, Lakesite, Ridgeside, and Lookout Mountain, along with the surrounding communities of Hixson, Ooltewah, Harrison, Apison, Middle Valley, Sale Creek, and Falling Water in Hamilton County; Jasper, Kimball, South Pittsburg, Whitwell, New Hope, Powells Crossroads, Monteagle, and Orme in Marion County; and Dunlap in Sequatchie County. On the North Georgia side, we cover Ringgold and Fort Oglethorpe in Catoosa County; LaFayette, Chickamauga, Rossville, Flintstone, and Lookout Mountain in Walker County; and Trenton in Dade County. If you're near Chattanooga and don't see your town listed, get in touch — chances are we serve your area too.
What kinds of water features do you install and service?
We design and install fountains, backyard and pondless waterfalls, koi ponds and ecosystem ponds, streams, and dry creek beds, plus commercial water features. We also clean, maintain, repair, and restore existing fountains and ponds.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. We start with a free consultation and walkthrough of your property so we can recommend the right feature and give you a clear quote before any work begins.
Do you service water features you didn't install?
Yes. We regularly clean, repair, and restore fountains and ponds that were built by someone else, including features that have been neglected or that were poorly built to begin with.
Do you work with both homeowners and businesses?
Yes. We serve homeowners and commercial properties alike, from a small patio fountain to a large pond or a maintenance program for an office or retail property.
How much does it cost to install a water feature?
It depends entirely on the type and size. A fountain is the most affordable way to add moving water, while a full koi pond or a large custom waterfall is a bigger investment. The best way to get a real number is a free consultation, where we look at your space and give you a clear, itemized quote.
Is a water feature worth the cost?
Beyond the daily enjoyment, a well-built water feature adds real curb appeal and makes a property more memorable to buyers. It's also one of the few upgrades people describe as paying them back in stress relief and time spent at home rather than just resale.
How much does a water feature cost to run?
Less than most people expect. A typical fountain runs on an energy-efficient pump and usually costs only a few dollars a month. A pond runs its pump around the clock, but that's still generally modest, and we can spec an energy-efficient pump to keep it low.
Will your quoted price change once the work starts?
No. You get a clear, written quote up front that lays out the scope and cost, so the number you agree to is the number you pay, barring changes you ask for.
Is it cheaper to just build it myself?
The upfront cost can look lower, but the most common water feature repairs we get called for are failed DIY and cut-rate builds — leaks, shifting rock, and undersized pumps. Fixing those often costs more than a proper build would have in the first place.
Is a water feature a lot of work to maintain?
A poorly built one can be a constant battle with sludge and algae. A properly built feature with the right filtration and circulation is genuinely low-maintenance — usually just topping off water and clearing the occasional bit of debris, plus a seasonal service.
Is it really "low maintenance," or will I get hit with expensive cleanings?
We'll be straight with you: no water feature is zero-maintenance. A well-built one needs only light routine care plus a yearly cleanout, not constant expensive service. The features that end up costing a fortune are the ones that were built wrong or left neglected — which is exactly what our maintenance plans prevent.
Will my pond or fountain turn green?
Green water is an algae bloom caused by excess nutrients and sunlight. It's prevented by the things a good build includes — proper filtration, aquatic plants, beneficial bacteria, and circulation — and kept in check with routine care, so it doesn't have to be part of owning a water feature.
Do you offer maintenance plans?
Yes. We offer monthly maintenance plans for fountains and ponds that cover cleaning, water treatment, pump and filter service, and seasonal care, so the upkeep is off your plate.
What happens to my water feature in winter?
Fountains are drained, the pump is pulled and stored, and the basin is protected before the first hard freeze. Ponds with fish stay running with enough depth plus a de-icer or aerator, which keeps a hole open in the ice for gas exchange so the fish overwinter safely.
Do I have to run the pump all the time?
A pond pump needs to run continuously, because the beneficial bacteria that keep the water clear depend on constant oxygen and flow. A fountain doesn't — it can be put on a timer to run only when you want it.
Won't a water feature attract mosquitoes?
This is the most common worry, and it's largely a myth for a properly built feature. Mosquitoes breed in still water, and moving water gives them nowhere to lay eggs. In a pond, fish eat any larvae that do appear, so a well-built pond or fountain actually has fewer mosquitoes than a lot of yards.
What is a disappearing fountain, and is it safe around kids and pets?
A disappearing fountain holds its water in a hidden underground reservoir, with the water recirculating up through the piece and vanishing into decorative rock at ground level. Because there's no open, standing water, it's one of the safest water features you can add around young children and pets.
Why does my fountain have white, crusty buildup?
That's calcium and mineral scale left behind as the water evaporates, and it's very common with hard water. It won't wipe off easily, but we can descale it with a cleaner matched to your fountain's material so the finish isn't damaged.
Can I use bleach or pool chemicals to clean my fountain?
No. Chlorine and pool products break down pump seals, strip the finish off concrete and resin, and are toxic to birds and pets. It's one of the most common and costly fountain mistakes, and we never use them.
My fountain splashes water everywhere and loses water fast — can that be fixed?
Usually, yes. Overspray and rapid water loss often come down to a flow rate that's too high, a nozzle out of position, wind, or a basin that's undersized for the piece. We adjust the flow, reposition the outlet, and size the basin so the water stays where it belongs.
Will a fountain be too loud?
The sound is something we control. A low bubbler gives a soft trickle while a taller piece with more drop gives a stronger rush, so we match the fountain and its flow to where you'll hear it — including dialing it back for a bedroom window or a quiet patio.
What's the difference between a backyard waterfall and a pondless waterfall?
A backyard waterfall spills into an open pond at the base, so you can keep fish and plants. A pondless waterfall has no pond — the water disappears into a hidden underground reservoir — so there's no standing water to manage and less upkeep.
Is a pondless waterfall low maintenance?
Yes. With no fish ecosystem to manage, upkeep is mostly topping off water lost to evaporation, and the pump doesn't need to run around the clock. It's one of the easiest water features to own.
Can I add a pond to my pondless waterfall later?
Usually, yes. If you decide down the road that you want fish and plants, a pond can typically be added at the base.
How deep does a koi pond need to be?
At least three feet for koi. That depth keeps the water temperature stable, gives the fish room to grow, protects them from winter cold, and makes it much harder for predators to reach them.
Will herons or raccoons eat my fish?
It's a real risk anywhere — a heron can take several koi in a single visit. The best defense is built into the pond: enough depth and steep sides that predators can't wade in, fish caves and plant shelves where koi can hide, and moving water that makes the fish harder to spot. Deterrents like decoys, motion-activated sprinklers, and seasonal netting add another layer.
Will my fish survive the winter here?
Yes, in a properly built pond. Adequate depth plus a de-icer or aerator keeps part of the surface open for gas exchange, which is what allows koi to overwinter safely through Chattanooga's cold snaps.
Is an open pond safe around young children?
Any open water calls for care. We build ponds with graduated shelves rather than sheer drop-offs, and for families with very young kids who still want the sound of water, a pondless waterfall or a fountain gives the same effect with no standing water at all.
How many fish can I put in my pond?
Fewer than most people think — overstocking is a common cause of water quality problems. We size the pond and filtration to a healthy fish load and can advise on stocking so the ecosystem stays balanced and the koi have room to grow.
My water level keeps dropping — do I have a leak?
Not necessarily. Evaporation and splashing account for most water loss, especially in summer or with a large waterfall. A simple test tells the difference: top it off, leave the pump off for 24 hours, and see if the level still drops. If it does, there's a leak, and we can find and seal it.
My pump stopped working or is making noise — can you fix it?
Yes. Weak flow, a humming or rattling pump, or one that won't run is usually caused by scale, debris, trapped air, or a pump that ran dry and burned out. We diagnose it and clean, repair, or replace the pump as needed.
Can an old or failing water feature be repaired or restored?
Yes. Whether it's a leaking pond, a stopped waterfall, or a fountain buried under years of scale, we track down the real cause and restore it — repairing leaks, resetting stone, replacing pumps, and refinishing surfaces to bring the feature back to life.
How do I know the job will actually be done right?
Most of the repair calls we get are fixing work that wasn't. We build to proper specifications for depth, filtration, base, and pump sizing — the fundamentals that failed builds skip — and we explain how we're doing it before we start, so you're not left guessing.
What happens if there's a problem after installation?
We stand behind our work and stay in touch after the job to make sure everything is running and holding water. If something needs attention, we come back and take care of it rather than leaving you to chase us down.
How long does an installation take?
It depends on the size and type. A fountain can often go in within a day or two, while a full pond or large waterfall typically takes several days to a couple of weeks. We'll give you a realistic timeline with your quote.
Do I need a permit for a water feature?
Some projects and locations have local code, setback, or HOA requirements, especially for larger features and the electrical work. We handle those requirements as part of the job so your installation is done properly and without surprises.
What is a dry creek bed, and do I need one?
It's a rock-lined channel that mimics a natural streambed. When it rains, it carries runoff safely across your yard; the rest of the time it's a natural-looking landscape feature. It's worth considering if you deal with pooling water, eroding slopes, or heavy runoff from downspouts.
Does a dry creek bed actually help with drainage, or is it just decorative?
Both. It's a real drainage solution that slows and redirects surface water away from your foundation and low spots, while also adding a natural feature to the yard — even people without a drainage problem install them for the look.
Do you maintain fountains for businesses and property managers?
Yes. We design, install, and maintain commercial water features, with maintenance programs built to keep them presentable and running with minimal disruption to your business.