How to Build a Large Indoor Wall Fountain

Measure two sections of 2-by-6-inch lumber to the width of the fountain pan and two sections to the length. Put on safety goggles and work gloves. Cut the lumber sections to length with a circular saw.

Miter the ends of the width and length sections at 45-degree angles with a miter saw. Assemble the sections to form a rectangle and drill pilot holes through the corners with a drill. Insert and tighten 4-inch wood screws with an electric screwdriver to secure the frame of the fountain pan.

Measure and cut a section of 3/8-inch-thick plywood to the width and length of the fountain pan with a table saw. Place the plywood section on top of the rectangular frame and align the edges. Drill pilot holes through the plywood into the frame and insert 4-inch wood screws through the pilot holes.

Cut two sections of 2-by-6-inch lumber 6 inches shorter than the finished height of the fountain wall with a circular saw. Cut two additional sections equal to the width of the fountain. Miter these sections at 45-degree angles.

Assemble the height and width sections into a rectangle. Drill pilot holes though the corners and secure the sections with 4-inch wood screws.

Turn the fountain pan frame over so that the plywood faces the floor. Stand the back frame on the back of the pan frame. Drill pilot holes through the bottom of the back frame into the pan frame and secure the two frame sections with 4-inch wood screws.

Measure a section of cement backer board to the width and height of the back frame. Score the backer board along the measurements with a utility knife and snap the backer board along the corner of a work table.

Secure the backer board to the wall of the fountain with 3-inch screws. Cut backer board sections to cover the bottom and sides of the fountain pan and secure these sections to the frame with 3-inch screws.

Drill a 1-inch hole through the backer board and the back section of the pan frame for the pump tube. Drill another 1-inch hole through the backer board and the top section of the wall frame.

Secure stone or ceramic tile to the bottom and sides of the fountain pan, as well as the fountain wall, with thinset mortar. Cut tiles to fit as necessary with a wet saw before applying the tiles to the backer board.

Apply grout to the joints between the tiles with a grout float. Wipe away excess grout with a damp sponge.

Feed the pump tube through the hole at the bottom of the fountain back. Run the tub up the wall behind the backer board and out the top hole. Apply caulk around the tube where it exits and enters the fountain.