How to Prepare a Surface Foundation for a Cast Stone Fountain

A cast stone fountain uses a combination of cement, a variety of stones and concrete coloring to create a mix that the fountain creator can mold into a natural looking stone fountain full of minute details. The combination of materials is heavy, though, and requires a strong foundation to sit on to prevent the fountain's tipping over. While a thin layer of sand will suffice for smaller fountains with a base less than 2 feet in diameter, larger fountains require a concrete slab. However, this slab doesn't need to be thick. A 2-inch pour will create the stability you need, creating a surface foundation that will keep your fountain standing precisely where you want it for as long as you want.

Tape measure
Spade
Tamper
Gravel
2-by-4 wood planks
Wood screws
Electric screwdriver
Wooden stakes
Wheelbarrow
Concrete mix
Wooden screed
Plastic sheeting
Bricks

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the base of the fountain with a tape measure to determine the size of the foundation surface needed.
- 2
  Dig a foundation hole in the position where you wish to place the fountain 4 inches deep using a spade. Make the hole at least 5 inches wider in width or diameter than the base of the fountain. Compress the soil at the bottom of the hole with a tamper.
- 3
  Create a wooden form for the concrete, using 2-by-4 boards placed on the 2-inch sides and measuring 3 inches greater in diameter than the base of the fountain. Screw the boards together at the joints with wood screws using an electric screwdriver. Place the boards into the hole, lining the walls.
- 4
  Pour 2 inches of gravel into the hole. Tamp the gravel to compress the material.
- 5
  Mix the concrete for the foundation in a wheelbarrow. Add water to the dry mix and use the spade to fold the concrete within the wheelbarrow to incorporate the water. Add enough water to create a pourable concrete with an oatmeal consistency.
- 6
  Scoop the concrete into the form with the spade. Fill the form to the top where it's even with the surface of the ground.
- 7
  Drag a wood screed across the top of the wood form along the top of the poured concrete to level it off.
- 8
  Cover the concrete with plastic sheeting and weigh the edges of the sheeting down with bricks. Let the concrete cure for 10 days then remove the sheeting and the wooden forms. Allow it to cure another 20 days and then place the fountain over the new surface foundation.
- 9
  Fill in the space around the foundation with some of the soil you removed from the foundation hole using the spade

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