SPLASHING OUT AT HOME

       "Waterfall size depends heavily on space,budget and a person's belief in feng shui.
       "I've always been quite cautious, paying attention to details, so I decided to buy the insurance. Although I'm young, nobody knows the future and I don't want to leave the burden to my family.

       Water has always played a vital role in nurturing all life. Apart from nourishing our body, water also refreshes our soul with its intrinsic miracles.
       A vast array of household fountains dancing merrily at night can make the nocturnal ambiance more spectacular and vivacious.
       The sound of water running through an artificial waterfall is able to soothe many souls seeking a bit of hydrotherapy at home.
       Unsurprisingly, these two items are the latest hot feature in many households as some people want to live a healthier life amid the natural environment - and with these two choices they can get close to nature via the most simple and accessible channels.
       "Fountains and remodelled waterfalls can exude a sense of cooling and serenity to the house and its inhabitants. Besides, many people also enjoy watching the running and dancing water and listening to its solacing sound," said Nuntapom Ketpongsuda, a landscape designer at Sea Square Thai.
       "On top of that, these aquatic installations can be placed even in small areas since now they come in all sizes and designs to suit the vastly different lifestyles of city dwellers who rarely have time to appreciate natural beauty up close."
       According to Nuntapom, today's artificial fountain, or nam pu pradit , comes in four styles including the ready-made fountain,made-to-order fountain, fountain with a sculpture or terracotta and big fountain, usually installed in the middle of a natural pond.
       The ready-made fountain comes with a pump and a small tub which can be installed yourself. More importantly, it consumes less electricity.
       The made-to-order fountain depends on the customers' needs and personal taste. Its size can be modified to suit a chosen location.
       Fountains with a sculpture or terracotta can be very artistic and lively. This type is very popular as it gives garden lovers more stories to tell their guests. Most importantly,it can be located either inside or outside or at any corner of the house to enhance the atmosphere.
       Big fountains are normally suitable for a large pond as they help oxygenate the water for plants and fish.
       What makes each kind of artificial fountain different is the many sprinkle jets that can Yes, it can, beautifully and sometimes sexily.But "cold dancers" can lose their balance and give an inferior performance if they get dirty. So it is strongly recommended to keep these dancers clean from time to time to ensure their best performance.
       According to Nuntapom, it is a piece of cake to maintain fountains of all types,especially small ones.
       "It's as easy as cleaning other kitchen appliances so you can do it by yourself," he said.
       Here are some tips provided by Nuntapom to keep the fountain cool and clean.
       Keep water in the fountain tub full at all times as some kinds of pump will stop working or break if the water level is too low.
       Keep the fountain and pump jets free from dirt. Regularly scoop out the basin to avoid clogging the jets.
       If there is an electricity blackout, switch off the pump immediately to prevent any damage.
       The fountain should be cleaned monthly or more.
       Turn off electricity before cleaning the fountain.
       Remove the fountain jet and carefully clean it to get rid of any clotted debris, mosses, and rotten leaves.
       Remove the pump and also clean it according to the instructions.
       Refill the water until it reaches the right level.
create unique "water sculptures".
       Some kinds of sprinkler heads release a single line of water while others produce a spray. More sophisticated designs can give different layers to the fountain.
       However, not all types of jets are compatible with all fountains. For example, a big sprinkler head is perfect only for a large basin.
       But if it is used with a smaller basin, water can spill out from the edge of the basin,
making the entire area wet and slippery.
       More importantly, water inside the basin must be refilled more frequently which can result in a higher charge for electricity and water.
       On the contrary, if a small fountain jet is installed in a large pond, it will yield no aesthetic impact at all. So the size of the fountain should be in line with that of its basin.
       "When it comes to the selection of a fountain, homeowners should take many things into consideration like its style, size and price.They should not consider only their personal penchant because only the right fountain is congruous with the right location," said Nuntapom.
       According to Nuntapom, the ideal place to install a fountain should not be under trees since fallen leaves can make the fountain tub or pond dirty more easily. And it should not be located in a windy area as the wind can blow away the fountain's stream.
       As for the remodelled waterfall, it is mainly categorised into four designs including the ready-made waterfall made from rock or concrete, those made from plastic or resin, fibreglass waterfalls and made-to-order waterfalls made from various kinds of materials such as natural and artificial rocks.
       According to Nuntapom, the first type is rather small but heavy, ranging from 3kg to 100kg. It can be used to decorate a tray garden or installed in a vast garden.
       Plastic and resin waterfalls are mainly used for the tray or glass tank garden.
       For those who want an endurable product,the fibreglass waterfall can serve the purpose.Its styles are varied, depending on the manufacturers' imagination and expertise.The last pattern has no fixed design. Its price is a bit exorbitant, starting from five to six digits, depending on its size and components.
       "Waterfall size depends heavily on space,budget and a person's belief in feng shui,"said Nuntapom.
       No matter how beautiful or expensive they are, both fountains and waterfalls of all designs can become an eyesore in no time if left unused.
       "If you want to see them as gleaming like new, you should take care of them with your heart. Long-term maintenance is crucial. If part of your happiness comes from these two sources, you should take good care of your sources of happiness. Don't just follow the fad," stressed Nuntapom.