Pittsburgh Stone & Waterscape Technical Specifications

This simple Aquatic Design Technical Specification Bulletin is provided to help the homeowner learn and understand the basics of water garden construction details.

The decision to install water garden features to enhance a homeowners’ landscape can be a way to increase the value of an owners’ property. There are many factors to consider with design and layout as the water garden that is planned and installed needs to consider many design elements that require year-round care and oversight. Whether it is a simple, easy to take care of and maintain type design to attention needed every day, the chore of caring for a water garden is a very rewarding past time. With proper care and maintenance you too can enjoy a Pittsburgh stone & waterscape for years to come!

Therefore, our advice is — “learn about and take your time to make a decision”. — We encourage the homeowner to examine as many different concepts and choices as possible. Look through “Pins” on Pinterest and” Ideabooks or Projects” on Houzz. Pick up and examine as many of the various landscaping design booklets as well as offerings made by the landscape supply houses, to get a sense of what is available in the way of ideas. For your convenience, we have listed embedded sites to view at the end of the bulletin.

Aquatic Design
Our aquatic design experience is principally with homeowners, golf courses, and hospice associations, where we have either installed their pond water feature design or created one from a blank piece of paper.

In each case, a budget was established that matched a project scope. Whether the idea considered a fountain, Koi pond or a water garden with a waterfall, the detail was well thought out in these Pittsburgh stone & waterscapes. Utility access such as water and electric (120 or 220 volts) as well as year-round operation were reviewed in depth to make sure the operating objectives were met.

If starting with a blank piece of paper, Wichman Landscape Construction recommends that you first establish your wish list and then a budget. Review carefully suppliers online as many will list products with pricing information. That is a great way to quickly determine if the pond or water feature project is feasible. Lastly, visit various landscape supply houses and local big box stores to establish the cost of supporting materials you would like to consider. Then use the use the embedded Wichman worksheet Grid technical sheet.pdf to layout both a plot as well as an elevation plan, if necessary, to develop the design.

Once the grid is developed, Wichman Landscape Construction will develop a 3D design layout of the envisioned project and work with the homeowner to refine shape, size, and features of the design. This layout will develop a plot plan showing the project. It is a great way to define the breadth of the scope as well as cost. A lot of work goes into preparing the overview and 3D design drawings are a great way to simplify and alter design features to meet the homeowner’s requirements as well as zero in on an acceptable budget.

When first starting to scope out the project, consider these issues:

Property Lot lines. Your municipality will have copies of your lot survey on file. The survey will not only identify property lines but may provide a scaled template of your lot to help in the planning.
Utilities. Buried utility lines such water, cable, electric and gas may prevent you from constructing portions of the project. Mark the lines, if you know where they are, or call your local utility to have them mark the lines.
Neighbors. Depending on the project scope and the proximity to neighboring properties, let your neighbors know about your project before you begin.
Soil. One of the most important aspects of landscape design will be the type of soil that the project will encounter. Soil type conditions will impact flora designs. Review the soil type with Wichman Landscape Construction.

Planning Your Aquatic Design:
Use the embedded Wichman worksheet Grid technical sheet.pdf to layout both a plot as well as elevation plan to develop the design.

Please fill in the blanks to develop the aquatic design:

Fountain diameter__________, height_________ # of tiers_____________ area_________
Fountain pump placement________________
Water garden type: Pondless___________, or not Pondless ___________
Water garden pond size in gallons____________
Water garden pond size in area: length______________, width___________________
Water fall height & width_____________
Gallon per hour flow rate required_____________________
Lighting type___________________, underwater or above ground_______________
Landscaping required____________
Lastly use a separate paper to describe requirements as necessary

Please consider the following:
A. Compliance of site to latest site plan

Does the site plan and layout coincide with current site conditions?
Do the section drawings match the topography of the job-site?
Have site utilities been accounted for?
Are there any recommendations for changes to the site plans to accommodate the added features such as utilities?

B. Review of above-grade water management

Has surface runoff been accounted for in the site design?
Will this site be irrigated?
If storm drains become inoperable where will the water migrate to?
During renovation of land will temporary drainage be an issue?

C. Review of below grade water management

How and where will drain piping be installed?
Is it possible to vent drain pipe to daylight?
Is venting to a storm drainage system an option?
Will outlets be located and protected from blockage or damage?

D. Site Access

Does the site have easy access to earth moving equipment?
Is there a plan to remediate the property to its former condition if the equipment used to install large shrubs damages the surrounding property?
Does the site allow for the transportation of soil either taken from or brought to the site as fill?

E. Recommended Wichman & social media sites to view for further information and ideas.

Download the technical specifications sheet.

Download the grid technical sheet.

Product Specifications

Pittsburgh Stone & Waterscape Technical Specifications

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