Placement & Safety

How to safely place and support your cast stone concrete fountain, birdbath, planter, statue, or bench.

⚠️ CAUTION: Excessive weight or pressure on a concrete garden ornament may cause it to fall. Keep children & others from climbing, sitting, or leaning on fountains, birdbaths, statuary, and planters.

Fountain Safety

Traditional fountains have no interlocking components and are held together by gravity. Gluing or cementing parts together is not recommended, as they may need to be dismantled to replace the pump, hardware, or to relocate the fountain.

Placement by Type

Benches

Nestle into pea gravel for the ultimate support. Otherwise, any stable, level surface will work.

Birdbaths, Statuary & Planters

Nestle into pea gravel for the ultimate support. Otherwise, any stable, level surface will work. A foundation slab will provide solid support when needed.

Fountains — Tiered / Freestanding (no basin)

A concrete fountain must be placed on a level and firm surface, and not raised off the ground more than the inch or two that would occur if using a foundation.
A foundation slab will additionally help prevent unplanned erosion from the weather, sprinkler system, and fountain splash.
For both safety and optimal performance, do not place a fountain on a pedestal or riser unless included as part of the fountain's design.

Fountains — Wall

Wall fountains require a solid vertical wall support, such as a brick or stucco wall with studs. Drywall or plywood alone will not provide adequate support.
Secure the fountain to the wall with a bracket, or with galvanized wire, chain, or similar heavy-duty hardware, to firmly mount top components to the wall structure.
If recessing the fountain into a wall or structure, use professional contractors who understand concrete expansion principles and the required joint spacing and materials to accommodate the buildup of stress as concrete naturally expands and contracts seasonally.
Consult your local hardware store regarding hardware and the weight of the item relative to your wall material.

Giannini Giannini wall fountains include a steel bar built into the back, near the top, made specifically for mounting — secure the fountain to the wall using this bar.

Fountains — Basin/Pond Style

Install on either a 4" concrete slab or approximately 6" of pea gravel or crushed rock/limestone.
In climates with little to no freeze cycle, a thin sand layer (about ½"–1½") on top of a slab or hard surface can help the basin settle and self-level — grout the sand after installation if using this method.
Avoid sand as bedding in freeze-prone climates. Sand retains moisture, which can damage the basin during winter freeze/thaw cycles.

Fiore Stone Most basins have a 1" coupling (or hole) near the center for the pump's power cord to run through and out beneath the basin. Placing a sweep of at least 1½" conduit or PVC underneath the basin, from the center out to the edge or power source, is a smart consideration — it prevents major dismantling if the pump ever needs to be replaced. Consult an electrician regarding local code requirements.

Fiore's -FRB/-FRG and -FKB/-FKG are basin-style fountains; however, because they utilize a polyethylene plastic tub, the fountain components placed inside the tub must be treated as "Pedestal" type fountains.

Need a fountain foundation or display for your statue or planter? Shop Display Accessories →