Artificial streams can be created from many different materials, including natural stone such as sandstone. You may have this left over from building a house or laying patio paving and now want to put it to good use. In principle, sandstone can be used to build a stream, but it must be made waterproof.
Can you create a stream out of sandstone?
Building a stream out of sandstone is possible if hard, frost-resistant sandstone like Grauwacke is used. However, the sandstone bed must be carefully sealed with pond liner or epoxy resin to avoid water drawing. Alternatively, other materials such as granite, concrete or stainless steel can be used.
Properties of sandstone
Basically, sandstone is considered soft and not very resistant to frost and other adverse weather conditions. This assumption leads to the conclusion that the material, since it is constantly exposed to water and its movements, is not suitable for the construction of a stream. But no two sandstones are alike: Depending on their specific composition, some types are very hard, frost-resistant and therefore easy to use for the planned project. This is especially true for types of sandstone such as greywacke. However, you should not actually use soft and less robust sandstones, as they would quickly weather.
Seal the sandstone stream bed well
However, hard sandstone also has the property of drawing a lot of water - which is of course not desirable in a stream. However, you can make the material more or less waterproof using appropriate means.are particularly suitable for this
- Pond liner / liquid pond liner: inexpensive and proven, but visually striking due to the black color
- Epoxy resin and other viscous sealants: clear, transparent, can be applied or sprayed like paint, easy to use
The products mentioned are applied after you have designed the sandstone bed and, if necessary, grouted it with trass cement or another suitable mortar. Make sure to build the edge of the stream slightly raised so that the soil and bank vegetation do not absorb water from the stream.
Alternatives to sandstone
If sandstone is too delicate for you due to its lower weather resistance depending on the type, you can use other alternatives:
- Use of hard rock, for example granite
- Model a stream from concrete (and embedded natural stones)
- Build a stream from stainless steel
- design a natural biotope with the help of pond liner
Simple pond liner is the material of choice when it comes to building a natural biotope. Pond liner allows for individual design options because it is very flexible. Well hidden (e.g. under potting soil and stones), it is hardly noticeable.
Tip
Instead of building the stream out of sandstone, use the material for decoration! Arranged along the bank of the stream, the stones appear very natural and significantly enhance the overall picture.
