Moving Boulders By Hand

https://youtu.be/ZqMLccin1JQ

Outdoor Fire Pit Construction

We just finished this custom outdoor fire pit for our clients in Weaverville NC. 

It sits on a new extension of the backyard patio area with amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

We constructed the pit using local granite and capped it with Bluestone. 

We laid out the structure for the fire pit using concrete cap block. The blocks were mortared to the newly poured concrete slab and wrapped with wire mesh. 

Then we veneered the blocks with local re-claimed granite. 

We left some ventilation holes at the the bottom of the fire pit to allow oxygen to get to the fire. 

We will extend the existing flagstone patio around the new pit. 

We capped the fire pit with cut Bluestone. 

Using a string and a piece of rebat set in the middle of the pit, we were able to create consistent lines as we cut the cap stones. 

The finished fire pit. 

Living Waters Landscaping 

828-301-8017

Www.livingwaterslandscaping.com

Asheville Flagstone Patio Construction

We are installing a large flagstone slab patio this week in Asheville, NC. 

Each stone is set with a machine due to the size and weight. 

Should be fun!

Living Waters Landscaping 

828-301-8017

Asheville Landscaping: Stone Walkway

 

Working on a natural stone pathway in Asheville, NC this week. 

We are using a cut Crab Orchard flagstone with a Paint Creek cobblestone as filler. 

This is a dry laid walkway, meaning that there is no mortar or concrete used as we construct the path. All the stonework is set on compacted gravel. This allows a structural base for the stone that is free draining. 

 Dry laid stone work will last a lifetime if installed correctly. It has the ability to move slightly with the ground. Unlike concrete that would crack with the smallest movement. 

Give us a call for more info. 

Jacob 

Living Waters Landscaping 

828-301-8017

www.livingwaterslandscaping.com

Asheville Water Feature

 Just got this waterfall flowing today in Asheville. I am very happy with the outcome and so is our client. We work hard to build natural looking Waterfalls   

I'll post some more pics soon. 

Jacob

Living Waters Landscaping 

828-301-8017

Asheville Landscaping: Patio Update

 We finished the brick edging on the patio we are building in Asheville. Also got most of the Pennsylvania cut flagstone laid. 

Check back soon for more pics.  

Living Waters Landscaping 

828-301-8017

Asheville Landscaping: Flagstone patio

We had kind of a slow week with truck maintenance and sourcing the right materials for our clients patio in Asheville. 

Today we got the edging done for the patio. We specialize in dry laid patios like this one will be. However, we will occasionally mortar in the edging of a dry laid patio. This particular project will have a 3 ft brick skirt. With a tumbled Kentucky grey stone in the center. 

The mortared edging for this feature will keep the dry laid brick and stone from eventually migrating outward. It is not always needed to have a mortared edge. A heavy stone edge or a plastic/ metal pre-fab edge would also work. 

However, for this patio we decided that a mortared edge would be the best fit and the longest lasting edge. We tend to over-build our features a bit sometimes. 

We also prepared the base material for the patio as you can see here. We use a 3/4 drain rock for the base with a screed of 3/8 crushed stone for leveling. This is not always a standard practice for ft laid patios. However, we have found it to be superior to the traditional sand and road bond installation. The gravel allows for a stronger and free draining base.
We also attempted to install this large stepper that will be the entry stone in the patio. However, at nearly 5pm on a Friday, we decided to wait for fresh Monday morning energy!
Check back for more updates. 

Living Waters Landscaping 

828-301-8017

#ashevillelandscaping

#flagstonepatios

Asheville Landscaping: Retaining Wall Construction

We have been working on a concrete retaining wall in Asheville, Nc this week. It has been an interesting job due to the site conditions. With the temperatures ranging from 20-70 degrees, each day is very different. We build retaining walls of all sorts in the North Carolina mountains, dry stacked stone, concrete, segmented block walls and boulder walls. But the site conditions can make or break you on any job. Winter work in the mountains will always throw you a curve ball. Being prepared is the key! Prepared with the proper clothing and tools, but also prepared to face the changes on the job due to weather. 

Although this site was rather difficult, due to the fact that the wall was to be built over a culvert pipe, every job site will have its specific difficulties. Learning to foresee these issues is crucial in the development of your landscape business. We found on this job that the creek and the cold weather wasn't the biggest issue. The underground springs in the meadow above the construction site were. The footers for this wall were full of water each day and the soil was falling in. We were constantly fighting erosion. 





We approached the situation with calmness and confidence, knowing we can produce a good product no matter the conditions. So we focused on proper construction techniques, as well as staying safe and dry in such muddy conditions. We might have over built the wall a little, but better safe then sorry.

This retaining wall was built to give our clients access to their property and future home site. Raising the level of the driveway over the culvert pipe, with the construction of the concrete retaining walls, allows them to bring in heavy trucks without compromising the integrity of the pipe. 

The wall will be veneered with natural stone as a finish.

We enjoy the opportunity to build walls in Asheville, especially in the winter when other types of landscaping slows down. So no matter the weather we are thankful for the work.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding retaining walls, stone work, landscaping and, of course, water feature construction in Asheville and the surrounding area. 
We would be happy to answer any questions and we give free local estimates.

Jacob

Living Waters Landscaping

828-301-8017

Outdoor Fireplace: Asheville Stone Work

I got a call from a friend of mine who is a carpenter here in Asheville, NC. He was building a deck for one of his clients in Biltmore Park. His client asked him if he knew anyone who could build an outdoor fireplace on top of the deck. We were connected with the client and begin to design this unique feature. 
Building an outdoor fireplace on top of a deck 16 ft off the ground required some thoughtful engineering. We had to beef up the understructure of the decking to support the weight of the new feature. 

We worked closely with the carpenter and the client to finalize a design that would be both structurally sound and beautiful.


With the firebox and hearth all framed in, we started the rock work. We chose bull-nosed Kentucky Bluestone slabs for the hearth. This stone fit well with the grey Ledger stone we used for the rest of the feature.

We also decided to use the Bluestone for an arch feature over the firebox and for a 'Flower' design above the mantle.

Stone work in Asheville can be difficult due to the weather sometimes. For this project we had to cover the feature everyday around 2 pm due to thunderstorms. We actually created a full tarp covering for a couple days so we could continue working.

In addition to the basic structure, we added a gas log lighter into the firebox. This will allow our clients to easily start a fire or install a gas burning log feature in the future. The gas plumbing was installed by Goodman Plumbing. Very professional! 

Bluestone Hearth

 We are very thankful to our clients for letting us build this feature. We had a lot of fun! 
Also thankful to work with other local contractors. It makes our work feel like one big family!

Arch Construction

Finished Bluestone Arch and firebox

Living Waters Landscaping

828-301-8017

Thanks!!

Asheville Landscaping: Custom Retaining Walls and Flowers

Here is a beautiful view of some custom dry stacked retaining walls we built in Asheville, NC. Spring Tulips and a statue of Saint Francis with the walls in the background. We love building dry stone retaining walls! Call us for a free estimate. 

Jacob

828-301-8017

livingwaterslandscaping.com

Asheville pondless waterfall construction

Dry Stacked Stone Stairs Asheville

Every landscape contractor
needs a good helper to test out the
 new stone stairs you built!

Cutting Pavers and Brick

Wet or Dry Cutting?

The conversation always seems to come up when talking with other paver contractors, "Should we cut wet or dry?". 

You could ask this question for brick installation as well as natural stone patios.

Cutting stone or concrete makes a mess either way you look at it. Your choices are, working in a heavy dust cloud all day or taking extra precautions not to make a huge mess when you are wet cutting your pavers. 

The dust seems to be easier to clean up, as opposed to the mud like splatter of wet cutting residue that can quickly stain anything in comes into contact with. I still prefer to cut my stone wet, mainly because I would rather spend some extra clean up time if it means I can save my lungs.

That was until I got back from a recent Techo Block seminar. They showcased a dry cutting brick saw that was dust free! 

The IQ 360 was the saw they had on the floor and it was amazing! They were cutting pavers inside the showroom! It has a built in vacuum system that collects dust under the saw. Really a cool system.

I think I'm sold! 

Modern Style Fountain in Asheville, NC

When you think of a fountain, many images come to mind. A three tiered concrete formal fountain maybe. Or the Bellagio in Vegas? 

Even a Lion's head spitting water into a small pond.

I have these same thoughts when I get call from clients asking me to build them a fountain. I wonder what they are thinking when they say 'fountain'.

I received an invitation to build a fountain for a client in Black Mountain, NC a couple weeks ago. His first concern was the noise of the nearby Interstate 40 in the background of this rather pristine mountain home.

 Side note: this property is the land formally known as Miami Mountain. A 1920's retreat with some of the best views of the Blue Ridge in the area.  

So, bringing the relaxing sound and 'white noise' of a fountain was crucial to this project.

The other aspect of this feature was to blend the rustic, mountain cottage feel with a modern look. The house was originally built in 1926, and my client has recently renovated it inside and out. He chose to modernize the house, while still allowing some of the original construction to show through. He left the original stone work on the fireplaces for example, but made the kitchen look like the Jetsons were in town!

It's a neat look and feel, and we decided to bring this design style outside to the fountain.

We had a custom steel box made and mounted it on a Galvanized pipe set in a concrete pier under the river rock. Then we faced the pipe with stone that we harvested off the property, giving the illusion that the box is balancing on the stone. 

With about 2500 gallons per hour flowing out of the box, it makes a great sound and creates a beautiful full sheet of water.

It was a small project, but it was fun to build.

Check back later for more fun projects by Living Waters. 

Asheville Landscaping: Before and After

Flagstone Patio and Walkway

Before

After

We installed this patio and walkway, with some simple landscaping, to bring a gathering place to this newly constructed log home for our clients.

This landscape features an Arizona Peach Flagstone patio and walkway, local accent boulders, 5000 sq ft of sod lawn and a custom vegetable garden area. We installed irrigation and drainage for the site also.

We had a great time installing this landscape for our clients, and they were very pleased with the end result. 

Walkway and Garden

Patio 

Before

After

Please feel free to contact us for a free landscape estimate in the Asheville area. 

Living Waters Landscaping

828-301-8017

Stone Work/ Water Features Asheville

A Week of Final Touches...

I spent this week working on finishing up a couple jobs that I have been doing for Reems Creek Nursery.

The first job was a water feature in Madison County that we had finished last month. I went back to clean it out and do some final touches since the weather has warmed up a bit.

The second job we finished up this week was a dry stacked boulder retaining wall in Weaverville. 

I do love the days of doing the final clean up and last minute touches on jobs, it gives me a chance to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the work we have created after all the long hard hours of construction.

Asheville Japanese Garden

Just a quick post to highlight a Japanese Garden project we were blessed to be able to work on.

This garden features a cascading waterfall with approx. 15 feet of total fall. We used some beautiful Jasper boulders in the waterfall and stream.

The waterfall ends with a relaxing Koi pond.

We also enjoyed installing some really fun stone work. There was a large dry laid Autumn Flame Stone patio, and approx. 600 square ft. of Wolf Creek Natural Stone Veneer retaining wall work.

The best part of this landscape design was the use of some amazing Bonsai trees. Our client had been raising some ancient trees that he wanted to use in the landscape. Some trees were as old as 250 years. Some of the trees were planted in the ground, others were placed in traditional containers around the yard.

I feel that I am constantly learning my craft as a landscape contractor. Each project providing me with a new challenge. I hope to grow and learn more as I install landscapes and water features in the Asheville area.

Water Features Asheville

When we are designing and building waterfalls, we look to the natural environment around us. The Asheville area has some beautiful waterfalls and streams to enjoy and gather inspiration from.
However, like this waterfall we installed, the man made water feature is a combination of nature and art. Natural waterfalls tend to be a little more organic and rough around the edges, with trees and branches fallen across streams and seasonal water flow changes.
We attempt to install waterfalls and ponds to look as natural as possible, but with a crisp, artistic finish.
Recirculating water, adding filtration and building bog areas, like the the bog filter in the picture above, allow us to express the beauty that we see in nature and make it a functional feature for our clients.

We truly enjoy building ponds and waterfalls as much as we enjoy spending time in nature soaking in the beauty we find there.

Asheville here we come!

Living Waters has officially moved to Asheville, NC!
We are still offering the same quality water features and hardscapes as we did in Santa Cruz.

If you are in the Asheville area or the greater Buncome county, give us a call for a free estimate on all your pond, waterfall, flagstone patio, retaining wall or Pondless Waterfall projects.

Feel free to browse our website for project pictures and ideas.

Thanks,

Jacob

Living Waters landscaping.com 

831-566-8346
828-633-0541

Santa Cruz Landscaping: Veneer Stone

When choosing a veneer stone for your retaining wall or other masonry work, be sure to look at your options to make sure you are geting the look and feel you desire for your landscape.


There are many types of Faux Veneer Stone products to choose from. 
ElDorado Stone and Cultured Stone make some beautiful products. 


Faux veneer stone is a lightweight concrete product that is cast into a variety of shapes and colors that mimic actual stone almost identically. Faux stone is easy to work with and can be installed much faster than natural stone veneer.


However, there is nothing that compares to the beauty and color of Natural Stone Veneer.
The project featured here was constructed using a Natural Stone Veneer.
We used Wolk Creek and Autumn Flame stones for this wall.

 Stones are carefully selected and cut into place to create a one of a kind piece of functional art. 


Natural Veneer Stone is slightly harder to work with because of its weight and its density, which makes it harder to cut. 
Natural stone can be more expensive than faux stone, depending on the stone you choose to work with.


This project called for a 'Dry Stack' look. This means there are no grout joints between the stones. The result is a more naturalistic feature.


After all the stone is mortared to the wall, we cap it with a bull-nosed cap stone and seal the entire wall with a semi-gloss laquer finish.