Universal Rocks is realistic and durable

Universal Rocks Swimming Pool Waterfalls are molded from natural boulders, they can’t help but look realistic. When you see them in person the question of realism is answered.  The base color of brown or grey is 100% through and through the polyurea material.

Water is supplied from a stubbed-up pipe on your deck if it was planned for, or you can run an additional 1.5″ PVC pipe from your current pool pump. Many smaller to medium waterfall units can get enough water from a sidewall jet. You install a 90-degree fitting in the jet and route your line under the lip of the waterfall or edge rock then to the fitting in the waterfall.  We also have an independent pump option that sits behind the waterfall, perhaps under another rock, and the intake is routed to under the waterfall lip with screened inlet and check valve to maintain prime for the pump. Then the discharge of the compact pump is routed to the fitting in the waterfall.

The oxides used for additional coloring variations are melted into the polyurea as it’s sprayed in the mold. It doesn’t fade or change like stained or painted concrete. The proof is in the 25 year old installed product that still looks great. Engineered rock has proven itself from Australian intense sun to Canadian ice encasing the product for months. We also demonstrate durability by spraying it with a 5000 psi pressure washer within inches of its surface, as well as whacking it with a hammer. Engineered Rock is unquestionably durable.

Universal Rocks doesn’t leak and you don’t have to use any additional waterproofing material when installing them.

As a koi pond builder for 20 years using natural (real) stone, we had reservations ourselves about using “faux” rock.  What got our attention was the ease of installation and integration on swimming pool decks. They simply sit on the edge and lips over creating a custom look and no leaks. Their light weight means no deck reinforcement or crazy effort to assemble them.

Here’s more benefits we have experienced using Universal Rocks Waterfalls.

#1. Universal Rocks has a 5 yr. no-leak warranty.

Universal Rocks doesn’t leak and you don’t have to use any additional waterproofing material when installing.  The Polyurea exterior material combined with high density Polyethylene foam creates a product that simply doesn’t leak. Once your pipe is glued to the encapsulated pvc fitting(s) using primer & glue, they simply do not leak.  10 years later, they don’t leak.  20 years later, they don’t leak.  This is an absolute game changer for water feature building.  So many features leak post construction. This design and leak proof feature cannot be overstated.

#2. Universal Rocks is surprisingly light.

There can be a perception that a lighter product is a lessor product compared to a heavier product.  Well, it isn’t in this case, just like carbon fiber and Kevlar are not inferior products. It’s simply technology. Beautifully realistic molded pieces of natural stone that weighed 1000 lbs. and now weigh 40 lbs. is another incomparable game changer. Transporting from factory to distribution center to job site, through limited access points and never needing equipment to move is a huge benefit.  This allows do-it-yourselfers and contractors to execute substantial size water features that were never possible before.  It also allows you to build on a pool deck that was not reinforced to support a typical 1500 – 8000+ lb. structure, again a game changer.

#3. Universal Rocks is very realistic and durable.

Molded from natural boulders, they can’t help but look realistic. When you see them in person the question of realism is answered.  The base color of brown or grey is 100% through and through the polyurea material. The oxides used for additional coloring variations are melted into the polyurea as it’s sprayed in the mold. It doesn’t fade or change like stained or painted concrete. The proof is in the products that have been installed 25 years installed and still look great. Engineered rock has proven itself from intense sun to ice encasing the product for months. We also demonstrate durability by spraying it with a 5000 psi pressure washer within inches of it’s surface, as well as whacking it with a hammer. Engineered Rock is unquestionably durable.

#4. Universal Rocks is permanent, but not permanent.

In most cases a waterfall would stay where it was installed until it was demolished for removal.  Engineered Rock can stay in one location for decades, or if you need to alter your area for some reason, it can easily be un-installed and repurposed or re-installed. I never really thought of this benefit until I worked with this product.  Pool decks get renovated, your taste or a new homeowner’s taste may change. There’s no big demo expense to remove them. This has value. If you install Engineered Rock Waterfalls, you may want to set up a display at a tradeshow or your showroom, or take some pieces to a customer to show them how it will look. The lightweight and preassembled rocks allow you to do this no problem

#5. Universal Rocks quick installation & value.

Have you ever heard, “The price is only part of what you pay”. The overall experience including the extra details/intangibles required have a certain cost.  Hiring a contractor to build you a “custom water feature” typically means you get to live with them during the experience. 3, 6, 12 days? How many jobs that were supposed to be done in a couple days ended up taking quite a bit longer. I think most of us have experienced this “intangible cost” and all the frustrations associated.  Engineered Rock typically installs in 4-8 hrs.  That’s good for the end user and the installer. Another price you may pay when having a one-off custom water feature is when the permanent structure starts to leak 6 -24 months later. Another experience we can all live without. 😊

#6.  It looks exactly like you thought, unlike many custom rock waterfalls may turn out.

It’s hard to make a natural stone waterfall look exactly like a drawing or picture.  The scale of things can also get out of whack between the original plan and the finished product, possibly leading to disappointment with the finished product. Not with Engineered Rock.  Every model or additional edge rock looks exactly like the picture and measures the same every time.  This is another big advantage of this product.

There are certain projects where natural stone, or a cement faux stone may be better to use. However, the fact is, for most projects Universal Rocks simply has far more benefits and value over those alternatives.

Lightweight: Our faux rocks are significantly lighter than other materials, like real rock, stone, resin and cement rock.

Easy Installation: Decorative rocks are designed for quick and simple, hassle-free, DIY-friendly installation. Enjoy your oasis in less than a day, no heavy equipment or prior experience needed!

Durability: These artificial rocks are built to accommodate significant weight, withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures, hail and won’t chip or crack like fiberglass. It’s basically truck bed-liner – almost indestructible!

Low Maintenance: Constructed from high-quality materials, they require minimal upkeep and can be easily cleaned with a pressure washer unlike foam rocks to remove algae or calcium build up.

Realistic design: Life-like appearance, molded from real rock and stone. Colored with embedded crushed rocks and sands – no paints or stains are used!

Simple Connection: Compatible with standard PVC plumbing, our waterfall kits easily integrate with your existing pool equipment, by connecting to the outlet(s) built into the waterfalls.

Free Shipping: All pool rock decor ships FREE!

Special Considerations:

• After chlorinating or shocking your swimming pool, do NOT run your waterfall until it is safe to enter. Doing so can result in a bleached effect that could potentially ruin the finish of your feature. Normal levels of chlorine, however, will not affect your waterfall.
• When selecting the perfect waterfall kit for your pool, be sure to consider its curvature. Our water features have straight edges, and may not fit flush to pools with distinctly round edges. If you’re looking to accent the look of a more convex curved pool, take a look at our Grotto and Sunbake Falls Waterfalls. See example here  They always work on straight edge pools
• Please note that Universal Rocks does not provide tubing with these units, and recommends using flexible PVC pipe during installation.
• Three-way valves are recommend to turn your waterfall on and off and control the waterflow.
• Submersible pumps are strongly discouraged to operate our water features on your swimming pool due to safety reasons.
• All pool waterfall kits, will arrive on a pallet and be dropped at the end of your driveway by a freight carrier.