DIY Alpine Trough - Update + Water Test - August 2026

A week or so ago, I debuted the initial build of my (DIY) Alpine trough wasserspiel (water feature) that I created out of a Styrofoam cooler and Vinyl Concrete Patch.  I built up a few layers of the concrete patch and tried to age it/paint it to make it appear more stone-like in appearance.  On top of that, I then applied a heavy-hand of spray waterproofing.  I chose Gorilla Brand Waterproof spray. 

And...it turns out....spray waterproofing (with some sort of 'solvent' in the mix that allows it to be propelled as a spray, I think??) EATS AWAY at foam.  In this case, a Styrofoam cooler.  

I sprayed the waterproofing on all sides - inside and out.  And, then, I tucked it away in the garage to await the '24 hour curing period'.  My plan was to then water-test it.  

When I grabbed it out of the garage, I noticed something.  One of the inside corners looked different.  It was soft and 'eaten away'. Ugh.  I guess I didn't apply enough concrete patch and a little hole was enough to allow the solvent to get in. 

I figured I could 'stuff' this new crevice/hole full of concrete patch and reinforce it.  I also worked to try to blend in the seams a little bit. 

This new application ALSO gave me some time to try out some limewash.  That was something that I thought I'd like to try (mentioned in my previous post) versus this watered-down paint situation.  

After waiting for a couple of days to let the concrete patch to cure, I limewashed the little spot.  Then, waited again.  And, finally I applied a new coat of spray waterproofing.   Here's how it looked after limewashing and sealing:

It was time to water-test the wasserspiel.  Is it going to hold water?  

After filling it, I left it out on our back patio table for a couple of days.  

Turns out, there was (at least) one other hole.  Because, under the cooler was a very small pool of water.  And, the water-level of the trough dropped.  But, just by a tiny bit.  

After dumping out the water, I turned the trough over and was able to see water draining out of one of the holes on one of the inside walls.  I stuffed it with a little bit more concrete patch and then re-sealed it.  

Next up:  a second (and hopefully) final water-test.  

Then, I'll look to get a pump and fixture. 

As a reminder (to myself), #23 on my 2026 to-do list was to continue to 'upgrade water and lights'.  I had this as [Incomplete] on my very recent (last week) check-in post.  I feel like if I can get this fitted and tested-out, I'll have made some good progress.