Water and Lava Blocks can be very messy but luckily you can manipulate them and even prevent them from spreading. Of course placing a normal Block can prevent the spread of Lava and Water but what if you want to see it? Maybe you’re using the Water and Lava as décor or making a fighting ring and you want to use lava as part of an obstacle course. The below methods can aid you in such endeavors.

 

Pressure Plates

Pressure Plates are a great way to contain Water and Lava and make them basically free stand. Litter an area with “free standing” Lava like this to make an intense obstacle course or use the Water to slow other player’s movements. These can also be used as traps by luring mobs into them you can slow them down and even cause damage.

No Effect

When using Pressure Plates water surrounding a Lava or Water Block will not affect them. So if you have a Lava Block placed and you surround it with water it won’t be extinguished, the same thing will occur with the Water Block, it will not merge with the water surrounding it.

Ladders and Signs

The use of Ladders and Signs can create a pathway or hall with a Water or Lava ceiling, which can make your house stand out from others. Alternatively they can be used when digging out a mine – by simply blocking the Lava above you and allowing you to see the layout of the Lava. You can conjure some interesting things by using Ladders and Signs like adding a Sticky piston to the mix, now you control the downward flow of the Lava or Water above.

Pistons

Pistons can also Block water and Lava flow with the arm alone, some people think you need to have a block attached but this isn’t true. Extend the arm below the water or lava and the Piston Arm will hold the water or lava in place. Add a Lever or Button to control the flow.

How it works

In Minecraft everything as you already know is made up of blocks, this includes “Blocks” that don’t look like a whole block. Even though the Pressure Plate, Ladder or Sign don’t look as if they are a full block they actually are. Therefore they will react to other Blocks as such.