Author: Joe Cadieux

Joe Cadieux is the Senior Biologist for Midwestponds.com. Midwestponds was started to provide the products and advice needed to build and maintain water gardens and large ponds as naturally as possible. Joe consults and manages many lakes and ponds throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. He also takes special pleasure as a judge at the University School of Milwaukee’s Spring Science Fair.

Maintenance Tips for Your Garden Fountain

Nothing perfects the beauty of your stylish landscaping like the soothing murmurs and giggles of a water fountain as it splashes about in comparative ease. The serenity this adds to your outdoor space is something you will come to love and cherish, so, it pays to keep your fountain in perfect condition and water quality.

Whether you are planning to have a fountain set up in your garden, or you have one already, this article is for you. For the following three to four minutes, we will elucidate the most important facts in keeping your fountain fully operational.

MAINTAINING A WATER FOUNTAIN

Your outdoor water fountain will see considerably more strain and face many more potential problems than an inside fountain. By knowing the hazards your fountain faces, you will be better able to preserve the beauty and functionality of this attractive garden aesthetic.

Keep the pump submerged in water — keep a close eye on the water in your fountain. If you see the water is running low, add more to keep the water pump well-submerged. Depending on your location, the climate, the type of waterfall you have, and its water capacity, this will have to be done more or less often.

Clean the pump regularly — this is essential to preserve the functionality of your pump. When leaves, dirt, and debris get caught in the mechanisms of your pump it causes strain on the mechanisms and can lead to breakdown and replacements. Once every three to four months, it will need to be detached from the fountain and left to soak overnight in a bucket of vinegar water. Return the pump to its proper place and fill the fountain before turning the fountain back on.

Another good way to protect the inner workings of your pump from attrition is to place a sock over the intake aperture of your pump. Fasten this with a sturdy band and the sock will screen out debris before it has a chance to do any harm.

Keep the Fountain Clean — The water in the fountain, as well as the fountain bowl and watercourse itself, should be kept as clean as possible. Dust, dirt, fallen leaves, and algae will tend to collect in the fountain and will have to be removed before any damage comes to the delicate water pump. You will have to create your own schedule for this task as the location of the fountain is the primary factor in how soon it will need cleaning — but never wait any longer than two or three months.

Attention to the material — different fountains are made of different materials and these will have different needs and require different kinds of maintenance. For example, ceramic fountains should be treated with softer cloths and soap, while a stainless-steel fountain may require a brisk scrubbing with steel wool.

Keeping the Fountain Running all The Time — this is a more common question than you would imagine and the answer is, YES! You should keep your fountain running all the time. First of all, this is why you bought the thing in the first place to create a constantly soothing atmosphere in your property, right?

The other important reason is that turning the pump on and off is not good for the pumps and can cause them to wear out quickly. Each time the pump is flicked on and off it has to work extra hard to get the flow going smoothly and efficiently. Then, each time the water is allowed to sit still it gets dirtier faster, this will mean the motor in the pump is strained and breakdowns can ensue.

Conclusion — Your fountain will be a thing of beauty and joy to your home and life for as long as it lasts. By considering the needs of your fountain, you can make the decisions that will preserve its longevity.

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