Just like a flower garden or manicured lawn, an outdoor water fountain requires regular maintenance to keep it looking beautiful. Adding a floor fountains or wall fountain to your backyard, patio, or garden is an easy way to add visual interest and to mask city noise. A serene and bubbling fountain, featuring your company’s logo, sends a message of prosperity.
Outdoor fountains require different care and attention than their indoor counterparts. When purchasing a fountain for your outdoor space, be sure that the fountain is weatherproofed and rated for outdoor use. Wind, heavy rain, snow, dirt, and even falling leaves can affect the way your fountain runs.
Gist Ball and Wok Outdoor Water Fountain
Performing regular cleaning helps prevent things like staining and algae growth. Use our maintenance guide to help you keep your fountain running beautifully.
Cleaning Your Fountain
To clean your water fountain’s pump, first turn off the fountain, then remove the pump from the water. Use a cloth to wipe away any dirt or build up. Clean the inside of the pump using a small brush—old toothbrushes are great for this! Rinse the pump thoroughly before replacing it. Depending on your location, you may need to clean the pump more regularly due to sand, leaves, and other debris. Regular pump maintenance is the key to your fountain’s performance.
Always remove leaves, sticks, and large debris from the fountain basin. Check for pump clogs regularly, especially after rain and/or wind. Your fountain may be visited frequently by birds, so adding clean water to the reservoir is not only good for keeping your fountain clean, but is good for your feathered friends. In hot weather, you will need to add water to the fountain more frequently as the water evaporates.
Any time you deep clean your fountain, be sure to remove and clean any stones or decorative elements separately. A bucket of mild soap and water and a sponge is all you need to wash your fountain, with a stiff brush to remove any stuck-on residue or algae. Calcium buildup, or white scale, can be washed away with a bit of plain white vinegar.
Algae Prevention
Algae is the smelly green slime that grows in ponds, fountains, and tanks and it can affect your fountain’s filter and pump if not treated for properly. Murky, algae-filled water will dim the lights on your fountain. Even with regular cleaning, some algae is inevitable. To prevent algae growth, it is important to deep clean your fountain at least every three months. Algae grows from the debris and waste that can collect in fountains over time. To clean away algae, use a brush on the basin. Algae can grow on the undersides of stones and in the reservoir, so be sure to give those a good scrub as well.
To best prevent algae growth, place your fountain in partial or full shade. Light accelerates algae growth. When cleaning your fountain, always add fresh, clean water. If your fountain does not house fish or live plants, you can add a capful of household bleach to further prevent algae growth. Algaecide is available at pool supply and home improvement stores.
Weather Prep
If you live in a cold climate, you will need to prepare your fountain for the winter months. Drain the fountain completely before the temperature drops to freezing. This is important to prevent the basin from shattering or the pump from breaking. First, unplug the pump and then remove it. Store the pump indoors for the winter. The fountain itself can remain outside, but you may want to cover it to prevent debris from falling in over the winter. In dry and dusty weather, fountains require extra cleaning to prevent pump clogs.
Leaks
Fountains can appear to have leaks, especially in hot weather. Keep the water reservoir at least three quarters full at all times. If your fountain does have a leak, silicone sealant can be used on tiny cracks. Larger leaks may require special repair.
With these simple tips, you will be able to keep your fountain sparkling clean and running smoothly, year-round. CustomLogoFountains.com is proud to offer an amazing selection of indoor and outdoor fountains. Choose from a variety of floor, wall, and tabletop fountains. Customize your outdoor fountain to give your garden a special touch. Our customer service team is available seven days a week to help you with your order.
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