Maintenance & Cleaning
Basics of Fountain Maintenance
Prevent and remove algae from fountain
With a couple drops of algaecide, you can prevent or eliminate algae from ever inhabiting your fountain.
Leak in the fountain
If the base leaks without a visible crack, please let the fountain sit for one week and the crack will appear white. This is to test that a crack exists. Always keep water in outdoor water fountains three-quarters full as it does evaporate! A pinhole-sized leak can be covered up with clear Silicone II on the inside of the piece. This method applies to fiberglass or stone fountains
Hard water cleaning
White scale is a calcium buildup that develops from hard water. A simple solution is to try to remove it by using white vinegar. Rub the buildup gently and run the fountain afterwards to see the white wash away. Water carries molecules and can wash away the free deposits. There are also some great fountain care products to help prevent white scale. A product such as White Scale Control or Fountain Cleanser will help keep your water clean. To prevent hard water, a water softner, bleach, or salt system can be used.
hard water cleaning
Preparing for winter
During winter months, before the temperature hits freezing, drain your outdoor water fountain. Unplug the pump, store the pump in a heated area and cover the fountain. The fountain itself will not freeze because most outdoor fountains contain fiberglass and are designed to withstand the cold. You don’t want to have water left in your fountain when it freezes as it could expand and contract, causing the fountain to crack. Since the concrete in a cast stone garden fountain is porous in nature it tends to absorb water. Cold weather causes the water trapped in the pores to freeze and expand and this may cause the concrete to crack. To avoid this, ideally the water fountain should be allowed to dry up much before winter sets in and ensure it remains dry through the winter. Experts would also suggest reinforcing the foundation before any outdoor fountain is installed to avoid ground moisture from seeping into the concrete. You could also use surface sealers manufactured specifically for concrete surfaces that can applied as soon as the surface of the fountain is done. These sealers form a protective gel like layer that ensures the integrity of the surface and provides protection against the forces of nature.
Routine Maintenance
- Check the water level frequently and add more water as needed, making sure to keep the water pump covered with water at all times. Use distilled water, if possible, to reduce the amount of mineral buildup in the fountain and on the water pump.
- Remove debris, such as leaves, twigs and insects, from the water several times a week, using a small net. Check the water pump to remove any debris that might clog it, preventing it from circulating water properly.
- Unplug the pump and drain the water from the fountain at least once monthly or when the water appears dirty. Most fountains have a small plug on the bottom to make draining easy, otherwise scoop or siphon the water with a piece of tubing.
- Remove the pump from the fountain and soak in a 50 percent solution of diluted distilled white vinegar to loosen tough mineral stains. Wipe the outside with a soft cloth.
- Remove the pump cover and remove any large debris from the inside with your hands. Use an old toothbrush to clean and remove small deposits of algae and mineral buildup in hard-to-reach areas. Rinse thoroughly and replace the pump cover.
- Scrub the inside of the fountain with a stiff-bristled scrub brush, hot water and mild dish detergent. If needed, use vinegar to soak up mineral stains or baking soda, which acts as a mild abrasive to loosen and lift stains.
- Rinse the inside of the fountain thoroughly, wiping with a rag to ensure the fountain walls are completely free of detergent.
- Replace the plug and fill the fountain with distilled water containing fewer minerals than tap water, if possible. For larger fountains requiring a lot of water, add a few teaspoons of chlorine bleach to tap water or treat the water with a fountain enzyme product designed to prevent mineral and algae buildup. Use only about one teaspoon of bleach for smaller fountains.
- Put the pump back in the water, plug it into an electrical outlet and turn it on to begin circulating the water.
- Drain, clean, disassemble and store your fountain indoors from early fall to spring if you live in an area with frost danger in which you can’t operate the fountain year-round.
Repairs
For pump damage or replacement, seek an expert installer. For small fountains with small pumps, you remove the existing pump and connect on the new pump. Check the existing pump before buying a new one to make sure the new one is the correct size, shape, and all the connections will fit correctly.