subject: How to Take Care of Your Outdoor Water Fountain [print this page] How to Take Care of Your Outdoor Water Fountain
An outdoor water fountain calls for a little more care and attention than an indoor one, due to the depredations of the weather and the presence of plants and wildlife. But if you take good care of your outdoor water fountain, it can last you for a lifetime.
Water Treatment
You can use an algae inhibitor or algae removal product to help clarify the water in your outdoor water fountain. You should replace the water whenever it starts looking cloudy or acquires a bad odor. However, if you plan to use it as a birdbath, then the water should be replaced every other day if not daily. Simple dispose of the old water, brush the reservoir with a stiff brush, rinse and add fresh filtered water.
Regular water treatment and cleaning is the first step in keeping your fountain running smoothly.
Pump Cleaning
An outdoor water fountain is subject to a great deal of contamination from the forces of Mother Nature. Install your fountain in a visible place so that you can check the bowl daily for large objects such as leaves or twigs, and periodically remove the entire pump. Open it up and make sure that the interior is free of leaves, dirt, stones and other debris. If this material is left in the pump too long, it can do serious damage. Also remove and clean the pump whenever the water flow seems to be low or irregular; this can indicate that there is something stuck inside, and the pump should be shut off and inspected right away.
Winterizing Your Fountain
If the temperature drops below freezing in your region, you need to winterize your fountain yearly before the frosts set in. To do this, first empty the fountain fully. Remove the pump, dry it, and store indoors so the electrical components are not damaged by frost. This is also a great opportunity to get the pump cleaned professionally, so it runs smoothly when you start it next year.
Most fountains can be left outside in freezing weather once they are emptied, but they need to be covered in order to prevent leaves, snow, and rainwater entering. Any ice that forms in the fountain can expand and create cracks, drastically reducing its longevity. This is why it is so important to be sure that no moisture enters the fountain during winter.
