Maintaining an outdoor fountain can be a rewarding, yet challenging task. A beautiful fountain can bring life to your garden and create a calming atmosphere in your outdoor space. But for it to remain in good condition, regular cleaning and maintenance are required. To help you keep your fountain looking its best, here are some tips on how to maintain an outdoor fountain.
Clean the Fountain Regularly
Regular cleanings will ensure your fountain remains free of dirt and debris, keeping it looking nice and running smoothly. To clean the fountain, first, turn off the pump power supply or unplug the cord from the outlet if it’s electric-powered. Then remove any build-up of leaves and other debris with a garden hose or skimmer net. Rinse off any excess dirt or grime around the base of the fountain with a soft cloth and then refill with fresh water until it reaches about two inches above its normal water level.
Test and Adjust the Water Level
If your fountain has been sitting unused for a while or if you notice that its water level is low, make sure to test it and adjust accordingly. Start by turning off power supply or unplugging the cord. Then, use a garden hose to refill the fountain until it reaches two inches above its normal water level. Once refilled, turn on the power supply and let the fountain run for a few minutes to check if it is running smoothly. If so, adjust any knobs or valves on the pump to maintain proper water pressure.
Change the Water
It’s important to change the water in your outdoor fountain at least every month, but more frequently if you have hard water or live in an area where there are frequent rains that contaminate drinking water supplies. Start by turning off the power supply to your fountain and draining out all of the old water using a sump pump or garden hose while taking care not to damage any electrical parts near the pump motor area. Once all of the old water is removed, use a hose to fill up your outdoor fountain with new clean water at least two inches above its normal operating level.
Check for Leaks
If you notice water levels dropping faster than usual in your outdoor fountain, this could indicate a leak somewhere within the system that needs attention immediately—to avoid costly repair bills down the road! Make sure you thoroughly inspect all areas around both plumbing components and pumps for signs of wear such as cracks or loose valves that need tightening up before refilling with new water again. If necessary, contact a professional plumber for further assistance in checking for leaks before resuming normal operation in case something needs replacing like O-rings or pipe fittings etcetera.
Treat Water Quality Issues
In many locations, hard mineral deposits may build up over time due to rainwater runoff leading to cloudy or discolored water which won’t do much for aesthetics either! To combat this problem treat affected areas regularly using products such as biofilm remover specifically designed for treating hard mineral buildup on fountains and other surfaces as well as ponds etcetera—these products should remove most types of surface stains without causing harm to plant life nearby too!.
Check the Pump
Since pumps are one of the most important components in keeping your fountain running, it’s important to check them regularly for any signs of wear or damage. Start by disconnecting power from the pump and then inspect all connections and wires for fraying or cracks that may be causing a short circuit. If there is any visible damage, replace the parts immediately with the same type ones otherwise you run the risk of further damaging other nearby components too! Lastly, also make sure that no debris has accumulated in and around where water enters into the motor shaft as this can cause motor overload leading to premature failure.
Monitor Pump Performance
Pumps are essential components when it comes to maintaining an outdoor fountain so make sure they’re kept in proper working condition always—especially during rainy months when extra strain might be placed on them due to fluctuating electric power levels throughout day/night cycles etcetera! Listen closely for any unusual sounds coming from pump motors & ensure filter baskets remain free from clogs periodically otherwise these could lead to premature wear & tear in the long run which could prove costly later on…
Conclusion
By following these simple steps on how to maintain an outdoor fountain, you can enjoy its beauty without having to worry about expensive repair bills on top of everything else! Remember that regular cleaning & monitoring along with occasional treatment(s) against hard minerals mostly should suffice– otherwise, nothing beats knowing a little bit of basic plumbing yourself either just in case something ever needs fixing quickly too. So what are still waiting for? Get out there & make the most of the beautiful backyard today!!
