Fountain Maintenance Guide: Tips and Resources for Maintaining Your Outdoor Water Fountain
Let’s face it, your water fountain is the center of attention when it comes to your patio, yard or garden. And, you’ve most likely invested some of your hard earned money into purchasing your fountain. So if you want your fountain to withstand many years of use, you’ll need to take great care to maintain it.
Why you should take care of your water fountain
When you don’t take proper care to maintain your fountain, things can get ugly (literally). Debris can pile up, making your water fountain unsightly. You have to admit, the point of your fountain was to turn your backyard into a beautiful oasis, and NOT, a dirty mess.
And if you don’t keep your fountain free of debris, your pump is forced to work extra hard which means it’s more likely to burn out. It’s easier to clean your fountain that deal with the expense and hassle of ordering a new pump.
What’s worse than debris? Mosquitos. If you don’t clean your fountain frequently, you’ll either be running indoors or covered in head to toe mosquito bites. Mosquitos love stagnant water and that’s just what you’ll get if you don’t keep your fountain clean, or if the pump is too clogged to work properly.
How to maintain the pump
Don’t fret, maintaining your water fountain pump isn’t as daunting as it sounds.
Pay attention to water levels
One of the easiest ways to maintain your pump is to never let the water get too low. For your pump to work it’s best, make sure your pump is completely submersed.
Keep an eye out to see how often you’ll need to refill it. You may need to refill the fountain more often in summer months when the heat of the sun causes water to evaporate more quickly. Or if you have animals drinking from your fountain, you’re going to need to fill it more often.
Keep it clean
Start by cleaning the pump every 3 months. The water pump is the heart of your water fountain. If your pump isn’t clean, your fountain won’t work properly.
Because each fountain can be made of different materials, you’ll want to consult your fountain’s specific user manual on how to best clean. Most water fountain pumps can be cleaned with a simple soak of 1:1 water and vinegar.
Tip: Consider using distilled water to prevent limescale.
Check for damages
Depending on how often you use your water fountain, you’ll need to check for damages. You can do this yearly or after each season of use.
What to inspect:
- Check for leaks or cracks on water supply lines and pipes
- Check the suction lines and the inlet valve
- Look for structural cracks or damaged basins
- Adjust autofill to avoid basin overfill
- Check for damages to the pump
- Verify that the gaskets and O-rings are functional
- Inspect any electrical issues and make sure the cord is covered to avoid any tripping accidents
With proper care and maintenance, your pump should last many years. So save yourself the headache of replacing the pump, by following the above tips for maintaining your water fountain pump.
How to take care of your outdoor water fountain
Although your pump is the heart of your fountain, you’ll need to take care of the entire fountain so that it will last.
Start by thinking about where you’ll position your outdoor water fountain. Where you put your fountain has an impact on it’s longevity. For example, if you place it under a tree, be prepared for more cleaning. Small debris like leaves can clog your fountain and big debris like falling branches may cause your fountain to break. So be mindful of where you place your fountain.
Consider storing your fountain during stormy weather or the winter months. Exposure to wind and harsh weather equals more wear to your fountain. You’ll also want to protect it from getting blown over in heavy winds. By winterizing your fountain, you keep it safe and ready to use for the summer months.
If you live in a dry and dusty climate, you will need to clean your fountain more often. It might not look dirty, but the dust can cause your pump to clog if not cleaned regularly. Regardless of your climate, you’ll need to clear your fountain of debris every month. It’s a good idea to do a quick clean of your fountain each time you fill it up.
How to do a deep clean
Because outdoor water fountains are exposed to a variety of elements (think leaves, bugs, and animals), you will need to consistently keep your fountain clean.
Cleaning your fountain in three easy steps:
- Turn off the fountain. Keep yourself safe and turn off the breakers. Check to make sure that the pump has stopped operating before you start to clean.
- Remove debris and wipe down the bowl. To save time and prevent build up, wipe down the bowl of your fountain regularly. To start, remove excess debris and then drain your fountain. Use a non-abrasive brush and cloth to clean the inner bowl and outer surfaces. Use a mild cleanser to remove minerals like manganese, calcium, magnesium and copper. You can also eliminate mineral deposits with a vinegar and water mixture. Tip: Use distilled water to avoid problems like staining and build up.
- Clean the pump. As mentioned earlier, you should also clean your pump every three months, or more often if necessary. Check your owner’s manual to learn how to detach the pump. Next, soak your pump in a 1:1 vinegar and water mixture. When it’s done soaking, rinse and reattach the pump per the owner’s manual instructions. Refill the water, making sure the pump is submersed.
Caring for different materials
When it comes to cleaning your fountain, material makes a difference. Because fountains are made of a variety of materials, it’s important to use the right cleaning solution.
Copper Fountains
If your outdoor water fountain is made of copper materials, use a good-quality furniture cleaner and a soft cloth. A furniture polish like Pledge will do the trick!
Just be careful not to use copper cleaner of CLR since it can remove the patina finish. Be aware that copper will oxidize over time, so you may see your copper fountain change color as it weathers.
Stainless Steel Fountains
If you have a stainless steel fountain, you can clean with a special stainless steel cleaner and a dry cloth. Take extra care so that you don’t scratch the surface.
Stainless steel is one of the easiest materials to clean and it doesn’t weather like copper. It’s very resistant to corrosion so you won’t have to worry about it looking weathered. Avoid using bleach because it can damage the finish. Avoid using any harsh cleaners or abrasive sponges.
Ceramic Fountains
Ceramic outdoor fountains are also very easy to clean. We recommend using soapy water and a soft cleaning cloth or sponge. You may have to scrub a little harder if your fountain is slimy or has a lot of mineral deposits.
Again, make sure you use a non-abrasive cloth. Because of the ceramic texture, be sure to rinse thoroughly so you aren’t left with a soapy residue. With ceramic, the coating may develop tiny holes or cracks overtime. It’s possible that you may need to have your fountain reglazed if it starts showing a lot of wear.
In Summary
If you want to protect your investment, take the time to properly care for and maintain your water fountain. By doing a little bit of maintenance regularly, you should prevent any major issues.
And if you’re short on time, you can always hire a professional landscaper to take care of your fountain for you. If you want specific information for your exact model, consult your owner’s manual.
Or, if you’re ready to replace your old fountain, check out our blog post on our most highly recommended fountains.
