Finally, outdoor fountain season is here. In order to start the season off right below you will find a general fountain care summary for outdoor water fountains as well as a short description of some of the wonderful fountain care products that are out there to prolong the beauty of your fountain and keep the water more clear and fresh.
No matter if you have indoor or outdoor fountains cleaning is necessary to avoid a bad odor, slimy water or lime build up. Cleaning your fountains doesn’t have to be a lot of work and it always seems the more often it is done, the easier the job. With smaller fountains try cleaning them every couple weeks, very large fountains can go months. The larger the fountain the more time consuming but if you are good about cleaning it you will truly minimize the time it takes. Here are some 1, 2, 3….steps to cleaning outdoor fountains:
1. Drain the water. How to do this depends on your fountain, large, heavy fountains may have a drain where others may simply need to be taken apart or the water scooped out.
2. Remove the fountain pump and clean it separately in the sink. A toothbrush or some type of smaller utensil may be needed to get in small spots.
3. Take a soft abrasive pad such as a scotch brite pad and wipe out the inside of your fountain, rinse with fresh water.
4. If you have any build up it may take a bit of elbow grease and some harder scrubbing to get rid of it. Also, if you have lime buildup (white scale) you may need to use a cleaner such as CLR (calcium lime remover) or a vinegar/water solution to combat this build up.
5. Reassemble your pump and your fountain and add fresh water.
Some fountain care products that may be helpful in keeping your water fresh and your fountain clean can be purchased at WaterFountainPlace.com. You will find products to combat algae in fountains, prevent white scale as well as several water clarifiers that will keep your water fresh and are safe for animals and birds. Outdoor fountains are a joy to be around and look wonderful in your yard and gardens so take good care of them so you can be sure they last!
