Outdoor Fountain Care
An outdoor fountain can be the focal point of your landscaping, providing a powerful focal point tying your outside sanctuary together. This fact makes it very important that you clean and maintain your fountain to keep it looking its best.
An outdoor fountain is quite a bit more work than an indoor fountain, mostly because it is subject to a wide variety of elements beyond fingerprints and dust. The wind is unrelenting, and combined with leaves, dirt, birds, and moisture, it’s a rough climate.
A large part of the cleaning and maintenance is the pump. It needs to be thoroughly cleaned quite often, to ensure the build-up of debris never damages the pump. Get in there with a toothbrush, and take whatever means necessary to flush the pump free of large leaves or trapped critters. If you know a storm is coming, it’s not a bad idea to shut the fountain pump off and handle the cleanup separately.
Besides keeping your fountain pleasant on the eyes, it is also a sanitary concern. A large amount of birds will bathe and otherwise in your fountain, creating an unsanitary stew. It is advised that you change the water in the fountain often, and shop for fountain cleaning products to help keep the algae and bacteria at a minimum. You will find a wide selection of effective cleaning and preventative products to help keep your fountain looking new, and still safe for birds and animals to enjoy.
Caring for your outdoor fountain is a little bit of work, but it’s worth it. With proper planning and some common sense, you can reduce your maintenance time and keep your fountain running smooth. Above all, take care of the pump. Clean it often, and check it for debris build up. Take some time to think about where you are placing your fountain, and the traffic it will see. Be careful not to place your fountain too near a tree, where branches and leaves can easily fall in the fountain. Using any kind of existing structure to block heavy wind and sun exposure is very effective as well.
A fountain is a beautiful addition to any outdoor area, and can be particularly impressive at night with underwater lights. Keep your water clean, and your outdoor fountain will flow for many years to come.
