There’s nothing more serene than having a water fountain, or any other sort of water feature in your yard. A lot of individuals simply love having an outdoor water feature by their garden or yard simply because it creates that calming vibe, not to mention, that it looks super good too. What a lot of people don’t enjoy, however, is maintaining their water fountain or other outdoor water features such as their koi pond. If you’re planning on having one installed, here are some of the frequently asked questions on water fountain maintenance and installation, as well as things that will make this dreadful process more bearable.
DOES MY WATER FOUNTAIN’S LOCATION MATTER WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTENANCE?
In a way, yes. To make sure that your water fountain doesn’t get wear and tear easily, it must be situated somewhere in your yard that doesn’t get too much foot traffic, but somewhere visible enough so you can admire it. Take note, that if you decide to install your water fountain in a dry area, you’ll find that you’ll be cleaning it more often than when it’s in an area where it gets wet.
If you have little to no garden space, you may also opt to have a water fountain installed in your patio. Aside from the fact that it makes your patio look more aesthetically pleasing, it has also been proven to help in the absorption of noise pollution. The point is, regardless of where you’re planning on installing your water fountain, you have to make sure that it’s away from areas that could be typically knocked over either by pets, little kids or even adults.
Another factor that needs to be taken into consideration concerning water fountain maintenance is the debris and sunlight. If you have decided to place it somewhere where tree leaves may fall, you’ll find yourself with a fountain that has more algae blooms – which means that you’ll have to clean it more often.
Before having a water fountain installed, you can always ask the professionals for advice on where your fountain can be best placed. While the final say still depends on you, considering their advice might not just be a bad idea afterall.
HOW DO I PROLONG MY FOUNTAIN’S LIFE?
The life and heart of every water fountain lie on the fountain pump. With that being said, to prolong your fountain’s life, you have to take the time to make sure that your pumps are well-maintained. Unlike other types of pumps, fountain pumps are more prone to getting debris and clogs, so you must take them out of your fountain and have it regularly cleaned.
Don’t forget to also get rid of the sand, leaves, dirt, grass and other debris that may have fallen on your fountain.
MY FOUNTAIN IS LEAKING, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
The first thing that you have to do is to find the leak. If your fountain base starts to leak, but no visible cracks can be found, you may want to let it sit for a week or two, until the cracks become visible. Once this happens, make sure that you keep the water 3/4 full.
If you own stone or fiberglass water fountains, these leaks can be covered with a clear Silicone II. Look for the source of the leak and cover it up from the inside of the fountain.
WHY DO I SEE WHITE RESIDUES ON MY FOUNTAIN?
These white residues are commonly referred to as the white scale. This is simply caused when you have hard water, thus, the calcium build-up. Don’t worry – you can easily get rid of the calcium build-up by gently rubbing the affected area with white vinegar. Run the fountain and you’ll notice that the build-up will go away.
You can also consider checking out different fountain care products that help keep the cleanliness of your water, thus, prevents white scales.
HOW DO I WINTERPROOF A FOUNTAIN?
Before winter even arrives, make sure that you are fully prepared and the first step is by making sure that water is fully drained from the fountain, followed by unplugging the fountain pump. Make sure to take it out and keep it in a heated area. Since your fountain will be exposed, make sure that you cover it up during the winter months so that snow and other falling debris won’t fall in. In general, your water fountain won’t freeze, especially if it’s made up of fiberglass. Fiberglass is usually the top choice of most individuals as they winterproof and can withstand cold weather conditions.
Remember, drain your water fountain to make sure that the water won’t freeze. This will also prevent your fountain from contracting and expanding. If this happens, you’re most likely to notice cracks in your fountain.
If you’re not sure how you can properly winterize your water fountain, make sure that you reach out to your fountain maintenance professionals.
WHAT’S THE PROPER WAY OF CLEANING MY FOUNTAIN?
Water fountain cleaning and maintenance depends on the material the fountain is made of. It can be either copper, ceramic, or stainless steel. Depending on the materials, here are some quick tips on how you can clean your fountain.
Copper Fountains: With a soft cloth and furniture cleaning product, gently rub your fountain.
Ceramic Fountains: Use a sponge or any soft cloth and clean it with clean and soapy water.
Stainless Steel Fountains: With a stainless steel cleaner, gently clean the fountain with a dry cloth.
If you’re not familiar with the fountain material, do not hesitate to seek help from outdoor fountain maintenance services.
WHEN IS IT TIME TO HIRE PROFESSIONALS?
You probably know by now that proper maintenance is the key to keeping your fountain looking good, and this means that you have to regularly clean the fountain. If you can’t find the time or can’t do it yourself, this might be the right time to hire a water fountain maintenance professional to help you with these kinds of tasks.
Additionally, always call the professionals when you’ve noticed that your fountains have problems that can’t be typically fixed on your own. If you don’t have any idea about what to do or haven’t had any experience fixing water fountains, it’s best to leave it to the experts. You might do more damage than fix it if you simply do it yourself even without proper knowledge.
HOW CAN I KEEP THE WATER IN MY FOUNTAIN CLEAN?
Outside debris, combined with sun and pollen may result in an algae formation and bloom. How much algae grows in your outdoor fountain depends on you – on how often you clean the fountain, and on how you clean the water. There are products you can easily buy out there to keep your water clean, and one which is readily available out there is hydrogen peroxide. One tablespoon per one gallon of water is enough – and make sure that you add this twice a month. Hydrogen peroxide is an effective product that’s free from harsh chemicals.
Avoid using chlorine-based water treatments, especially if you have a stainless steel fountain. They’re considered to be corrosive and can make your fountain’s inner connections, tubings and pump brittle. It may also cause discoloration to your fountain.
Again, if you’re not sure about how you can clean and properly maintain your fountain, make sure that you leave it to the experts.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO ADD KOI FISH & TURTLES TO MY FOUNTAIN?
A lot of people who’ve opted to get water fountains add fishes in theirs. It adds a more calming and serene vibe.
One of the most common fishes that are added to fountains is koi fishes. Just make sure that you don’t add them immediately after installation. Make sure that you give it some time to cure and for the minerals to be completely released before adding fishes. Depending on how fast the curing process is, adding fishes to your fountain in between 1 – 12 months of continuous use is ideal.
Take into consideration that some fishes are pH-sensitive. If you’re unsure, always consult a vet before adding fishes to your water fountain.
REACH US
529 W Blueridge Ave #F110 Orange, CA 92865
(714) 613-0123
[email protected]
Original Content Source: https://koipros.com
