A water fountain is a wonderful addition to your garden. Perhaps you’ve always envisioned having one. It is a wonderful moment hearing a fountain trickling in your garden while reading your favorite book. Having this water feature is very mesmerizing. However, there is always worry about maintenance making you hesitate to get a fountain. Keeping your water feature clean is simple as you are about to discover and you’ll enjoy its charms for years.

Facts about keeping a water fountain
Running on water
The first consideration after investing in a water fountain is a source of water to keep it running. Enough water is required. This prevents the level in the fountain from dropping too low and causing significant damage to the fountain pump and other components. Never hesitate to fill up the water in your fountain to an appropriate level when it is running low. This is an essential aspect of installing and maintaining a water fountain.
Equally important is understanding that a water fountain operated better with distilled water. This water undergoes filtration of minerals present in tap water. Distilled water is a more pure moisture source in the air. Additionally, distilled water is less prone to stain formation, scaling, and mineral buildup in the fountain and pump.
A quality pump matters
The exterior of the fountain is what people notice and admire. However, the best outdoor water fountain pump is necessary to maintain water flow. Any malfunctions require immediate fixing or replacement without tampering with the whole fountain. Handling pump maintenance and repair is a messy and time-consuming process that requires a professional. You can tell your fountain pump is not working efficiently when you hear strange spurting noise rather than the regular serene ripple. It results from a dropped water level in the fountain and filling up is necessary.
Cleaning the pump requires taking it out regularly and wiping it inside out before placing it back. This is very important for an outdoor fountain. Here the pump is prone to dust, debris, and leaves accumulating and causing clogging. A grimy pump requires opening up, soaking, and disinfecting with vinegar before putting it back. Cleaning a pump is required about once a month to encourage circulation of water throughout the fountain.
Regular draining and refilling
A fountain requires topping off regularly to keep it in great condition. Equality important is draining, cleaning, and refilling the fountain with fresh water. This keeps the fountain running for years. Luckily, cleaning the fountain isn’t as hard as it sounds. All it takes is wiping down the surface using a damp cloth after completely draining water out of your fountain.
For stubborn buildup, scrub it off with a soft-bristled nylon brush or old toothbrush and vinegar. Doing this monthly ensures that the fountain is free from debris and dust buildup. These materials attract negative ions. There is no need to worry about noticing floating particles in the fountain water. It is a sign of the fountain purifying air through absorbing impurities that would have gone into the air.
Eliminate algae
It is normal to be grossed out by the sight of algae growing in your water fountain. Algae is unpleasant to look at and might damage the fountain pump and other accessories. You can eliminate algae from your water fountain by adding a drop of water treatment to every gallon of water in the fountain. For persisting algae growth, double the treatment. The presence of algae might result from an increased in temperature.
Therefore, for warmer months, use time-release algaecide. This powerful treatment comes in the form of tablets to add once every three weeks to the fountain. Avoid using chlorine or other chemical bleach. These kill algae but are toxic to other organisms like birds that come to drink in the water fountain. Additionally, toxic substances are also dangerous to family members and pets on breathing in the moisture from the pond.
Cover your fountain
Water fountains are made from materials like bronze that withstand cold weather. However, fountains from materials like marble or resin are prone to cracking resulting from winter freezing. It is not a good idea to uninstall your garden fountain when winter comes to move it indoors. However, you have to find other proactive measures to protect your pond until the winter season goes.
A wonderful idea is to drain your water fountain completely. This inhibits chances of freezing and expansion that might cause cracks in the fountain. Afterward, cover the fountain for protection from weather elements. An ideal cover is waterproof for protection from rain and snow. This should be resistant to wear and tear especially when hailstorms come. Secure the cover firmly around the fountain in case strong winds come.
Bottom line
Having a water fountain is a wonderful idea. However, you need a quality pump and other measures to ensure that it works efficiently throughout the year.