Outdoor Fountain Care

Your Guide to Caring for and Maintaining your Garden Fountains

We get a lot of questions about outdoor and garden fountains. Many people think that because there are bugs, leaves and dirt outdoors that a fountain is not feasible. This is not the case and we want to answer your questions so you are comfortable adding an outdoor fountain to your patio or garden area! Some of the questions below apply specifically to the cast stone fountains but most are general outdoor fountain care questions.

How do I prevent and clean algae from my garden fountain?
Cleaning your water fountain and gently scrubbing with a mild cleanser and non-abrasive pad will get rid of algae and let you start fresh. There are many great fountain care products that will help prevent/prolong algae growth in your outdoor fountains, many that are safe for wildlife.

Will wind blow my outdoor fountain over?
When looking at the weight of an outdoor fountain, remember that water will add some weight to your fountain as well. Larger, fiberglass (lightweight) fountains with water in the base, are usually ok with most winds. If time permits, to be safe, take your fountain in if you are expecting a heavy storm. (Being a lightweight fountain, they are usually easy to carry of disassemble). Cast stone and heavy fountains should be fine in the wind as they are typically several hundred pounds. If need be, you can usually seal the top of the fountain to the basin if you have heavy winds in your area. You can use the sealant, Silicone II, (which is sold at Lowes or Home Depot). To do this, be sure your fountain is level. Silicone the bottom of the top piece by tipping the fountain gently, and then filling all the openings with silicone when you set the fountain down. Silicone II acts as an adhesive and has been proven to hold 800 lbs of water.

I have a small crack, causing a leak in my fountain?
If the base leaks without a visible crack, please let the fountain sit for one week and the crack will appear white. This is to test that a crack exists. Always keep the water ¾ full as it does evaporate! A pin hole leak can be covered up with Clear Silicone II on the inside of the piece. (This applies to fiberglass or stone fountains). You may notice hairline cracks in stone water fountains, these should not leak and will not affect the performance of your outdoor fountain.

How do I prevent debris from getting in my pump and how do I keeping my outdoor fountains clean?
To prevent dirt from getting into your pump, a suggestion would be to wrap the pump in mesh screen, some outdoor pumps will have this, but if not, this is easy to do. In addition, do a weekly cleaning of your fountain. It is not necessary to completely empty it to clean it. Use a shovel or strainer to clean debris out of the base of the fountain and add water. You can wipe the outside and inside of the fountain with a soft cloth. Read our Water Fountain Care and Maintenance Tips for more details on cleaning your outdoor fountain.

What is this white mineral build up on my water fountain and how do I get rid of it?
This is called white scale, it is a calcium buildup that develops from hard water. Sometimes, if allowed to build up too much, it will be impossible to completely remove. A simple solution: Try to remove it by using CLR (calcium lime remover) or white vinegar (rubbing gently with a non-abrasive sponge) and then run the fountain to see the white wash away. Water carries molecules and can wash away the free deposits. There are also some great fountain care products to help prevent future white scale buildup. A product such as No More White Scale or Care Free Enzyme Fountain Protector will help keep your water clean.

Outdoor Fountain Winter Care - What do I do with my outdoor fountain to prepare for cold winter months?
During winter months, before the temperature hits freezing, drain your fountain; unplug the pump (store pump in heated area) and cover the fountain. The actual fountain itself should not freeze as most outdoor fountains contain fiberglass that withstands the cold. You don't want to have water left in your fountain when it freezes as it could expand and contract causing your fountain to crack. Read details of how to winterize your outdoor fountain.

How do I repair chips in a stone or cast stone fountain?
To repair minor chips and scrapes, you may be able to get a patch and color kit if you purchased a cast stone fountain. If you did not receive a kit, contact the manufacturer of the fountain.

Water seems to be repelling off my fountain, what can I do?
If the water is repelling off the fountain, it is the sealer. You can remove it by wiping the sealant off with a damp terry cloth towel. (This tip applies to outdoor fountains that have a sealant or stain such as the Trevi and Henri Studios garden fountains)

You will find more general fountain answers in our Fountain Care and Maintenance section.

View entire Water Fountain Guide for answers to your fountain questions.

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