Tranquil and serene, water fountains make a beautiful addition to your home or yard. Birds love them, and the soft sounds of the fountain and birdsong can be quite relaxing. According to Fathom Fountains, a company that installs solar fountains, fountains are both decorative and functional, but you have to take good care of them so they last for years. If you fail to do some regular maintenance, they quickly become an eyesore.
Outside
Outdoor fountains require more TLC than those indoor simply because they fall victim to the elements more quickly. Every week, remove the debris that has accumulated, such as acorns, twigs and leaves. If you leave those in there, the pump could get clogged and fail to work properly. Every once in awhile, check that the pump is working efficiently and make sure there’s no slimy algae buildup. If there is, you’ll need to do a cleaning of your outdoor fountain, starting with a wet-dry vac to get the water out. This Old House advises wiping the fountain down with a cloth, then using a little elbow grease to brush off the grime. Lastly, replenish with fresh water. To prevent dirt and grime from invading the fountain in the first place, get an old nylon stocking and stretch it over the pump and intake valves. Voila! you have yourself an affordable, homemade filter. If your fountain is plagued by algae, give the water a clarifier during your regular cleanings. You may find that the algae growth gets particularly bad in the humid summer months. Simply add in an algaecide tablet twice a month. Bleach isn’t usually recommended but sometimes when the algae just won’t quit, it’s necessary to add a quarter cup bleach for every five gallons of water. Cycle it through a couple of times. If your area hasn’t seen rain in weeks, you’ll need to add water from the hose to your fountain so the pump doesn’t overheat.
Inside
You may enjoy bringing the sounds of nature indoors. If you have a tabletop fountain or stand-alone fountain in your living room, for example, you’ll need to keep up with the maintenance to avoid odors and bacteria. Just like in your outdoor fountain, algae loves to grow in moist places, especially when you add plants and decorative stones. HGTV says a fairly simple solution to guard against this is to add a teaspoon of bleach to the water. The key to avoiding strange smells and odors is to change out the water on a regular basis. Because you don’t have the advantage of natural rainfall like you do outside, you have to pay particular attention to this weekly. Bacteria love wet places and will grow if left alone. All you need is a cup to remove the water. To clean the actual unit, mix up a blend of white vinegar and water and then scrub off the slime. Once you add in fresh water, you can start up the pump again to let it cycle through.
Proper maintenance of your fountains is fairly easy when you take the time to assess the situation every week or two. If you’re dedicated to keeping your fountain clean, the reward will be a beautiful addition to your indoor or outdoor space.
This article was contributed on behalf of Fathom Fountains, your number one choice when looking for great fountains. Check out their website at www.fathomfountains.com for more information!
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