How to Clean and Maintain a Fountain

The stress-reducing and calming effects of water have long been known, making outdoor fountains a welcome addition to your home, yard or patio. But you'll need to clean and maintain it on a routine basis to prevent the following problems:

• Sludge, algae and bacteria buildup
• Mineral deposit buildup
• Overheated or clogged fountain pumps
• Water flow issues
• Cracking or clogging due to seasonal changes such as fallen leaves, extreme heat and bitterly cold temperatures

We recommend cleaning your outdoor fountain every season to prevent algae, mineral buildup and clogs. First, you'll need to identify what your fountain is made of. Different materials require different methods of cleaning.

If your fountain is made of wood, ceramic, fiberglass, resin or stone, add soapy water using mild dish soap and a sponge. Use a polish specially formulated for copper fountains. Stainless steel cleaner or wipes can be used on stainless steel fountains. There are also specially-formulated fountain cleaners available. Just check the bottle to ensure it works with the material that you're cleaning.

Next, follow these simple instructions to clean your outdoor fountain.

1. Turn off the fountain and drain it. Remove decorative items and rocks and place them in a bucket.
2. Wipe down the surfaces and then clean with the recommended products for your fountain. This will remove dirt, debris and buildup. For stubborn stains, use a soft-bristle brush. A toothbrush works well to remove stains from cracks and crevices. Then rinse out the fountain.
3. Next, you'll want to clean the fountain pump. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your particular model. If you no longer have the manual, you can usually find the instructions online.
4. Refill the fountain. It's highly recommended that you refill an outdoor fountain with distilled water. Regular tap water can cause mineral buildup, damaging the pump.

Each season brings along its own unique challenges, so it's important to maintain your outdoor fountain to prevent clogs and damage.

Winter
Frigid temperatures can cause your fountain to crack. To prevent this, we recommend turning off the fountain, draining and cleaning it. Remove the pump and store everything in a location that's not exposed to freezing temperatures. In some cases, that's not possible because the fountain is too large or heavy. In that case, follow the same instructions and store the pump in a warm location.  Then insulate the fountain with a weatherproof fountain cover.

Spring
Take the fountain out of storage or remove the cover and thoroughly clean every part. Refill the fountain with distilled water. We recommend adding an algaecide to the fountain. An algaecide treats, controls and prevents algae in ponds, outdoor fountains and water features.

Summer
In the summer, you'll need to pay close attention to the water levels. The extreme heat can cause the water to evaporate, which can damage the pump. Add distilled water as needed.

Fall
Cut back branches and scoop out fallen leaves regularly to prevent the fountain or pump from getting clogged. Algae growth can be a problem with all of the debris that can fall into the fountain, so we recommend an algaecide to prevent algae growth.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that we received about outdoor fountain issues and potential solutions.

There appears to be a crack in my fountain and the water is leaking. How do I fix it?
If it's the basin, try using an exterior waterproof sealant on the crack. If it's a component, you can try using the sealant on a small fix. If it's larger, it's probably best to purchase a replacement part.

I have ugly stains in the fountain. How do I remove them?
Stains are usually caused by mineral deposits building up. Use a calcium, lime and rust remover. Make sure that it can be used on the surface you're trying to clean and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

The water seems to evaporate from the fountain quickly in the hot summer months. What can I do to prevent this from happening?
With extreme heat, the water can evaporate causing the fountain pump to fail. This can be remedied in a couple of different ways. You can purchase an automatic water filler that maintains the water levels as needed. Or you can buy a fountain pump with a low-water sensor that will turn off when the water gets too low.

The water in my outdoor fountain is cloudy and it smells. How do I remedy this?
It sounds like you have algae growth in your fountain. This is a common occurrence and can be remedied by using an algaecide to remove the algae. Follow up with a water clarifier to make the water clear again. Continue to do quarterly cleanings to prevent future algae blooms.

The water pressure in the fountain seems very low. What could be causing this?
This is probably an issue with your pump. First, check to see if there are any leaves or debris obstructing the area and remove it. If that still doesn't help, check the water levels. If they are too low, the pump can't operate and can even overheat, causing damage. Fill the fountain with distilled water, ensuring that the pump is fully underwater. If these things don't work, it may be time to replace the pump.