No matter how big or small they are, outdoor fountains are a surefire way to liven things up in your backyard.
While they are stunning works of art, they can become an eyesore quickly if you don’t clean or maintain them properly.
To make it easier for you, we’ve broken down the typical process of cleaning your outdoor water fountain!
Contents
Read Your Water Fountain’s Manual
Use an incompatible chemical for your fountain could lead to permanent harm. That’s why, before anything else, you should read the manufacturer’s manual. Make sure to find out about the materials used to create your fountain so that you only use the proper tools and chemicals.
Empty Your Fountain
To completely drain the fountain basin, a wet/dry vac may be necessary depending on its size. Pull the pump’s plug from the wall before discarding all the water and letting the basin dry completely to prevent the engine from overheating.
Rinse Your Fountain With Clean water
Fill the fountain up and let it flow with running water. Make sure all the lines are clear by flushing them out first. You can also use a rag so you can rinse the fountain properly. While doing so, see if there are any algae stains that may require more attention later on.
Clean Your Fountain Pumps
Remove the pump from the fountain and disassemble it in a well-lit area. Don’t use substances that aren’t specified as safe by the manufacturer, and make sure that you thoroughly rinse your unit after using soapy water to clean it.
Soap can destroy a pump in less than a day. For those hard to reach places, you can use an old toothbrush.
Unclog Spouts And Tubing
It may be necessary to use specialized equipment to clean the fountain’s piping and tubing. For an easy yet effective way, you can use a pipe cleaner.
Avoid further clogging by making sure each tube is thoroughly cleaned. After that, you should inspect your tubings as blocked lines may burn out the pump and even cause leaks.
Wash The Basin
Rinse off the fountain basin and refill it with clean water. Some fountains can be cleaned with high-pressure washing methods, although you have to check first if that’s safe to do on your fountain. To maintain a sparkling appearance, pressure washing is a great option for cleaning cast stone fountains.
Scrub Off Dirt and Stains
Scrubbing the affected area with a toothbrush and some detergent should help you remove dirt and other debris. However, note that some stains may be harder to get rid of compared to others.
Dish soap can be used to remove most stains from a fountain basin if you don’t have any other cleaning supplies on hand, but you may need to put in some extra effort.
Rinse Out Your Fountain Again
You’re almost done. Eliminate lingering chemicals on your fountain’s surfaces, the drain the basin once again with the wet/dry vacuum. See to it that the fountain’s basin is spotless. You need to be sure that you have successfully eliminated all traces of algae from your fountain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even after reading through the steps above, you may have more questions about cleaning and maintaining your outdoor fountain. Below are a few questions that you may have.
How much would it cost me for an outdoor fountain repair?
It depends on the age of your fountain or the complexity of the job. Water fountain repair can cost you about $500 to $1,200.
How can I remove the mineral buildup on my fountain basin?
You can scrub off calcium buildup or any other natural mineral with a soft bristle brush or sponge
How would I know if it’s time to get a replacement pump?
You would know that it’s time to get a replacement pump if there’s a coolant leak, rust or corrosion, or whining noises. Other signs include an overheating engine and radiator steam.
Get Professional Help For Your Dirty Or Broken Fountain
Looking for someone to help you fix or clean your water fountain? How about someone to set it up for you?
Orange County Outdoor Water Fountain Designs can do it all. Allow us to give you the garden of your dreams. Contact us at 949-653-2305 and ask for a free quote today!
