Tag Archives: garden fountain repair

4 Ways to Keep Your Outdoor Fountain Algae Free

Algaes in your backyard fountains don’t only look bad, but they also damage your filtration system and can harm you and your pets’ health.

Because outdoor fountains expose water to sunlight, this naturally creates algae blooms. Though this process is natural and unavoidable, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to prevent or slow this process. Learn about the tricks that help fountain owners maintain their water health!

Change Your Fountain Water

Change the water of your fountain at least once a month by completely draining your fountain, letting it air dry, then refilling it.

Algae grow in your water naturally. But when you change the water monthly, you get rid of the current ones and prevent their rapid spread. By doing this, you also prevent algae build up in your pump, which can lead to a clog.

Regular Cleaning

More than just changing the fountain water, you should also clean the fountain itself every two months. Scrub your fountain surface regularly and thoroughly clean your pump by brushing its parts with a toothbrush and clean water.

When the surface of your fountain starts to develop a film or feel slippery, deep clean the fountain by emptying it of all water and scrubbing it with a brush or sponger, hot water, and some mild soap solution.

Meanwhile, when taking apart your pump, consult your fountain manual and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean and assemble your pump, since all pumps are different.

Alter Your Water

Algae forms because of the chemical reaction between water and sunlight. Hence, a way to prevent algae formation is by changing the chemical properties of your water through the use of chlorine, bleach, or algaecides.

These chemicals act as a disinfectant. By adding approximately ¼ teaspoon of chlorine or bleach to every gallon of water, you can kill existing algae in your water fountain and prevent future algae growth.

Similarly, algaecides or algae preventive products, such as BioGuard and Kem-Tek, eliminate algae and prevent future spore growth, so your fountain can boast healthy water. Just keep in mind that these strong chemicals can make water toxic. So, if you have pets or children, it’s best to keep the concentration levels low, lest they drink the treated water.

Add Some Shade

Another way to prevent algae growth is to minimize the sunlight touching the water. To do this, you can relocate your outdoor fountain to a more shaded area to avoid direct sunlight exposure during the hottest times of the day.

Doing this can go a long way in slowing down the growth of algae, and help you minimize algae overall, while you practice other abovementioned tips for maintaining water health.

Water Fountain Repair

Following the tips above goes a long way in maintaining water health. But there are just some problems you can’t DIY, and you’ll need help from an experienced water fountain repair service.

Whether your fountain has deep cracks, is losing water for some unidentifiable reason, or if you have an algae disaster on your hands, we got you covered!

We help maintain all types of water features and understand backyard fountains and garden fountain repair more than anyone.

We can help restore your water feature, so you can fully enjoy your outdoor space. Contact us at 949-653-2305 at Orange County Pond Service today!

Easy Tips On How to Repair Your Cracked Garden Fountain

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Cement and resin fountains are known for their durability, but they are still prone to cracking and crumbling, and you’ll need a reliable fountain repair in Orange County.

Here are some tips to help execute your water fountain repair project, so you don’t have to spend on tearing down and rebuilding.

Check and Fix Leaks

A leak in your water fountain is a problem. It wastes water and, eventually, demands the replacement of the entire structure. Try to find the leak. Allow the water to sit for a week if you can. Any cracks will appear on the base as a white spot.

Stone and resin fountain can be repaired with clear silicone—similar to that used to repair glass cracks.

Repair Pieces that Break Off

Use epoxy to fix pieces of your water fountain. Mix it and use it to stick back the broken chips. Leave them on for a few minutes to let them dry.

Patch Chips in Cement Fountains

If your cement water fountain chips, you can repair it with a mixture of quick-drying concrete. Mix it based on the manufacturer’s instructions, then trowel it on and let it dry.

Paint it to match the color or texture of your fountain if they don’t match.

Fix Cracks in Resin Water Fountains

If your water fountain is made of resin, you can fix cracks using a mixture of resin and fiberglass cloth. Empty your fountain, dry the sections with issues, then apply the resin and fiberglass mixture to the crack.

Smoothen it out, and let it dry before refilling the fountain with water.

Renew Old Waterproof Sealant

Some stone water fountains are treated with waterproofing, which can wear off over time because of cracks. What you can do is simply apply a layer.

You can buy one at a hardware store. Follow the instructions on the packaging, and let it dry. Be sure to patch all cracks first before applying water sealant.

Avoid these Common Mistakes on Garden Fountain Repair

Not knowing the dimensions of your fountain or the damages – when this happens, the cement or resin mixture or patch may end up being too small or too big for the area.
Not smoothing out the concrete after laying it – not only will it not look good when it dries, but it may not also completely seal the crack.
Not reading the sealant packets or measuring the ingredients of the resin or concrete mixture – will cost you time and money. You may end up redoing the fix if it does not set well when it dries.

Make sure you measure the ingredients, apply the mixture properly, and allow the patch to dry. Do not hasten to refill the fountain with water. Otherwise, water will keep seeping through the cracks.

Hire Fountain Repair Experts

The idea of doing water fountain repair yourself may be enticing. But if you have no background in water feature repairs, you may experience a bit of downtime. Plus, most cases need a cement mixer and special tools.

If you’re faced with a one-off situation, buying these materials may cost you more than when you hire a garden fountain repair service to do the job.

If you’re looking around for pros in fountain restoration in Orange County, we can give you a free quote. Contact us at Orange County Pond and Fountain Services today!

Stunning Water Features To Transform Your Garden

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Even a simple water feature can transform the most ho-hum of gardens. The movement and sound of water brings tranquility and is automatically a focal point. Some homeowners are handy enough to install their own water feature, even if it’s somewhat complicated. Others rely on good, reputable water fountain services. Here are types of water features:

Fountains

Fountains can also be bubblers or gurglers that are easy to put together or magisterial edifices constructed by contractors who specialize in garden fountain repair and installation. Many have several tiers, sconces from which arcs of water pour into the collection pond or statues that can also serve as sconces. Depending on their size and material, fountains make noises from refreshing trickles to oceanic roars. Few things are as refreshing as the spray the wind blows off a fountain on a hot day.

Bubblers

Often, these are nothing more than repurposed containers fitted with pumps and pipes hooked up to a water source. Even a homeowner who doesn’t think they know anything about plumbing can create one of these water features in an afternoon. The garden can have one in the midst of plants or pebbles or bubblers of different sizes. They can be small enough to set in a corner of the patio or taller than a person, illuminated at night by different colored LEDs or even part of a swimming pool.

Ponds

Some ponds are surprisingly affordable, if not exactly cheap. They are made, like swimming pools, by digging a hole in the ground and lining it with something leakproof. Like a swimming pool, this water feature needs a filtration system to keep the water sparkling clean and a pump to keep it moving. Other than this, the homeowner can add boulders, pebbles, aquatic plants, garden gnomes or whatever suits them. Because ponds are “natural” they complement any type of backyard. Ponds can also be designed with waterfalls.

Water Walls and Rain Curtains

These are walls where a sheet or sheets of water flows down into a trench then is returned to the top to cycle down again. The wall can be made of a many materials, including copper, stone, ceramic tile or glass, and the material and even its texture affect the sound of the water as it falls. As with bubblers, lights can be added for a spectacular nighttime look. A rain curtain’s beauty also relies on a curtain of water. In this feature, holes are drilled into the horizontal element, and water is allowed to pour through them. As with a water wall, a pump keeps the water cycling.

Baths for Birds, Bees and Butterflies

Even a homeowner on a budget can afford a birdbath. Sometimes it is nothing more than an old pan filled with water placed on a support. Simply watching the birds visit is delightful. Honeybees and butterflies shouldn’t be neglected. Place some kind of island in the center of the birdbath where the insects can rest and safely drink.

A properly installed water feature adds beauty to any garden. If you’re interested in having one, be it simple or complex, get in touch with us at OC Pond and Fountain Care. Our number here is 949-653-2305.

Amazing Water Fountain Ideas to Spruce Up Your Garden

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Nature in its pure state is beautiful; nonetheless, landscaping enhances this beauty. The OC Pond & Fountain Care, an Orange County-based landscaping and designing company founded in 2001, has been providing services to improve home or corporate aesthetics using natural elements, waterfalls, and ponds.

Since its inception, the company has developed, maintained and services human-made waters such as fountains, ponds and water gardens. The company also does water fountain repair should the pool require a phase lift. It ideally deals with beautification using water pools and general management of aqua life including ensuring cleanliness is at par.

Water fountains exist to improve the natural scenery of an atmosphere; bring in a natural feel, crisp air, and calmness. The development and designing of the fountains thanks to creativity is varied each with a distinct smart appeal. In most cases, the variance is brought about by different customer preferences. The following are some stylish ways to enhance your garden water fountain for small to large spaces.

Alluring features that spice up your garden water fountain

The general idea is to give the best design, that is attractive and in rogue to beget praise. You, therefore, need to provide a nice eye shot to every detail and ensure precision and beauty is at its best. Check out the following:

1. Aqua life

If you desire to give you water fountain more growth, there is no best way other than have living creature hovering over or in the water. This is suitable if the water bodies to which the fountain lies are more like a natural habitat for aqua-life such as fish. Presence of living organism boost the pool’s beauty.

2. Plants and vegetation

Landscapers have gone a notch higher and established that plants and vegetation can be anchored on water. Some low lying plants are beautiful to behold blossoming in water with their flowers budding out. Besides, they help thin, clean humid air.

3. Nature of the rock bed

In constructing a water fountain, the landscapers lie a fountain of rocks where the water will be on. The rock bed can be made from ancient stones to sparkling crystal-like surfaces as the designer may please. There are different types of rocks or materials that can be used, each giving great aesthetics.

4. Designs

There are many ponds, pool, and water fountain designs up for selection in the world. There are fountains on the wall, in the garden with different shapes from love heart to long stretches and many more. The variation ensures that there is something for everyone, of course with room to customize plans as per the clients’ preferences, tastes, and aesthetics.

Well, even as the water fountains are beautiful to behold, there is a need to ensure they are always clean; otherwise, they will pose as an environmental hazard. This is where the OC Pond & Fountain Care come in handy as they do the garden fountain repair and maintenance in line with their mantra, ‘green to clean.’ We pride in being the leader in water quality assessment, environmental preservation, and unmatchable fountain water designs.