Water Fountain Care Tips
There's a variety of ways to use water fountain accessories. We'll provide you some insight on how to get the best usage from your fountain with our water fountain accessory tips.
Tip #1: How to Clean a Fountain Pump
Having trouble keeping your fountain pump running smoothly and efficiently? There could be a nasty build-up of algae, dirt and debris blocking water from flowing freely through the pump. When learning how to clean a fountain pump, vinegar is a better solution than any soap and water.
Vinegar is used to break down mineral deposits that can collect over time. For areas with hard water, more frequent cleaning may be needed – approximately every two weeks. Soft water does not build-up as fast so the pump can run for a month or two between soakings.
Fountain owners need to know how to clean a fountain pump correctly to prolong the life of their fountain pump.
Tip #2: Water Fountain Accessories that Really Mean Something
What constitutes a water fountain accessory? They don’t have to be things you buy in the store next to the array of outdoor or indoor fountains. They can be anything that adds value or visual interest to the fountain itself. Naturally, you want to make sure something is waterproof before you put it into the reservoir of the fountain, but anything goes when it comes to fountain accessories. What matters is that it makes sense to you.
Besides the nuts and bolts of the fountain itself, accessories should be something that either adds to the meaning of the fountain itself, or feeds back a good memory into your family. Maybe a child made a necklace of brightly colored beads in honor of a family member. That could serve as a fountain accessory. Maybe you’d like to create a tribute to a family pet. In that case, accessories might include a pet collar or laminated pet photos.
Whatever you decide to do with your fountain is completely up to you. More than just a place to reflect and relax, your indoor or outdoor water fountain should be adorned with something that reflects your passions, whatever they may be.
Tip #3: The Right Fountain Pump For The Job
How do I know what kind of fountain pump to buy?
Even though you carefully clean your outdoor fountain pumps regularly, or make sure to keep your indoor fountain pumps in top condition, they can still break down. The good news is that replacing fountain pumps isn’t a big deal. Let’s say you purchased your water fountain from Serenity Health. You’ve used your fountain with considerable pleasure and then one day, the fountain stops working properly. Depending on the water fountain model, it may still be under warranty, so check with the company to see if you’re eligible for any refund or discount on a new pump.
If not, there’s nothing to fret about. Indoor and outdoor fountain pumps are inexpensive and easy to buy. In fact, the Serenity Health & Home Decor offers a little tutorial on what to look for in fountain pumps.
Essentially, the trick is to make sure you’re buying a pump appropriate for your fountain. They come in a range of sizes and power, depending on how many gallons of water you need to pump through that fountain. Do you own an indoor or outdoor fountain? It does matter. Outdoor fountain pumps are specifically designed to plug into an outdoor outlet safely (however, always disconnect the pump from the fountain during freezing weather conditions). Indoor fountain pumps, on the other hand, are made specifically – and only – for indoor use.
Tip #4: Sometimes the Safest Water Fountain Cleaning Supplies Are No Water Fountain Cleaning Supplies
Is it safe to use cleaners and bleach on my fountain?
The type and amount of water fountain cleaning supplies you need to keep your fountain working properly has a lot to do with the size of the fountain, whether it’s an indoor or an outdoor fountain, and is especially pertinent to the material the fountain is made of.
For example, copper fountains can be damaged by using the wrong water fountain cleaning supplies. The same holds true for steel or slate water fountains. Use furniture polish or Pledge to keep your natural copper fountains clean. Now, buying a product specifically labeled “copper cleaner” might seem like the logical choice, but don’t use it on your natural copper fountain. It will completely remove the hand applied patina finish. Keep in mind that copper is natural and, as a result, will weather naturally, changing color over time.
There are no water fountain cleaning supplies designed for safe use on stainless steel. In fact, the best way to clean a stainless steel is fountain is by using a damp cloth. Never use the following products on your stainless steel fountain:
- Harsh abrasive cleaners
- Abrasive sponges
- Bleach or any product that contains bleach.
Not using appropriate cleaning supplies (or taking care not to use water fountain cleaning supplies in the case of stainless steel fountains) can damage the finish of your fountain transforming it from a work of art, to something you can’t give away at a yard sale.
Tip #5: Keeping Fountains Fresh and Clean
How can I keep the water in my fountain fresh and clean?
Indoor and outdoor fountains are so easy to install and maintain that it’s easy to forget they need a little bit of tender loving care every now and then. That awe you felt when you first ran your outdoor water fountain can soon be replaced with “ewww” if it becomes contaminated with algae, bacteria, and unsightly white scales.
There is hope, however, and that hope comes in a liquid made especially to get rid of those pesky problems. Preventing white scale in fountains doesn’t require any hard-core cleaning products or hours of elbow grease. All it takes is a change in water now and then, and a drop or two to keep the water clean. Think of it like cleaning a mini swimming pool. If you didn’t keep the water in a pool clean, it would soon be too scummy to enjoy. The same thing holds true with a water fountain.
Tip #6: How to Clean Algae from your Fountain
If you’re not careful your once beautiful water fountain will turn into an ugly green mess. In order to get your fountain back to what it used to be you need to clean algae from a fountain. Garden fountains often collect the most algae because of where they sit by the sun. You don't need to use harsh chemicals to prevent or remove the algae. You should just follow these simple steps:
Unplug the fountain pump to drain all the water. If you have a smaller fountain you can tip it over into an area you wouldn't mind the water in.
Use a cleaning rag to wipe down the fountain. You should give special attention to where the most algae is.
You can use white vinegar and a bristled cleaning brush to scrub away tougher algae. The vinegar won't damage the fountain and can remove stains and discoloration easily.
Then using pipe cleaners to clear algae buildup out of the hole the water comes from. Gently put the pipe cleaner into the hole, twist around for about 30 seconds and pull it back out.
Fountec Algaecide and Water Clarifier can help prolong and prevent algae build up in fountains as well or if you are looking for a safe, non-toxic water freshener try the Small or Large Fountain Cleanser.
Now that your fountain is cleaned and restored back to its original state you can go back to showing if off to all your friends.