Once considered only an amenity for grand estates, outdoor water features – better known as fountains – have become widely popular. Available in a variety of sizes, styles and materials, an outdoor fountain is within reach of most homeowners. Incorporating a fountain into your landscaping requires planning, as well as an understanding of the maintenance necessary to keep the fountain clean, and to keep its mechanics in good working order. Our team at Certified Leak Detection looks at the benefits an attractive, well-maintained fountain offers in terms of aesthetics, property value and even an uplifted mood!
Landscaping With Water Features
Adding an outdoor water feature to your home can add value to your property. The landscape design experts at Think Green, Scottsdale, AZ, offer the following major benefits of a water feature:
Beauty – There’s no doubt water features are beautiful, sometimes breathtakingly so. Moving water itself is soothing, sparkling, and clean. Contain this water in one of the huge varieties of ways available, and you can create true beauty. A well-designed water feature can complement the rest of the landscape design.
Focal point – A water feature can prove to be an outstanding focal point for your backyard. They easily make a centerpiece you can create around. Given the amount of options you have, you could make it a focal point on the patio, yard, or even incorporate it into an outdoor kitchen area. Build up the space around it and watch the transformation take place.
Unique – Water features can be customized in many ways to make them unique to what you want. With a simple Google search you can get a good idea of how much freedom you have to design your water feature. You could choose to have a leafy oasis, a clean, modern feature or a rocky natural hideaway. Your feature could be visually stimulating, or it could be calming. The possibilities are almost endless.
Many options – Simply choosing your type of water feature has so many options. From a simple pre-manufactured fountain, to full custom pools, waterfalls, streams, spillways, and containers. There are many different materials to choose from as well, and those materials even come in a wide variety. You can choose from metals, glass, ceramics, plastics, tiles, and stone. Each material comes in many different colors, sizes and shapes. Combining more than one together adds even more choice. You can design and build the right water feature to fit exactly what you’re looking for with the help of a good designer.
Do you have a pond? Consider a pond fountain!
If you’re fortunate enough to have a pond – or small lake – on your property, you may want to consider a pond fountain. As MH Aquatics of Sunbury, Ohio, notes, “Lake and pond fountains are a lovely accent to both commercial buildings and residential homes. They are not only aesthetically pleasing, they also work to prevent algae bloom that can develop in stagnant waters.”
How to maintain an outdoor water fountain
Of course, any outdoor water feature requires proper care and maintenance to provide optimum beauty, function and longevity. Our September 2018 blog post – “Outdoor Fountain Care and Maintenance 101 – What You Need to Know” – covers the basics.
When it comes to the regular upkeep of your water fountain, it is important to ensure that you keep the pump in top condition. Serenity Health & Home Décor, Eau Claire, WI, instructs owners to clean the pump by removing it from the fountain, and wiping away any debris or build-up with a cloth. Open the cover and wipe down the inside of the pump, as well. Any hard-to-reach areas can be cleaned out with an old toothbrush. Just a few minutes of pump maintenance should keep your fountain running smoothly for many years.
It is important to empty the water from your fountain periodically and clean the pump, filter and the entire water distribution system.
How to clean your outdoor water fountain
Cleaning an outdoor water fountain is more difficult than an indoor water fountain for the obvious reasons that an outdoor fountain is exposed to dirt, grime, insects, fallen leaves and bird droppings. The water itself is prone to algae growth. Products specifically for fountain cleaning and care are available at retail stores and online. Serenity Health & Home Décor offers detailed cleaning instructions, as well as tips on where to place a fountain in your yard, if you’re at the consideration stage.
Water fountain troubleshooting tips – courtesy of Hayneedle
- Air bubbles – Turn your water fountain off and on a few times; confirm that it’s properly placed on the ground. Also check if the pump is fully submerged.
- Noise and vibration – Monitor the water level regularly; replenish when required.
- Pump – Make sure the fountain has an adequate amount of water to prevent the pump from burning out.
- Odor – Standing water can lead to an algae bloom, which can cause a foul odor. Add an algaecide to the fountain water; follow label directions to apply the right amount for your fountain’s capacity.
- Water flow – Make sure that there are no kinks in the tube and keep checking the water level. Also, ensure that the flow control valve remains open. You also need to clean the debris from the filter and impeller, and confirm that pipes and tubing are properly arranged.
- White scale – Use a cleaning product specifically for removing white scale, or clean with vinegar and water.
What to do if your outdoor fountain has a leak
Beautiful as outdoor fountains are, however, any fixture that runs water through it is susceptible to leaks. The fountain base is the most conspicuous location that provides evidence of a leak. If the base leaks without a visible crack, Serenity Health & Home Décor advises to turn off the pump and let the fountain sit for one week. This should cause the crack to appear white. In addition to damaging the fountain over time, a leak will also increase your water bill.
A pinhole-sized leak can be covered up with clear Silicone II on the inside of the piece. This method applies to fiberglass or stone fountains. However, attempting to repair it yourself without confirmation by a water fountain installation specialist could make the problem worse. In addition, the issue could be a leak in the piping – which requires repair by a professional.
If you suspect trouble, Certified Leak Detection is experienced in leak detection and repair for swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs, as well as slabs and foundations. Serving areas throughout Central Florida – including Orlando, Longwood, Lake Mary, Sanford, Kissimmee, Clermont and Winter Springs – our team is ready to answer your call. Contact us for quick, reliable service.
