6 Steps To Get Your Fountain Running Efficiently This Spring

The presence of warm air means it is time to get outdoors. This comes with retrieving your water fountain to begin enjoying it as before. A fountain offers a tranquil environment from where to unwind after a hard day at work. It also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space and giving it a more perceived value.

However, you need to follow some essential steps to ensure that you make the most of your water feature this spring. Apart from ensuring that your fountain runs efficiently, you also need a good pump. The following are steps backed by regular maintenance to prolongs the lifespan of your pond fountain.

Steps for a fountain spring tune-up

Step 1: Retrieving fountain

During winter, keeping your fountain covered or in a shed or garage is necessary. This protects it from harsh weather conditions. The fountain is emptied to prevent the water from freezing. Then, the fountain is cleaned and placed where it remains dry until the winter ends. Now is the right moment to retrieve and inspect it for cracks and holes. Use silicone compound to seal any pinhole or cracks and allow drying before proceeding.

Step 2: Check the pump

Now that the fountain is clear, time to fix your pump in place. The fountain obviously has a reservoir or space in the basic where the pump connects to tubing. Place it to fit before waiting to connect to a power source. To enhance the appearance of your water feature, consider installing some LED pond lights. This will significantly enhance the look of your fountain from various angles every night.

Outdoor water pumps are exposed to materials like grass, dirt, leaves, harsh weather, and wildlife. All these can take a toll on the life of the fountain. Regular cleaning of the pump is necessary before installing it back. If you notice significant issues that might compromise the performance of your fountain, consider a new pump. You can easily check for where to purchase pumps for fountains online. Mind about appropriate sizing to ensure you get one that properly fits your water feature.

Step 3: Fountain cleaning

While in storage, the fountain is likely to get filled with dust. For spring tune-up, clean the bowls, tiers, and other parts of your fountain to make it look like new. Cleaning a smaller fountain is possible in a sink while a larger fountain needs a bucket of water. Use a nonabrasive sponge with a mild detergent to wipe the fountain down. Keep scrubbing until all while scale or algae build-up disappears. Afterward, wipe the pan and rinse using clean rags and cloths before adding the clean pump.

Step 4: Check for leaks

The next step is to fill the fountain with water. Avoid adding too much water to prevent leaking. Remove some water and let the fountain again. For persistent leaks, turn the fountain off and dry it to check for a pinhole or cracks. These are easier to detect when the fountain is dry. Use silicone compound to seal the cracks and pinhole. Allow drying before running the fountain again.

Step 5: Troubleshooting

After filling your fountain and checking for leaks, look for signs of other potential problems. Perhaps the pump is not working as expected. Unplug it and do a quick maintenance check. This is by opening the pump cover to look for signs of build-up on the interworks or debris on the impeller. Gently cleaning the impeller using warm water and brush with soft bristles is recommended. Afterward, replace the pump and run the fountain again. It should be working just fine. For further problems, the ideal solution is to call a professional technician for a better solution.

Step 6: Add algae and white scale prevention solutions

After filling your fountain with cracks or pinholes fixed, ensure to add some algae prevention solutions. Additionally, include some white scale control solutions to keep the fountain free from a build-up of a white scale. Ensure to add these in the right amounts to keep your fountain clean and to last longer. Some of the best products should have features including:

• EPA registered to kill algae
• Safe for aquatic animals, plants, and fish
• Managing green water or string algae
• Keeping your fountain mosquito free
• Limiting sludge, mineral build-up, and cloudy water
• Preventing organic build-up in the pump and water lines

After assembling, cleaning, and filling your fountain with water, adding these solutions is necessary. This makes the fountain ready for operation.

Bottom line

With spring knocking, now is the moment to tune-up your fountain. This will make you look forward to enjoying the tranquillity of your water feature like before the winter. The steps above are necessary to ensure that your water feature runs efficiently to meet expectations. Making appropriate pump replacement, regular maintenance, and preventing algae infestation will prolong the life of your fountain for years of enjoyment.