What are Your Home Improvement Renovations Really Worth?

If you live up north, snow’s just starting to blow in and your garden is taking a break for the winter, so thoughts of springtime may be furthest from your mind. If you own a garden fountain, however, now may be the time to think of the steps you’ll go though to set it back up once the weather is right. Before we begin though, make sure you’ve prepared your fountain for the winter. Read the instructions that came with your garden fountain and this article about winterizing your garden fountain.

Ready? Here’s what to do when spring comes again:

Inspect the Garden Fountain’s Location: When the weather warms up check out the spot you put the garden fountain last year (and where, if it’s one of several models, it might still be. Check the ground for signs of shifting and settling and make sure your electrical outlets are free of wear and the right voltage. If your fountain acted strangely at all last year, the outlet voltage may be the culprit. If there are any issues with the ground or outlet, either fix them or consider an alternate location. Otherwise, just clear away any snow, leaves and other debris.

Inspect and Clean the Garden Fountain’s Basins, Jets and Channels: This means, “Look at everything that isn’t the fountain pump.” Indoors or out, you should have protected your fountain from moisture over the winter. This will keep it healthy. Check your garden fountain for changes in color, cracks and other signs of wear. If you get a quality garden fountain and care for it well there should just be some light weathering. If not, you may need to repair or replace part of all of it. Now is also the time to clean the fountain and make sure there’s nothing blocking water flow. If you have to leave your garden fountain outdoors over the winter, there may be some ice and leaves stuck somewhere.

Check the Garden Fountain’s Pump: The pump is your fountain’s heart. Check it for wear and tear. Get reacquainted with its specifications to make sure you have it set up properly for the fountain and your electrical source. In many cases you can buy a new pump to give an older fountain more energy.

Start the Garden Fountain Up: When the weather’s right and you’ve followed all the other steps, start your fountain up and see how it works! Note any strange behavior in its flow. This could come from one of three sources: a blockage in the fountain’s body, an issue with the pump, or an issue with the power supply. Check these in order if something comes up. For solar garden fountains, remember that the light level will affect power and flow.

Once you’ve set everything up and checked that it works, follow the normal operating instructions for your garden fountain, and enjoy the effect as your garden or deck centerpiece comes back to life heralding the warm season once again.