Tips for Fountain Care and Maintenance

Fountain care plays an essential role in keeping your fountain looking beautiful and operating smoothly. The good news is that most water fountains do not need a lot of maintenance. At the most, you would have to wipe them to remove dust and dirt and also check water levels so that the pump in the fountain does not get damaged. A lot of fountains require purified water so that calcium deposits can be avoided. In case you have invested in an outdoor fountain, you might need to make arrangements for fountain safety, winter cleaning etc. before you store it. Many outdoor fountains can also be used indoors. Your fountain most likely came with instructions on fountain care, so it is a good idea to read and follow it.So how would you ensure that you fountain is a joyful sight for years to come? Here are some fountain care tips:Fountain Maintenance If you have an indoor fountain, it is advised to use distilled water to avoid calcium and mineral deposits on your pump. Ordinary water is okay for outdoor fountains; however, some kind of water treatment is recommended to prevent formation of algae or lime. One of the critical things to remember with fountains is - the pump must not run dry since it causes it to burn out. Thus, water levels are the most important aspect of fountain care and this is something you must pay attention to, depending on the kind of climate you live in.During winter, special care must be taken to protect your fountain from the extremes in temperature. In very cold climates, fountains are usually fully drained and stored in the garage or indoors. If the fountain is left out in the cold, temperature fluctuation could damage the material.Any dirt or dust on your water fountain can be wiped clean with a cloth. For outdoor fountains, debris in the form of dry leaves tends to be blown in by the breeze, which needs to be removed periodically so that they don't hinder the pump.Fountain odors are often caused by algae build up, in both indoor and outdoor fountains. This is because the algae turn slimy and smelly. This is why the fountain needs some kind of water treatment say about once a week.Depending on what material your fountain is made of it might need some special fountain care. Copper fountains usually come with a protective powder coating. This can look new when you gently wipe it with a soft cloth and household polish. Some types of water cause white spots on the copper. If this happens, you might need to use calcium lime removers available in the market. Preferably, make sure that the copper part of your fountain is not damp. With stainless steel fountains, there hardly any maintenance involved as it is also corrosion resistant. All you have to do is wipe clean with a cloth. Acrylic fountain care is easy with the use of plastic cleaners. Do not use any strong cleaning fluids and make sure you keep it far from heat.To summarize, fountain care involves surface cleaning, water cleaning, checking water levels, winter care and taking good care of the pump. That said, make sure that the maintenance and care instructions that came with your fountain are easily accessible so that you can enjoy your fountain for a long time.