DIY Fountain Maintenance During Winter

Winter can put a damper on your time in the yard. A lot of annuals have already died off and the yard may not seem as colorful as
it once was in spring. Now is the time to do a little maintenance to your fountain to get it ready to run again once the weather warms up. This will require a few tools you should have around the house, some elbow grease and about an hour or so of your time. I have young children in the house so I enjoy getting them involved to burn off some energy and they enjoy getting dirty with the hands on experience. If you feel this project is too much for you, don't worry. We have trained employees who clean fountains regularly that can do this job for you. Just call our store 225-647-7705 for a free quote. 


 
Tools you will need for this project:
Shop Vac
Soft bristle brush
Water hose/access
Old toothbrush
Level
Plastic Wedges
Old rags

Step 1: Unplug your fountain. Begin by using your shop vac to
remove any existing water in your fountain. This will make it much easier to work around the pump and different tiers. 

Step 2: Use your soft bristle brush, old rags and water hose to
remove mildew, leaves, grass, dirt and calcium stains. Rinse and suck out the water as you continue to clean each level.

Step 3: Look to the bottom bowl of your fountain. You should see
a window or a hole to your pump house. The pump is the heart of your fountain so the more it stays clean, the smoother your pump will run. If you can't see the pump then the fountain will have to be taken apart to gain access. I will discuss how to dismantle your fountain in a different blog. 
 
tep 4: Grab the pump gently to begin cleaning. Do not pull on
the pump. Use your old toothbrush to scrub away any visible debris on the pump and rinse it with water . Gently place the pump back in the pump house. 

Step 5: Now that your fountain is clean, you are ready to begin
leveling. Leveling will help the fountain to have a more even pour on all sides. Use the plastic shims to wedge any tier that seems loose, not sturdy or not level. Next you will want to fill your fountain with water. Each tier should have water.

Step 6: Plug the cord back into the socket. Have a dry rag handy
to dry off the cord end before plugging back in. We do not recommend running
your fountain with freezing temperatures. 

***We would love to hear any ideas or comments on how you personally clean your fountain.***