How to Keep Outdoor Fountains Working Well

An outdoor fountain is a wonderful focal point to any garden or patio. But they do require work to keep them clean and functional.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Wrap pump in an old pair of women’s hosiery to keep dirt out of the intake valve.

2. Clean once a month. Dump out all the water, wipe down, and clean with vinegar and a brush.

3. Algae is the enemy of outdoor fountains, but don’t turn to bleach for the solution. There are plenty of safe algae killers at hardware stores. You can double the amount if the problem continues. Or try a time released tablet which only has to be used once a month.

4. If algae becomes so bad that nothing else will work, then use bleach, but use it sparingly because chlorine is not good for the environment. Mix ¼ cup bleach per 5 gallons of water and let it cycle through the fountain for a day.

5. Most importantly, keep an eye on the fountain and don’t let it run dry. The pump motor will overheat and quit working if there is not water in the fountain.