How to Clean a Large Bird Bath Fountain
A bird bath fountain is a pleasant back yard addition to attract a variety of wildlife. Leaves and other debris, however, can cause restrictions in the water flow from the fountain, so routine maintenance is important. You should clean a large bird bath fountain at least once a year or more if there is noticeable debris in the water. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- Siphon hose
- Garden hose with narrow stream attachment
- Scrub brush
Instructions
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1
Disconnect the fountain from the power supply for the pump.
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2
Use the siphon hose to drain all the water from the bird bath. Lay the entire hose in the bird bath so the hose fills with water. Keep one end in the bird bath securely, hold down with a rock if needed. Slowly move the other end out of the bird bath keeping the hose filled with water. Lay the hose on the ground below the level of the hose in the bird bath. Water should start running from the hose.
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3
Put on rubber gloves, and remove all debris from the bird bath.
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4
Spray the entire bird bath with the garden hose with the attachment set to stream to dislodge debris from the fountain surface. Use a scrub brush if needed to remove all soil on the surface of the fountain.
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5
Check the inlet for the fountain to be sure it is clear of debris. If the inlet has a screen, check for signs of wear, such as large holes, and replace if needed. Spray water through the fountain from the top of the fountain to remove any debris and clean the fountain.
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6
Use the siphon to drain the wash water from the bird bath.
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7
Refill the bird bath fountain with fresh water, and reconnect the power supply.
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Tips & Warnings
Clean on a warm day since you will likely get wet while cleaning the large bird bath fountain. Dispose of debris in a compost or a garden to add nutrients to the soil.
The use of cleaning products can cause birds to become sick or die. If you choose to use cleaning products that are not rinsed immediately, cover the bird bath with a board or plastic tarp so the birds do not drink the water.
