Getting Your Outdoor Water Fountain Ready For Winter
- Author Chris Gill
- Published December 16, 2009
- Word count 530
Winter’s coming, so it’s time for you to decide what to do with your outdoor water fountain. Water Fountain Place’s fountain experts routinely get requests on how to winterize or store garden fountains. Many fountains come with specific instructions about care and handling, so make sure to follow them. Otherwise, take a look at the following guidelines:
Get it Done Before the Frost
No matter how much you love the idea of running an outdoor fountain all year round the truth is that unless you live in an area where the temperature never drops below freezing you must shut your fountain down before the temperature dips below freezing. Even if there isn’t a full freeze, a few ice crystals can damage your fountain’s basin, ornamentation and pump. Pouring antifreeze in your fountain is not only not going to help, but will make your fountain a toxic, neighborhood danger. Don’t do it!
Get it Indoors If Possible
If your garden fountain is light enough to move inside, do it. Disassemble your fountain according to its directions, empty it out and store it in an area that maintains moderate above freezing temperatures to prevent cracking. If your fountain is too heavy to move, remove the fountain pump, empty, clean and dry it, and cover it with a form-fitting fountain cover. A tarp may blow off or create condensation. Disconnect and store electrical cords away from any snow, ice or moisture. If you can’t move your fountain, try to place it somewhere out of the way of snowdrifts, high winds areas that melt into stagnant pools.
Get Your Fountain Dry – But Keep Your Fountain Pump Wet
The key to keeping your outdoor fountain healthy through the winter is to keep it dry. Wipe it off and fill the basin with absorbent rags to prevent moisture from building up. If you do this while storing it somewhere where the temperature stays steady your fountain will last a long time. But while your fountain needs to stay dry, your fountain pump should stay submerged as much as possible to keep rubber elements from drying out. Clean your pump of any accumulated debris and put it in a bucket of water. Store this bucket in a location that never drops below freezing.
Can Your Fountain Work Indoors?
Many smaller outdoor fountains are actually dual use. You can plug them in indoors as well to enjoy their relaxing effects all year round. Check your fountain, but generally speaking, flat-bottomed or stub-footed water fountains that use household electricity, maintain regular water circulation and don’t emit a heavy mist can be installed indoors. Place your fountain on a waterproof surface such as Plexiglas, slightly raised from the floor, and allow for several inches to a foot of clearance on all sides. Make sure you no children or pets will drink from the fountain (or in the case of pets, use a nontoxic additive, but don’t let it become their regular water bowls!) and you can keep it running at room temperature through the winter. Indoor fountain maintenance is a simple process of keeping your fountain clean and maintaining water levels.
Water Fountain Place sells indoor water fountains, tabletop fountains, outdoor fountains and custom fountains.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- The Art and Science of Garden Design
- Why Choose a Professional Pool and Landscaping Company in Dubai
- Transform Your Outdoor Space with Our Hardscape and Landscape Design Services
- Land Calculator for land measurement
- Why Hiring a Lawn Service Company is the Best Decision You'll Make This Summer
- Green Walls with Synthetic Turf Panels: Vertical Gardens for Urban Jungles in Sydney
- BR&D Landscape Sees Huge Increase in Interest for Natural Swimming Ponds
- Transforming Your Outdoor Space: The Art of Landscaping
- Interlocking Brick Driveway: Durability and Elegance Combined
- Outdoor Hot Tub Installation: From Assembly to Relaxation
- Arborist Reports and Expert Consultation
- How Using a Professional Landscape Gardener Can Improve The Space In Your Garden
- landscape design & construction
- Urban Science Interiors
- Landscaping companies in Dubai
- 5 Reasons To Call An Arborist
- Low Voltage Landscape Lighting
- Outdoor Kitchen Ideas Big and Small
- 8 Ways to Use Your Garden Room
- Why Sustainable Forest Management Is Important?
- Top 3 Indoor Artificial Plants Ideas For Commercial Projects
- Top 3 Indoor Artificial Plants Ideas For Commercial Projects
- Proper Care for Newly Planted Trees (5 Easy Steps)
- Understanding The Primary Types Of Fences
- Tree Service
- Getting Your Tree Trimmed For A Healthy Tree
- The Ultimate Guide to Retaining Walls For Homeowners
- Top Landscaping Tips for Albany, Oregon: Maintenance and Gardening Hints
- Centipede Grass: The Best Weed Killers
- Why Hire a Professional Lawn Care Service?