What should you know about water fountain safety? Whether you have a garden fountain outside, a tabletop fountain or a mounted wall water fountain, there are some general tips you want to remember to keep you and others in your company safe.

First of all, understand that protecting people from slipping is a major concern, even if you have a home fountain. Legal liability for an injury can be a problem at work or at home if someone slips because of a faulty fountain (or even the awkward placement of a fountain).

First off, it’s best to have an electrician install a power outlet right behind your wall mounted fountain. When you’re using a standard plug, the outlet must be recessed. Also, the cords that hang from the bottom of this wall-mounted device can be hazardous. Wiring about fountains is especially dangerous to children. The use of extension cords is highly discouraged as these have caused accidents in the past.

When you are working with wall mounted fountains, be sure to hang the item on the wall using the provided brackets. Make sure that the brackets are sturdy or else use your own anchors. Lightweight fountains are sometimes connected with nails; if so, make sure these fountains are high above the reach of children or pets.

A tabletop fountain should only be placed on a level surface. If the fountain is situated on a crooked setting it will splash unevenly and this could cause leakage to the ground below. Make sure the fountain is not splashing outside of the basin, because even a small amount of water can trip somebody.

You must make sure that the water inside mounted wall water fountains is always moving and re-circulating. Stagnant water is a health risk. If you unplug the fountain then you must replace the stagnant water. Harmful bacteria can grow in stagnant water. These pests can cause all sorts of diseases. Moving water though, has oxygen, and this impedes bacterial development.

This understanding applies to all forms of fountains, from wall mounted fountains to tabletops and garden fountains. In addition to preventing bacteria, you also want to discourage the formation of algae and mineral scale. Mounted wall water fountains will require water treatment for cleanliness. However, it’s advised that you only use chemical free treatments and child-safe treatments. In addition to applying this treatment you should attempt to clean the fountain regularly.

A mounted wall water fountain should be disassembled and cleaned thoroughly once every 12 months. However, the water itself should be replaced quarterly. These tips can help keep friends and family safe throughout the seasons.

You will notice that mounted wall fountains come in two types: re-circulating fountains and a dedicated water source. What determines which system is used? It mainly depends on how much water is being used. The rate of evaporation and water loss (resulting from splashing) is also important.

First, consider re-circulating mounted wall fountains. The fountains that are usually used inside small offices or residential homes have a pump. This pump circulates the water throughout the whole fountain. The fountain has a reservoir pan which holds the water until recirculation. This model allows the fountain to be put practically anywhere, and does not require an additional source of water.

A dedicated wall mounted fountain, or any fountain with a dedicated source of water, is usually made for larger fountains in public places. These are commercial fountains and they may move upwards of several thousand gallons of water. They may actually require up to 100 gallons a day to sustain the effect. Remember that waterfalls and fountains can evaporate slightly, which requires an additional water source.

Of course, just because a wall mounted fountain requires a dedicated source doesn’t mean that it has to be a specially built, high-tech gadget. The source could be something as simple as a garden hose. Usually though, constructing these fountains does involve working with a contractor and plumber.

The mounted wall fountains you see in offices and homes today are usually re-circulating types of fountains. They don’t require their own constantly moving water source. They simply pump the water to the top of the fountain using the small electric pump inside the system. The water runs down the fountain’s surface and goes into the reservoir pan. This is repeated throughout the day as long as the fountain is on.

However, even mounted wall fountains require additional water. All fountains, even smaller ones, evaporate. In fact, the drier your air is the more water you must add. If you have cold temperatures or use a lot of gas heat in your house, you will need to add an above average amount of water. In order to remember this important step, just start adding water to your fountain at the same time you water your plants!

The majority of wall mounted fountains you see are re-circulated fountains. However, some companies do actually carry dedicated source fountains. You can choose to custom-build your own fountain/fall or choose from the most popular selections.