Posts Tagged ‘Garden Fountains’

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Why Can’t Indoor Fountains Be Used Outdoors?

Here’s a question why is there such a thing as  indoor water fountains and an outdoor fountains? Shouldn’t you be able to take a fountain inside or outside at will? Well, there are some fountains that do have this feature. However, most of the indoor fountains you see advertised cannot be taken outside. Why?

Most interior fountains are electrically powered. They have power cords and plugs as well as built-in lighting. Outdoor fountains are specially made and have UL-approved grounding plugs. These plugs protect the fountain from electric shock in the event of moisture occurring. Additionally, there are shroud devices that protect the lights from moisture. Just imagine if your indoor water fountains powered by electricity met up with moisture from the outside world!

The outdoor water fountain (made for this traveling purpose) usually has a special finish that interior fountains don’t have. That means the finish can stand up to wet weather and other earthy elements. If you put an indoor water fountain outside then rest assured, before long, the finish would peel, crack, fade and slowly deteriorate into nothing. Not only can moisture affect the finish, but sunlight and wind are similarly destructive. Outdoor water fountains are made with a special sealant that preserves the look of the fountain. Why some are even “made to age”, and increase in their visual richness as time goes by. Not so, with a traditionally built indoor water fountain.

Just as using interior fountains outside is not a good idea, neither is using an outside fountain inside. Why? Because these outdoor water fountains are created in order to allow a certain level of splashing. This way, the water sounds (not to mention the cascading features) create specific effects.

Simply put, an outdoor water fountain can ruin your carpeting and your precious wooden floors in a hurry. You could also open up your home to a liability risk if people should start tripping. Indoor fountains are specifically made to protect against accidental splashing.

If you still have doubts or questions, what you might try doing is talking to a contractor in your area. He will be able to tell you about the pros and cons of using an exterior fountain inside or vice versa.

Please note that some fountain makers actually offer a special provision where they can make an indoor fountain compatible with an outside environment. The company might ask an additional fee for this add-on, but this could be precisely what you need to complete your home or office fountain project.

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How to Determine the Right Size for Your Water Fountain

Are you interested in a wall fountain for your home or office? Whether you want a fountain for your wall, tabletop or courtyard, you will enjoy the prestige and comfort this device brings you. Wall fountains are especially popular, considering that they can adapt to almost any living situation. However, right about now you may be wondering just what size of wall hanging fountain do you need. How can you tell? After all, you certainly do not want to order the wrong size of wall fountain, put it up and realize that it doesn’t fit your wall!

For starters, before buying any selection of wall fountains make sure to check your living area (or work office) for available space. Pay close attention to the wall length and the height of the ceiling. If you have a high ceiling then ideally, you are looking for a fountain that is tall or vertical size wall fountain.   If the wall is long and has an average height for the ceiling, or perhaps smaller than average height, then your best bet is a horizontal wall fountain.

You want to avoid a tall vertical fountain for a wide wall, unless you have other plans for filling up the sides. You also have to give some attention to the depth of space. If the fountain will be situated in a hallway, for example, then the average depth you are looking for would have to be relatively small. Some people might say six inches is a good figure, but remember you don’t want the fountain to jut out too far. This could cause your guests to run into the fountain or get themselves wet by brushing up against it.

In general, a wall fountain is supposed to open up a space, not crowd it. An ideal place for a fountain would be an empty wall, not a cluttered wall. What you might try is getting the measurements of the fountain you like and then measuring your wall beforehand. You could keep track of these measurements by using tacks, tape or even post it notes. These will act as your reference. Create four corners using these objects that will represent the four corners of the fountain. Now that you have these measurements in place you can back up and observe what looks acceptable. Some users will actually go so far as to create a template fountain using poster board. (You simply cut them into measurable pieces)

In any event, a wall hanging fountain will provide you a great deal of comfort and excitement, whether you welcome clients or guests. Using these tips you can decide the best place to put your wall hanging fountains so they will attract attention!

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How to Choose the Right Waterfall for your Garden

There is no question that a waterfall fountain can do wonders for a lush, green garden. It can create an ambiance of peacefulness and positive energy. Some people love the aesthetic value of a garden fountain while others like the relaxing sound of flowing water. Just picture the serene scene as the water flows down rocks and stones. Whereas other scenarios are ideal for water fountains, a garden demands a natural-looking waterfall fountain. It’s a glimpse of paradise! You can achieve this paradise by purchasing a preformed synthetic stone or fiberglass waterfall which can be found in a variety of widths and heights. The various colors of the garden waterfalls will allow you to coordinate with your garden and  landscaping, creating a natural waterfall.

What should you know if you are looking to create your own garden waterfall? This is a slightly different process than simply installing a wall mounted fountain or a tabletop fountain. In this scenario, you have to carefully consider size, placement and water containment. The design of the fountain will be of importance. Naturally, you are not creating a true waterfall, but a fountain simulation of a natural waterfall.

You have to take into account the size of your yard, your own personal taste, and how much you can afford to spend. Garden waterfalls are usually thought of as big, but you are not required to build a giant waterfall to get the point across. Building a grand waterfall fountain is going to be much different than creating a smaller slope waterfall made of pebbles. The larger the waterfall, the more expensive the operation will be.

You will also need some manpower in order to lift large rocks to accommodate your fountain. Smaller waterfalls can be built in a single say. Larger waterfalls may take several days. When considering placement, it does help if you already have a pond in your garden area. This way, you know exactly where you want to put the garden waterfall.

If you haven’t considered where exactly you want you waterfall fountain, then try and visualize the layout of the yard. Usually, contractors and landscapers recommend you start building right on a pre-existing slope. You may consider creating an artificial slope if you don’t already have one. Basically, garden waterfalls are put wherever they can be the focal point of the garden. You want to be able to enjoy the sight of this site from inside looking out as well as from the outside.

You have to give thought to water containment. Some unit come standard with their own pond or pool for the water to re-circulate and other will need a container.  If you do not have a pool or pond already then you will need such a container where the water can fall. In this case, it might be best to purchase pre-fabricated resin pond forms. Waterfall fountains can transform a pretty garden into a beautiful piece of land!

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Winterizing Your Outdoor Fountain

Garden fountains are susceptible to extreme temperatures. While many fountains are capable of enduring cold temperatures in general, some special precautions have to be taken. This process is known as winterizing your fountain. If you fail to winterize your fountain then the water could freeze inside of the basin or the pump. The result is that it will crack and damage these vital parts. If you damage the pump, it will have to be replaced. Fountains that have concrete or cast stone parts are also at a higher risk of cracking.

What should you do if you want to winterize your garden fountain? If you have the time, the best thing to do is to disassemble your fountain completely and put it somewhere safe (like a garage) in order to keep it dry and at a medium temperature. Not everyone has time to go through this, naturally. If you cannot do this, then take the faster route as described below.

When it’s time to put away garden wall fountains for the season, first drain all water out of the fountain. Next, take the pump (the most important piece of the fountain) and bring to a safe and warm location. Taking the pump inside with you will reduce the risk of damage. Furthermore, you could use this opportunity to clean the pump and rid it of microscopic impurities like pet dander, algae and other debris.

Some stores sell garden wall fountain covers, though you could use any sort of waterproof protective material to prevent moisture from getting into the fountain. You need to make sure that no water or moisture can seep through the covering, a waterproof tarp would make a good covering.  The most important part to cover is the basin. You don’t just want heavy material—you want absorbent material to absorb any moisture that may get underneath the covering.   Think about material like burlap sacks or even bales of hay can be used to absorb moisture, just be sure to check then periodically and replace as needed.   Even if you don’t want to cover the entire fountain, you should try to fill the basin and any other tiers with something absorbent, even if it’s just a towel or two.

If by some chance water gets into the basin and freezes, then you have to worry about cracking and then leakage later on. If you have a tiered fountain with stackable parts then it’s best to take off each tier individually and put them in a safe place. Remember that even small cracks are enough to ruin your entire garden fountain. What about hair cracks? These will often times develop not because of moisture but because of aging and exposure to extreme temperatures. Note that these types of cracks will usually not affect your fountain.

Last but not least, rid your garden wall fountain of all plants and other debris. Leaving these materials inside the basin or pump could cause rotting. Keep these tips in mind for the next winter season!

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Where to Place Water Fountains in the Home

Every home or office could benefit from a hanging wall fountain. Many homeowners and business owners think that a water fountain adds a certain “vitality” to a room. In addition to being an aesthetic wonder, water fountains also provide some physical benefits. A water fountain can work as a humidifier and also help in the flow of Chi. The only question left to consider is where you should put the fountain.

First off, you can place wall hanging fountains in practically any room or area of the house, such as a living room, foyer or even your bedroom. Here are a few points to keep in mind though when going about making decorative decisions.

If there is a lot of traffic surrounding the fountain area, then you may want to think twice about selecting a floor fountain or a deep profile wall fountain. Guests could accidentally bump into it and children may try to touch it. Besides this, well-trafficked areas can lead to an accumulation of dust and the need for more cleaning. Make sure your guests have plenty of room to pass by around the fountain area.

You also have to make sure that humidity or even water droplets will not damage anything nearby. Even on the best wall hanging fountains constructed, there is the potential for some small droplets of water to travel—especially on the underside of the basin. So do not put anything wooden around the fountain, nor should you put the fountain near other delicate surfaces that could be damaged by water.

For the best results, try choosing an area that is not high on traffic but still easily viewed. Remember that a wall hanging fountain is your focal point. Do not try and crowd the area with too many other objects. Give the fountain lots of space to make a good show. While you want to avoid picture frames and large decorative objects, you might try enhancing the beauty with a candle or a plant. They key is to anchor the piece—not overshadow it with extras.

Hanging wall fountains can make good first impressions. So avoid mixing this dramatic piece with anything too ordinary, like TV sets or a particularly ugly piece of furniture. Besides, a TV set would overpower the natural sounds of flowing water. You want to highlight the hanging wall fountain for the eyes and for the ears.

In conclusion, keep wall hanging fountains the center of attention and give them space to shine.

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Top 10 Fountain Care Tips for Long Lasting Beauty

You sure do love your outdoor fountain, don’t you? Such a beautiful piece of work is not a common thing. However, maintaining such a fountain can be challenging. Don’t worry though—we have simplified all you need to know about outdoor fountain maintenance to ten simple points. Here they are…

1. Use water treatment once a week.
This is actually the most important step if you want to keep the water clean and healthy. Using this special treatment can kill off algae, scale and rid the water of mineral deposits. Remember that these microscopic pests can damage your finish.

2. Add water to outdoor water fountains every day.
Your fountain cannot function without fresh water. You must maintain the proper water capacity in order to prevent the pump from burning out or suffering other damage. Check the water level daily. Be sure that the surface is always above the pump. A good standard to work from is to keep the water surface an inch below the basin’s rim.

3. Keep the pump clean from debris.
Clean the pump piece regularly and thoroughly. This will prevent all sorts of debris from compromising the performance; from pet dander to dust to airborne pollutants.

4. Replace the water of your outdoor water fountain once a month.
You must replace the water completely once a month in order to protect the fountain from dust and other deposits and impurities. Ignore this step and the fountain may start to smell sour.

5. Clean the outdoor fountain itself once every three months.
This means disassembling the parts and giving careful attention to each piece. The manufacturer’s standard is a full cleaning once every three months. Scrub the inside and the outside but only use cleaning supplies that will be gentle to the finish.

6. Read the manufacturer’s notice for additional maintenance directions.
Not all fountains are created the same and some require special attention.

7. Do not add any foreign substances to outdoor fountains.
Be careful about adding any foreign substances to the fountain water. Foreign substances, harmless to you, could still potentially affect the pump, the finish or even the inner workings of the fountain.

8. Winterize your outdoor water fountains.
In order to avoid cracking, drain your fountain in the winter and take out the pump. Cover the basin with absorbent materials or a fountain cover.

9. Get rid of accumulating trash.
Debris like leaves, branches, mulch and other natural or unnatural materials can affect the performance of the pump. Even organic materials can release bacteria into the water and this will cause some smelly side effects. You can also buy special pond filters that catch these items.

10. Do not let water splash indoors.
Try and keep the surface level at just the right place—about an inch from the basin rim. Splashing water from outdoor water fountains can damage some surfaces like wood and tile. In fact, waterfalls and heavy splashing outdoor fountains are not recommended for interiors.

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How to Install an Outdoor Fountain

Installing an outdoor water fountain is much more difficult than installing a small interior fountain, right? Yes, but it may not be as difficult as you anticipate. It will take a weekend’s amount of time and you may need some help from friends and family. Nevertheless, it is doable. Here are a few steps involved in the process.

Outdoor fountains that are built directly into the ground have a natural appearance and, by nature, an unstructured feel to them. One of the most challenging aspects of this assignment will be in gathering up materials. You will need a main stone feature to create the waterfall element, as well as a re-circulating pump, which moves the water and keeps it fresh. Ordinary land areas cannot hold water so you will need plastic tubing and pond liner to create the pond. Other items may include river rocks, a metal grate and a container. Some stores will sell all material together as a kit, though you can also buy your own materials and get your choice of products.  There are fountain reservoirs that can be buried in the ground instead of using pond liner and wooden kits.  Some of these reservoir kits include a top screen which can hold rocks or river stones to decorate the fountain.  These units allow the option of using above or below ground for a unique installation.

Before installing anything you will have to dig a hole inside the ground. The hole must be large enough for the pond liner and the wooden frame. When you are finished digging and measuring put the frame and liner inside the hole. The next step in building an outdoor fountain is to connect the pump to the water feature. This is where the tubing comes in. The pump goes inside the hole. The feature must go on the concrete pedestal and then topped with a galvanized grate. Now you can fill the hole with water. The grate sticks out so cover it over with some rocks.

When building your own outdoor fountain remember that the fountain must be level in order to work correctly. What you do want to avoid is putting the fountain anywhere near a wood or carpet surface (such as you might find indoors or in a patio area) You will need an outdoor power socket along with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter for protection. You should have a hole sticking out in the bottom pond area, close by the tube. Push the cord through until it exits on the backside. You want to make sure and plug the pump into the outlet only after you add the water and it is completely submerged.

When building outdoor water fountains, be careful to not overflow the pond area. You will occasionally need to refill the pond because of evaporation. Always keep the pump under the water. Outdoor water fountains are a great deal of fun, especially when you start experimenting with LED lights and foggers!

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How to Install an In-Ground Garden Fountain

Is it hard to install a garden water fountain? That is, a fountain that is actually inside the ground? It does take a little bit of effort, but the result is magical: just imagine sitting back and relaxing while streams of water splash over river rocks! As a built-in water feature, this type of fountain is indeed a popular choice.

How can you go about creating garden water fountains with limited manpower and resources? You don’t have to customize…you can actually create your garden fountain using just a basin and a few extra supplies. First, think about the weight of the fountain and the size. The larger your selection is, the more equipment you will need. If you’re thinking big then hiring a contractor may actually save you money. As far as material goes, there really isn’t a lot of restriction; many use granite, steel or fiberglass material for their garden water feature.

Your first assignment will be to buy the main feature, whether it be a fountain or a waterfall simulation. This piece will include a pump, the submersible electric object that re-circulates the water, and tubing which protects the electric charge from the water. The basin is the part of your garden water feature that will hold the water. The size should be relative with the size of the feature. It must support the weight as well as contain the stream of water so that splashing is minimal.

Some basins for new and attractive garden water features are actually buried in the ground, as with a pond. If this is your plan then you will also need to buy pond liner, so you can keep all the water in one place. If you want to cover the appearance of the pump and the base then you can use river rocks or plants. The base of your waterfall should be buried in the ground and the basin should be on the surface, carefully hidden.

The water stream will seemingly disappear from the rocks, when in actuality it is being re-circulated with help from columns and the pump. This operation is simple and relies on electricity. This will save you from having to buy an expensive dedicated water resource. Most kits for garden water fountains do not include rocks so factor in this extra expense.

Always remember to add water to garden water features on a regular basis. Evaporation will reduce your water level and a pump without full water can be easily damaged. A garden water fountain will make a lively addition to your garden area!

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Top Ten Gardening Tips for Winter

Winter is one of the most stressful times of year for many people. The lack of sunshine, cold temperatures, and tendency to spend more time indoors leads to an accumulation of stress. Today we will look at ten helpful tips for maintaining a garden and garden fountains through the winter and combating the famed winter blahs.

1. Evergreens can add a great deal of life and color to any space. Planting these trees can add shelter for wild animals and protect your plants from wind. The added color can also help make your garden more relaxing during the colder periods.

2. Vivid colors are pleasing to the eye and can help promote a feeling of relaxation. Planting winter berries in your outdoor garden will help you to create a more festive look and will ensure that a walk in your garden still helps to ease stress.

3. Winterizing your garden water fountains is crucial. Frozen water can crack the base, and leaving the pump in place can break it. Remove the pump before the first freeze and be certain to drain the fountain completely before putting a cover over it.

4. If you have a winter garden, you will want to sink all of your hardy perennials in the deepest part of your pond to help keep them as warm as possible. If you have tropical plants, remove them from the pond so that decomposition will not contaminate your water.

5. Garden fountains, statues, trellises, and benches can stand out in a bare area. Rearrange them after all of the leaves in the yard have fallen so that you can create a relaxing and visually pleasing space.

6. Make certain that you provide food and fresh water for birds and other small wild animals. Trees can provide shelter as well, and the birds will make the space seem more alive.

7. If you have small, young, or fragile plants, cover them with bubble wrap or burlap. This will help protect them from the colder night temperatures, and removing the cover in the morning will help ensure that they still receive oxygen and sunlight.

8. Watch out for winter pests such as snails and slugs. When the bugs are gone for the winter, these creatures will move in on your plants and should be removed.

9. Brush snow off the limbs of smaller plants. Snow can become quite heavy and can break your plants. Be careful not to pile shoveled snow onto your plants and be careful to choose driveway salt that is not harmful to them.

10. Start planning your spring garden now. Curling up with a warm beverage and choosing the plants and decorations you hope to use will help provide you with a sense of warmth and will remind you to look forward to warmer weather to come.

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Plunge Into Spring! Create a Japanese Water Garden with a Bamboo Fountain

If you find yourself feeling inspired and relaxed by Japanese water gardens and are longing to create one of your own, you might be surprised to learn that they can be quite easy to make. Employing bamboo water spouts, watertight containers, and aquatic plants, you can easily create a relaxing Zen garden in only a few minutes. These gardens are beautiful and relaxing and offer a surprising sensation of calm and serenity. While some people spend thousands of dollars and many hours to achieve this look and feel, the next few paragraphs will show you how to create one of these gardens in your own yard with only a small amount of time and energy.

When you are ready to build your bamboo fountain, you will need to start with a watertight container such as a lotus pot or wine barrel. The basin will need to measure at least two feet in diameter, but the style is certainly up to you. Wine barrels offer an antique look, while pots and granite basins can provide soothing or decorative features. Once you have selected your container, you are ready to start populating it. Aquatic plants bring a sense of balance to your fountain while also providing it with a much greater visual appeal.

If you have never designed a Japanese water garden, it can help to talk to someone at your local garden store for advice on choosing plants. Water lilies and lotuses are often too large for containers, but your gardener will be able to help you find attractive plants that will thrive well within the space. If the basin is on the small side, floating plants might be your best bet. Once you have your plants in place, you are ready to add a bamboo spout. The spout is easy to install, as you only need to lower the pump into the water, set the arms of the pump across the basin, and plug it in.

Now that your bamboo fountain has been set up, you are ready to go. You will find that plants and decorations can easily hide the cord to your fountain. Adding rocks or small Asian themed figurines can help add to the relaxation and visual appeal of your fountain. Ensure that your fountain receives ample sunlight every day to help your plants grow, and add fertilizer tablets as necessary. The plants will help to maintain balance within the water, ensuring that minimal maintenance is necessary. Your water garden can provide you with a great deal of relaxation and can be set up in a matter of only a few minutes.

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