Fountain Maintenance

I really want a fountain, but am concerned about the maintenance. How much work is required to keep a fountain running and looking nice?

Water fountains require very little maintenance. Once set up, fountains simply need to be wiped clean every now and then, and the water level needs to be maintained to prevent damage to the pump. Here are some tips for keeping your fountain running properly and looking beautiful over the years.

Copper Fountains

Clear Coated Copper Fountains

Some of our copper fountains are available with a protective clear coating. This 'powder' coating is a heat baked, enamel finish that is applied to the surface of the copper to protect the surface from turning green. Note that 'clear coat' and 'powder coat' mean the same thing. It will help to maintain the 'new' look of the fountain over the years.

To maintain the beauty of clear coated copper:

Apply Turtle Wax Hard Shell wax every two to three months. Pledge or another household furniture polish with a soft cloth will help with daily maintenance. Take care not to get any wax or furniture polish in the water, as this can damage your pump.Do not allow droplets of water to accumulate on the copper parts for a long period of time. DO NOT USE COPPER CLEANER, as this may damage your powder coated finish. In some areas of the country, tap water contains a large amount of minerals, which causes unsightly deposits on your fountain. If you see white spots on the copper parts, they can be cleaned off with Calcium Lime Remover (CLR) following the instructions on the bottle. Make sure that you rinse all cleaning agents off thoroughly before refilling and restarting your fountain.

Remember that all copper oxidizes- even if powder coated. Powder coating merely slows the process. On powder (or clear - both terms refer to the same thing) coated fountains, particularly in creases where water and moisture collect, a rosy color will ultimately develop. This 'blush' will generally stay localized and will not affect the performance of your fountain. Maintaining your fountain, as instructed above, will delay and minimize the blush.

Natural Copper Finish Fountains

Pledge or another household furniture polish with a soft cloth will help with daily maintenance. Do not allow droplets of water to accumulate on the copper parts for a long period of time. DO NOT USE COPPER CLEANER, as this will remove the patina, leaving the original bright copper finish (unless you want that look). Also, do NOT use CLR or wax because they will remove the hand-applied patina finish. However, should you wish not to preserve our finish, simply do nothing and allow nature to perform its own permanent patina. Your copper will travel through different hues of oxidation but eventually will take on the verdigris quality of an old copper roof. How quickly your fountain will verdigris will depend upon your climate, the water you use, and how you maintain your fountain. Copper is a natural material, reactive to its environment, and it will oxidize from exposure to air and water, and darken from exposure to the sun.

Stainless Steel Fountains

Stainless Steel is virtually maintenance free. The smooth and non-porous surface makes it difficult for bacteria and other micro-organisms to adhere and survive. It has an excellent resistance to corrosion.

To remove fingerprints from stainless steel, simply wipe clean with a damp sponge or microfiber cloth. Avoid abrasive products, as they will leave scratches - never use scouring powders or steel wool. Also, disinfectants containing bleach can not only damage the surface of the stainless steel but can eat away at the pump as well.

If your stainless steel fountain develops scale, treating it with Protec Water Treatment should remove it and prevent its reoccurrence.

Acrylic Fountains

Like all products, it is important to use the proper cleaning solution to keep your acrylic fountain looking beautiful. We use and recommend Novus Plastic Polishes. These are available in many hardware or plastic supply stores.

Remove the water from your fountain before cleaning. For tips on how to do this, please visit our Changing Your Fountain Water page. When cleaning, wipe gently with a soft cloth or chamois. Also be sure to apply enough plastic cleaner to actual acrylic and to the cloth.

Scratch removal: Like beautiful wood or fine silver, acrylic can scratch. Unlike other materials, a scratch on acrylic can be removed. Minor scratches can be visibly removed by using the Novus Polish and a cloth. Deeper scratches can be removed by purchasing restoration kits.

Caution: Do not use window cleaning fluids, scouring compounds, gritty cloths, household scouring compounds, lacquer thinner, benzene, leaded or ethyl gasoline or strong solvents such as alcohol, acetone, or carbon tetra chlorine. Keep away from excess heat or open flame.

Maintaining the Correct Water Capacity

Maintaining the water level in your fountain is crucial to keeping it running properly, and preserving the life of your pump.

Fountains are natural humidifiers for the environment. The amount of water that each fountain consumes daily depends on how dry the air is and what type of fountain you have. For example, a small fountain kept outdoors in Arizona is going to have the water evaporate much faster than a large fountain kept indoors in Florida. Generally speaking, you should add a small amount of water each day instead of adding several gallons every few days. Try to maintain a water level outlined in the fountain instructions. A good way to remember to do this is to make it a habit to add water to your fountain when you are watering your plants.

How often do I have the change the water?

Changing the water should occur when the entire fountain is cleaned. (Recommended every 4-6 months). Please visit this page for tips: Changing Your Fountain Water.

Anti-algae and anti-white scale water treatments are recommended to prevent the growth of algae as well as the build-up of mineral deposits. You simply need to add a drop for each gallon of water contained in your fountain once a week.

Pump Maintenance

My pump is noisy. How do I fix it?

First check to be sure the pump is fully submerged in the water. Now be sure that the pump is not vibrating against the side or bottom of the fountain basin. You can isolate the pump by placing a Scotchbrite pad underneath it or beside it to minimize the vibrations, quieting the pump.

Why would the pump stop working?

The pumps are submersible, and MUST be used while completely submersed in water. The water acts to cool the pump and maintain the proper operating temperature. Low water levels, frequently turning the fountain off and on, or poor fountain maintenance will contribute to a shorter pump life span. Dust and animal dander that gets into your fountain water can also accumulate inside a pump and cause it to stop working. A good way to keep this from happening is to cut a section of sheer pantyhose, slip the pump inside it, and tie off the ends tightly with rubber bands.

To clear a pump of debris, follow these simple instructions:

Unplug the pump. Remove any debris that has accumulated on the outside of the pump. You may need to scrub gently with a wash cloth. Stubborn algae can often be removed by soaking the pump in vinegar.
Remove the pump cover. For most pumps, the cover slides right off.
Pull out the magnetic impeller. Remove any debris that may be wound around it or inside the shaft. Often, pet dander, algae and other debris keep the impeller from turning.
Replace the impeller and cover. Your pump should now be clean and running optimally.