How to Extend the Life of Your Fountain

Water fountains are rapidly becoming a favorite choice for home decor, but many people don't know how to properly care for them. Here are a few helpful hints and tricks to keep your fountain looking beautiful and running smoothly, as long as possible.

Always read the instructions. The material a fountain is made out of, as well as its design, can drastically change the instructions for care. You wouldn't clean a bamboo fountain the same way you'd clean a copper fountain, or you'd likely end up damaging the finish. Manufacturers usually include a sheet for care and maintenance along with the set-up instructions; this information is invaluable for keeping your fountain looking beautiful and new.

Change the water regularly. The water in your fountain will need to be changed after approximately four to six months ' earlier with smaller fountains, such as tabletop models. Even with regular use of water treatment, your fountain water could get slimy or start to have an unpleasant smell. There are a variety of ways to clean your fountain water with minimal hassle ' check out Changing Your Fountain Water for details.

Maintain the proper water level. Fountains are natural humidifiers for interior spaces ' the water will evaporate at a rate that varies by region as well as the size of the fountain. If the water level gets too low, you will notice that your fountain seems noisy or sluggish. Allowing the water level to go too low can cause damage to the fountain pump. Try adding water to your fountain every day, as you water your plants. Your fountain instructions may specify a certain recommended water level, but if not, a general guideline is to keep it no less than 2 inches below the lip of the basin.

Use water treatments to prevent algae and mineral stains. Distilled water will help prevent the buildup of mineral deposits, but it's not always convenient to use, especially if your fountain holds more than 1 gallon of water. No More White Scale is a treatment that will remove existing mineral deposits, and prevent new ones from forming. White scale deposits form on nearly any fountain that is filled with tap water; they typically look like crusty white or pink layers of hard deposits that form a ring around the water line or develop in other areas that are in constant contact with the water. All fountains, including those using distilled water, can develop algae. No More Algae is a gentle, yet effective algaecide that has been developed exclusively for use in fountains.

Keep the pump free of debris. When you change the fountain water or clean your fountain, take the pump apart and remove any debris that may have been trapped inside. This will ensure that your fountain pump will be able to run smoothly and last longer.

If you have any specific questions about the care of your fountain, the manufacturer is the best source of support. They can often give you extra care tips, offer replacement parts, and occasionally offer special products to extend the life of your fountain.