Winterizing Outdoor Fountains

While most outdoor fountains are made to withstand harsh weather conditions, precautions must be taken to ensure that water does not freeze in your fountain during the winter, which can cause cracks or damage your pump. Concrete and cast stone fountains are particularly vulnerable to cracking in the winter. Here are some helpful hints to keep your fountain safe during these cold months.

• Disassembling your fountain and placing it in a shed or garage is the absolute best way to protect it from damaging weather. However, this is not always possible. Follow these instructions if you are unable to move your fountain to a covered area: Drain your fountain of all water prior to the first freeze of the season. If you can, remove the pump and bring it indoors.
• Take this opportunity to clean the pump thoroughly, removing any algae, pet dander, or other debris that may have accumulated over time. The best way to store a submersible pump is in a bucket or other watertight container filled with water in a warm indoor spot - this will prevent the seals and gaskets from drying out.
• Fountain covers are an excellent way to protect your fountain from harsh conditions. They come in many sizes to fit most fountains, even very large ones. Alternatively, you could use a tarp. Fill the basin of your fountain with some sort of absorbent material, such as burlap or blankets, to absorb any condensation that may accumulate and freeze. If you're not planning on covering your fountain, it's absolutely imperative that you fill the basin and any other spaces where water can accumulate with an absorbent materials. If your tiered fountain has stackable parts which are not cemented together, take off the top tiers and place them in a garage or shed where they won't be exposed to snow and ice.

With these tips, you can ensure that your outdoor fountain will last for many years to come. Hairline cracks, as opposed to large cracks from which water can leak, are a natural occurrence in cast stone and concrete fountains and will not effect the functionality of your fountain.