Make a Splash with an Indoor Fountain

Traditionally limited to outdoor gardens, fountain installations have recently become a part of indoor decor. With the advent of home design programming on television, viewers have become aware of various decorating options that would not have been considered ten or twenty years ago. The popularity of indoor fountains began with small tabletop fountains and waterfalls, and has now extended to large wall-hung fountains and waterfalls.

There are many benefits to installing a fountain indoors - a home's humidity can be increased during the dry winter months, outdoor noise can be reduced and replaced with the calming, serene sound of water splashing or flowing, and because of the higher humidity, houseplants will thrive. Those who are troubled by dry, itchy skin or sinus problems during the winter will find relief with higher indoor humidity.

Of course, the most obvious reason for installing an indoor fountain is one of aesthetics. Indoor fountains can range from a simple bowl filled with water, from which water bubbles at the surface, to a waterfall-type of installation complete with plants and koi. Fountains and waterfalls installed on the wall are becoming more popular, as they are space saving, beautiful, and unique. The only limits are one's imagination and pocketbook.

An indoor fountain might be a classical style sculpture or a Zen-influenced combination of fire and water. Materials used indoors are much the same as those used outdoors - fiberglass, concrete, terra cotta, ceramic, slate, copper or granite. Although an indoor sculpture is not subjected to the ravages of weather, it still must be able to withstand the constant presence of water and humidity.

Prices range from less than fifty-dollars to thousands of dollars, usually depending on materials used and the size of the piece. Unique fountains and those made-to-order by artists and craftsmen are also available for those willing to bear the extra cost in order to have an unusual fountain installed.

The care and maintenance of indoor fountains is much the same as that of outdoor fountains. Most fountains contain a recirculating pump to move the water to the highest point of the fountain before it flows or falls into the lowest level where it is once again pumped to the top. These pumps must be cleaned every four to six months, and the fountain itself must also be cleaned.

Indoor fountains are susceptible to water scale build-up, as well as growth of algae. Distilled water may be used, which will alleviate the need for removal of water scale. If tap water is used, then an anti-algae agent and an anti-white scale water treatment should be added regularly to the water. In the latter case, if you suspect your indoor pets might drink from the fountain, you may want to consider a type of installation not easily accessible to the pets because of the chemicals added to the water.