Winterizing Your Outdoor Fountain
Most outdoor fountains are made to stand up to the elements, but precautions have to be taken to ensure that water does not freeze in your fountain and cause it to crack, or damage your pump during the cold winter months. Concrete and cast stone fountains in particular are vulnerable to cracking in the winter if care is not taken to prevent it. Here are a few helpful hints for keeping your fountain safe during the winter:
- If possible, the best case scenario would be to disassemble your fountain and place it in a shed or garage to completely protect it from damaging weather. If it is not possible, you will want to follow the instructions below.
- Prior to the first freeze of the season, drain your fountain of all water.
- It is preferable to remove the pump and bring it indoors if you can. This is a great time to clean your pump, removing any algae, pet dander, or other debris that may have accumulated over time.
- You may wish to purchase a fountain cover, or cover your fountain with a tarp or other protective material, which can help keep moisture from accumulating. Fill the basin of the fountain with an absorbent material such as burlap sacks or blankets to absorb any condensation that can accumulate and freeze during the winter season. This is the most fail-safe way to protect your fountain from winter damage.
- If you are not planning on covering your fountain, it is absolutely imperative that you fill the basin and tiers, if applicable, with an absorbent material such as burlap, blankets, rolled towels, etc. When water gets into the basin and freezes, there is a very good chance that the tiers will crack if they are not protected. If your tiered fountain has stackable parts that are not cemented together (such as our Cast Stone Fountains), we recommend taking off the top tiers and placing them in a garage or shed where they won't be exposed to snow and ice.
- These tips will help to ensure that your outdoor fountain lasts for many years to come. Many concrete and cast stone fountains will develop tiny hairline cracks over time after exposure to the elements; these cracks are completely natural and will not effect the functionality of your fountain.