Garden Fountains – Different Components and Maintenance

Of course the smaller your fountain the less time it will take to keep clean and maintain and if your garden fountain has any additional features then these may require some further maintenance.  In this article we will start by looking at the common components of the garden fountains and then briefly take a look at some of the additional elements you can get for the fountains.

Materials

The basic design of the fountains are the same, however, there are many different components of which they can be made.  Some of the most common materials used are stone, slate and steel, so depending on the material you choose for your fountain will reflect on how much maintenance they require.  For example a stone fountain will require very little maintenance; in fact they will improve with age and weathering and look more authentic in your garden.  If you choose a more modern material such as steel then this will require a little more effort in maintaining due to the steel will look better if it is kept clean, so a regular polish will be required.  This being said it really is a very small amount of effort and you may need to do it only once every couple of months to keep the garden fountain looking good.

Pump

The pump in your fountain will be a special one that is suitable for use outside and depending on how large your garden fountain is will reflect the size of the pump.  It is essential the pump is kept in good working order and clear of debris so it can continue to keep the water flowing around the garden fountain.  On a periodic basis it is wise to switch off the pump and give it a good clean to remove any debris and ensure it is in the best possible working order.  When you purchase your garden fountain there will be instructions on how to clean the pump and how often you should do it, it is highly recommended to ensure you read this carefully to prolong the life of your garden fountains.

Basin

If you take a look at the garden fountains you will notice that they have a basin, this is the area of the fountain where the water used by the pump sits so it can be distributed around the fountain.  The basin will require filling during the months where rainfall is limited to ensure there is enough water in the fountain to pump around.  Plus if there is any debris in the garden fountains basin such as leaves or garden debris remove these to stop the pump from clogging.

Additional Elements

There are some additional elements which can be found on some fountains and these can include lights or planters.  If you have a fountain with lights it is likely these will be solar powered, if not then there may need to be cabling run to the mains in order to get power to the light and also the pump.  Before you purchase your garden fountain make sure you fully understand the installation process and any additional requirements you may need to get your garden fountain running.