How To Clean Your Water Features
Regular maintenance is key to keeping your water fountains looking beautiful and functioning efficiently. Knowing how to clean water fountains properly can extend their lifespan and ensure they remain a focal point of your outdoor space. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide on maintaining your fountain, ensuring it stays in top condition throughout the year.
Drain the Water from Your Fountain
The first step in cleaning your fountain is to remove all water. Lockout power to the fountain to turn off the system, securing safety while cleaning. Most fountains have a drain plug at the bottom; remove this to let the water drain out. If your fountain does not have a drain plug, you can use a transfer pump when necessary.
Remove Debris and Build-Up
Outdoor water features can accumulate leaves, twigs, and algae over time. After draining the water, remove any visible debris using your hands or a net. To tackle algae and grime, use a bucket filled with an environmentally friendly cleaning solution. A non-abrasive sponge is ideal for scrubbing the sides and bottom of the fountain without scratching the surface.
Flush and Lightly Pressure Wash for a Deep Clean
After scrubbing the fountain, use a garden hose to flush out any remaining muck and loose debris. Consider using a pressure washer for stubborn build-up that doesn’t wash away with the hose. Be cautious with the pressure setting to avoid damaging delicate surfaces. (Note: be mindful of flushing unwanted debris into the drain or sumps)
Clean the Pump and Filter System Thoroughly
The pump and filtration system is the heart of any water feature, and keeping it clean is essential for smooth operation. Isolate the pump and filtration system using valving. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions for cleaning the pump/strainer and any other filtration equipment. Cleaning debris from the pump basket strainer and washing down or replacing filtration elements are typical maintenance procedures.
This would be a good time to verify equipment integrity (checking for leaks, tightening connections/seals, and do any deeper cleaning or service, including visual inspection.
Refill the Fountain with Clean Water
Once your fountain and pump are clean, it’s time to refill it with water. For best results, test water quality to pool pH and chlorine standards, adding chemicals as needed. See pool professional and system operations guide. This will ensure a clear and attractive water feature, (our recommendation??) preventing algae and mineral deposits from forming.
Test the Fountain’s Functionality
After refilling the fountain and adding any necessary treatments, power up the system and turn on the water feature to make sure everything is working correctly. Observe the water flow, check for any unusual noises, and ensure all components function as they should. This includes balancing nozzle heights and setting valving for proper operation.
Routine Maintenance Tips
Maintaining your fountain regularly can prevent the need for extensive cleaning sessions. Depending on environment, you may need to clean your fountain once a month or more frequently if it becomes visibly dirty. Aquatic plants can help absorb nutrients algae feed on, reducing algae growth.
We understand the importance of maintaining your water feature at Roman Fountains to keep it looking its best. As a full-service fountain designer and manufacturer, we offer complete solutions—from conceptual design, update per prior articles, and engineering documents to the manufacturing and shipping of specialized equipment. With over 60 years of experience, our water features are designed and assembled in the USA, fully customizable, and supported by local customer service.