Maintenance & Information Tips
Most painted concrete water fountains will fade over a period of time. In practice this is not important because the fountain starts to take on an aged effect and many people prefer this aged or antique stone appearance. Minor scratches can usually be repaired by finding a paint color (acrylic is best) to match the fountain color. Always wipe the paint off with a damp cloth to remove excess and this will give you a more blended coloration. Top fountain suppliers provide touch up kits that match the paint colors sold by the fountain company. Often it’s best to just let nature take its course and let the fountain weather itself.
Problem Solving Your Water Fountains Issues.
Assuming you have followed the information page on how to install the fountain correctly but the water is not flowing then do the following checks …
Water not flowing down the fountain
Is the plug actually plugged into the socket and the socket is switched on
Is there electric power to that socket
Check another item in the same socket
If you’re sure there is power then open up the fountain pump remove the impeller and check that it is in good order and that the shaft for example is not broken. Read the information supplied by the pump company … sometimes the pump can be “left running” but there is still no water flow. This indicates the impeller is not turning
Some fountain pumps are supplied with a clamp on the pump outlet line … make sure this is not clamped shut.
Check hose is connected to the pump. Sometimes this is “blown off”
Check pipe is not restricted by clumps of algae or other debris.
Make sure the pipe is not trapped under the heavy concrete and that the pipe is not kinked
Make sure the fountain pump is always fully submersed
The Fountain Water Is Dirty, Green or Murky
Green murky water is almost always the result of suspended algae … sometimes brown sometimes green. Treat the water with a wildlife safe algae treatment … remember birds come to drink at your fountain.
It’s also a good idea to empty the water fountain occasionally and fill again with clean tap water from the garden hose. Clean the fountain bowls before refilling with water from the garden hose pipe.
The Fountain Is Getting a White Build Up On It
This is caused by hard water in the supply to your house and scale being deposited on the fountain’s surfaces. Find a mild fountain limestone descaling chemical, clean and then ideally refill the fountain with rainwater and not tap water.
Water From The Garden Fountain Flow Is Uneven
Sometimes this is caused by the fountain not being installed on level ground. I this case use wedges to compensate for the poor levelling.
One nice trick to improve appearance of water flow is to use pebbles in strategic areas and another is to use clear silicone sealant in small lumps also strategically placed to divert water flow to where you want it.
Splashing can be a problem with many fountains so be aware of this … the worst are umbrella type fountains. This best resolved (if it is possible at all to resolve it) by gradually reducing water pump flow
Some Water Fountains Tips
Always install water fountains on a level smooth surface. Water flow will always look better.
View your fountain. Put it in a place where you can enjoy the sight of the water flowing, and birds visiting. Don’t hide it away. For table top fountains put them in your office and living areas. Tabletop fountains are great for relaxing you.
Free accessories and fountain pump including pipes, wedges possibly, clamps should always be included with the fountain set. The pump especially is important because it must be chosen to meet the fountain design.
Always connect the fountain pump up via an RCD or residual current device designed to immediately cut off electric power should short circuit to earth occur.
Check on the shipping costs for water fountains. Shipping charges will possibly be high and especially on large sizes. The shipping cost can be a high proportion of the selling price.
And if you use an online order page for your fountain order always make sure there is a privacy page or at least a statement … most good companies display the privacy policy
Heavy water wall fountains for garden and patio use need special attention.
They need very strong wall fixing attachments. Even small size wall fountains made from stone or concrete are heavy and need strong mounting bolts.
Water fountains that allow water to fall from a height will almost certainly splash and create slippery floors if used in pedestrian areas. They are not recommended for indoor use.
Check water fountain guarantees and that all your rights are reserved.
Always read the information that comes with your fountain carefully … do not resort to the traditional approach of “if all else fails then and only then read the instructions”. The price you paid was probably high so take a bit of time to learn. Most difficulties arise from people not reading this information or instructions. read the guarantee page especially. The safety page will give you information on electrical requirements.
Outdoor Winter Conditions
If you live in countries where outdoor winter conditions are extreme like parts of the USA, UK, Northern Europe and Canada for example then you need to take special precautions to protect your outdoor fountain and pump and extend their life.
Most Painted Concrete Water Fountains Will Fade Over a Period of Time
In practice this is not important because the fountain starts to take on an aged effect and many people prefer this aged or antique stone appearance. Minor scratches can usually be repaired by finding a paint color (acrylic is best) to match the fountain color. Always wipe the paint off with a damp cloth to remove excess and this will give you a more blended coloration. Top fountain suppliers provide touch up kits that match the paint colors sold by the fountain company. Often it’s best to just let nature take its course and let the fountain weather itself.
Problem Solving Your Water Fountains.
Assuming you have followed the information page on how to install the fountain correctly but the water is not flowing then do the following checks …
Water not flowing down the fountain
Is the plug actually plugged into the socket and the socket is switched on
Is there electric power to that socket
Check another item in the same socket
If you’re sure there is power then open up the fountain pump remove the impeller and check that it is in good order and that the shaft for example is not broken. Read the information supplied by the pump company … sometimes the pump can be “felt running” but there is still no water flow. This indicates the impeller is not turning
Some fountain pumps are supplied with a clamp on the pump outlet line … make sure this is not clamped shut.
Check hose is connected to the pump. Sometimes this is “blown off”
Check pipe is not restricted by clumps of algae or other debris.
Make sure the pipe is not trapped under the heavy concrete and that the pipe is not kinked
Make sure the fountain pump is always fully submersed
The Fountain Water Is Dirty, Green or Murky
Green murky water is almost always the result of suspended algae … sometimes brown sometimes green. Treat the water with a wildlife safe algae treatment … remember birds come to drink at your fountain.
It’s also a good idea to empty the water fountain occasionally and fill again with clean tap water from the garden hose. Clean the fountain bowls before refilling with water from the garden hose pipe.
The Fountain Is Getting a White Build Up On It
This is caused by hard water in the supply to your house and scale being deposited on the fountain’s surfaces. Find a mild fountain limestone descaling chemical, clean and then ideally refill the fountain with rainwater and not tap water.
Water From The garden Fountain Flow Is Uneven
Sometimes this is caused by the fountain not being installed on level ground. I this case use wedges to compensate for the poor levelling.
One nice trick to improve appearance of water flow is to use pebbles in strategic areas and another is to use clear silicone sealant in small lumps also strategically placed to divert water flow to where you want it.
Splashing can be a problem with many fountains so be aware of this … the worst are umbrella type fountains. This best resolved (if it is possible at all to resolve it) by gradually reducing water pump flow
Some Water Fountains Tips
Always install water fountains on a level smooth surface. Water flow will always look better.
View your fountain. Put it in a place where you can enjoy the sight of the water flowing, and birds visiting. Don’t hide it away. For table top fountains put them in your office and living areas. Tabletop fountains are great for relaxing you.
Free accessories and fountain pump including pipes, wedges possibly, clamps should always be included with the fountain set. The pump especially is important because it must be chosen to meet the fountain design.
Always connect the fountain pump up via an RCD or residual current device designed to immediately cut off electric power should short circuit to earth occur.
Check on the shipping costs for water fountains. Shipping charges will possibly be high and especially on large sizes. The shipping cost can be a high proportion of the selling price.
And if you use an online order page for your fountain order always make sure there is a privacy page or at least a statement … most good companies display the privacy policy
Heavy Water Wall Fountains for Garden and Patio Use Need Special Attention.
They need very strong wall fixing attachments. Even small size wall fountains made from stone or concrete are heavy and need strong mounting bolts.
Water fountains that allow water to fall from a height will almost certainly splash and create slippery floors if used in pedestrian areas. They are not recommended for indoor use.
Check water fountain guarantees and that all your rights are reserved. Always read the information that comes with your fountain carefully … do not resort to the traditional approach of “if all else fails then and only then read the instructions”. The price you paid was probably high so take a bit of time to learn. Most difficulties arise from people not reading this information or instructions. read the guarantee page especially. The safety page will give you information on electrical requirements.
If you live in countries where outdoor winter conditions are extreme like parts of the USA, UK, Northern Europe and Canada for example then you need to take special precautions to protect your outdoor fountain and pump and extend their life.
