Having a home water fountain in your outdoor space can add a touch of elegance, zen, modernism, and more to your outdoor space. To keep it looking its best and functioning properly, homeowners with water features in Upstate NY need to familiarize themselves with water fountain maintenance routines. Different from what you might think, fountain maintenance tasks don’t have to be overly time-consuming and shouldn’t prevent you from adding the outdoor fountain you’ve always dreamt about having. When you keep on top of ongoing maintenance items, they’re easy to do and the way they make your outdoor space into a show-stopper is certainly worth it!

Keep reading to learn what’s involved in home water fountain maintenance. See why staying on top of upkeep is important, common issues to watch for, cleaning schedules, and fountain maintenance tips that will keep your water feature looking great year-round.

Importance of Outdoor Water Fountain Maintenance

Knowing how to maintain a water feature after installation is just as important as choosing a design and having it installed correctly. Regular water fountain maintenance keeps your water feature looking great and prevents potential issues that could be expensive to fix. After all, you love the way your beautiful backyard fountain installation makes your outdoor space look amazing so you want to keep it operating properly, right?

Staying on top of water fountain maintenance tasks minimizes the amount of time it takes to keep it clear of debris and operate smoothly. This keeps your fountain visually appealing, but it also extends the lifespan of your feature and makes larger maintenance tasks more manageable.

Common Outdoor Fountain Maintenance Issues

When it comes to water fountain maintenance, there are a few common mistakes homeowners can avoid. Knowing what to look for makes it easier to handle upkeep weekly and seasonally. It also helps you decide between backyard water fountain ideas, and which one you’re up for in terms of the amount of work needed for upkeep.

Some of the most common outdoor fountain maintenance mistakes to avoid include:

• Neglecting regular cleaning: Clear any debris that falls into your fountain, like twigs, leaves, or dirt. These can clog the pump and result in the pump going out, poor water quality, and damage to your fountain.
• Low water levels: Make sure there’s always enough water in your fountain so the pump never runs dry. Your water fountain pump needs to stay submerged at all times to continue functioning properly. Take a look each week and add water as necessary due to splashing or evaporation.
• Algae and mineral buildup: Algae and white scale can quickly build up in your backyard fountain if you don’t manage it properly. Use the proper water treatments to control algae growth and prevent mineral deposits as part of your regular fountain maintenance.
• Using harsh chemicals: While you want to treat the water as needed, you also want to avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the fountain and its water pump. Make sure you’re using fountain-safe products to clean.
• Not winterizing your outdoor fountain: Upstate NY winters can be cold and harsh. If you don’t winterize your feature as part of seasonal fountain maintenance, you risk damage to the structure or elements like the water pump.

Home Water Fountain Maintenance Schedules

One of the most common concerns homeowners have when choosing between different types of fountains for their outdoor space is how much maintenance will be involved. The great news is that outdoor fountains are some of the most low maintenance water features you can install. Having a consistent fountain maintenance schedule is the most important aspect so that debris and other potential hazards don’t disrupt the operation.

For weekly water fountain maintenance, homeowners should check the water level, clean the fountain’s surface, and remove any debris. Make sure you’re doing this at least once a week. You’ll also want to inspect the water pump for any signs of clogging or wear and tear to keep it operating properly.

Seasonal water fountain maintenance is essential for Upstate NY homeowners because of the changes between hot summers and cold winters. In the spring and summer months, make sure you’re regularly treating the water to prevent algae and mineral buildup. As fall approaches, clear away fallen leaves and prepare your outdoor fountain for winter by draining it and storing the pump indoors. Be sure that your water pump stays submerged in water as you store it so it doesn’t dry up and become damaged.

Bonus Info: How do outdoor fountains work? Understanding how they function is vital to seasonal upkeep. Learn more from our guide after this article.

Home Fountain Maintenance Tips

When it comes to what’s involved in home water fountain maintenance, there’s no need to feel intimidated. Our team of water feature installation professionals is here to help you know just what to do to keep your outdoor fountain looking fantastic.

Some simple water fountain maintenance tips to follow are:

• Have the right water feature maintenance tools: Tools like a skimmer net for removing debris, a scrub brush for cleaning your fountain, and a water testing kit to check pH levels help you keep your home water fountain looking great. These tools should provide everything you need to keep it up between deeper seasonal cleanings done by professionals.
• Maintain water levels: Low water levels are some of the most common water fountain maintenance mistakes to avoid. Check your water levels weekly, especially in summer months, and refill it as needed to keep your fountain operating smoothly.
• Use distilled water: Using distilled water in your outdoor fountain helps minimize mineral deposits and keeps the water clear.
• Always keep the water pump submerged: This can’t be stressed enough. Always make sure the water pump is fully covered by water to prevent damage. This includes during any more extensive cleaning sessions or when winterizing your feature for seasonal water feature maintenance.
• Manage algae and white scale buildup: Similar to ponds or other water features, use treatments designed for fountains to control algae and prevent white scale.
• Winterize your outdoor fountain: For water feature winter care, drain your fountain and store the submerged water pump indoors during freezing temperatures to avoid any potential damage. Don’t feel like handling that yourself? You can always leave it to the professionals, especially for larger outdoor fountains that may require more work to properly winterize.
• Deep clean every six months: Part of water feature maintenance is doing a deep clean around every six months.. Give your outdoor fountain a thorough cleaning of the bowl, pump, and any other elements to remove any buildup and keep it operating properly.

Outdoor Fountain Maintenance Made Easy

Outdoor water fountains are relatively easy to keep up and add so much to your home. They’re not just visually stunning, but they can also add value to your property if you ever choose to sell. Following the guidelines we’ve given you for what’s involved in home water fountain maintenance will keep time spent on upkeep to a minimum and let you enjoy your water feature to the fullest. If you’re ever unsure of what you need to do, you can always contact our team of water feature professionals. We proudly serve Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, and the surrounding areas in Upstate NY, creating outdoor spaces homeowners will be proud of!

Want to get a jump on planning your water fountain installation? Check out the NVS Project Planner then contact us to get started.