Knowing how to keep water feature clean is important to enjoying your landscape addition for years to come. Whether you have a small backyard fountain or a large pond installation, keeping water features clean helps them run properly, look their best, and stay healthy over time.
Keep reading as we walk you through the basics of how to keep water features clean whether you’ve got a pondless waterfall, fountain, or pond. We break down simple upkeep routines, water treatments, and seasonal tasks to prevent common issues like algae buildup or cloudy water. Plus, we cover when it makes sense to call in a professional for routine maintenance so you don’t have to lift a finger!
How to Keep a Water Feature Clean
The specific steps for how to keep water features clean depends on what type of water feature you have. A pondless waterfall may only need you to clear out debris as you see any, whereas a pond with fish and plants will require more involved maintenance. Fountains tend to fall somewhere in between, but are pretty low maintenance water features for homeowners who want the look without the upkeep.
No matter what kind of water feature you have, four areas to pay attention to for keeping water features clean are:
- Cleaning schedules
- Water treatment options
- Algae prevention
- Equipment care
1. Water Feature Cleaning Schedules
Each type of water feature has its own considerations for keeping it clean. Fountains typically need a quick cleaning every couple of weeks to remove debris, top off water levels, and clear out any buildup around the pump or basin. Pondless waterfalls should be checked regularly for any sediment buildup in the basin or vault, especially if it’s surrounded by trees. Pond installations require more thorough seasonal cleanings along with routine skimming to keep surface debris from building up.
Starting a regular routine makes cleaning easier and prevents small issues from becoming bigger problems. Taking a few minutes every day or two to grab any surface debris makes other cleaning times much faster and will keep your water feature in good shape.
Additional Info: Love water fountains but unsure how much goes into the upkeep? Read more about home water fountain maintenance after this article.
2. Water Treatment Options
Another part of how to keep water features clean is with treatments to help balance water quality. For ponds with aquatic life, water treatments like beneficial bacteria or enzyme blends can help break down organic waste without hurting your fish or killing any plants. For fountains and pondless waterfalls, chlorine-free clarifiers and scale removers are usually enough to keep the water clean.
The goal is to keep the water balanced, odor-free, and clear of any kind of buildup without going overboard on harsh chemicals that could damage a water pump or surrounding landscaping.
3. Algae Prevention
Algae is a common issue when it comes to how to keep a water feature clean. Green water or surface scum is caused by excess sunlight, stagnant water, or a nutrient imbalance. To keep this from happening, you can install a UV clarifier to help with backyard pond maintenance, reduce direct sunlight exposure, or add aquatic plants that compete with algae for nutrients.
Regular use of natural algaecides or barley extract can also help reduce excess algae growth, especially in the warmer months around the Capital Region.
4. Equipment Maintenance
Pumps, filters, skimmers, and lighting systems are all components to consider for how to keep water features clean. Over time, these parts can become clogged, worn out, or need maintenance. Every few weeks (or at least once per season), check out your equipment to look for obstructions, clean any filters, and make sure your water pump is circulating the water the way it should.
For pondless systems, check the reservoir to make sure there are no leaves or other kinds of debris that may stop the water from circulating. Keeping water feature equipment in good shape keeps you from having water quality issues and will make your water feature last.
Importance of Cleaning Water Features
A water feature installation isn’t just an investment in your landscaping, it’s part of transforming your yard into the private oasis you’ve always wanted. Neglecting routine and seasonal upkeep can lead to cloudy water, algae buildup, bad smells, or damaged equipment needing expensive repairs. If you stay on top of keeping debris cleared out and scheduling seasonal water feature maintenance, you’ll spend less time dealing with problems and more time enjoying the sound and look of your favorite landscaping addition.
Maintenance Needed for Keeping Water Features Clean
What goes into maintenance needed for keeping water features clean? It’s important to learn how to maintain a water feature after installation so it stays beautiful and keeps working over time. Taking care of water quality issues, staying on top of seasonal cleaning, and knowing when to call in the pros can make all the difference.
Common water quality issues include murky or discolored water, bad odors, algae buildup, or water circulation problems. Often, these issues are caused by clogged filters, nutrient imbalances, or buildup in the area of your water pump. Regularly clearing out any debris and testing the water will help catch these problems early.
Seasonal maintenance is another important part of keeping water features clean. In the spring, take time to do a deep clean to remove any debris that got into your water feature during the winter months. Check your equipment and see if there are any components that need to be fixed before restarting your water feature for the seasons ahead. In the fall, clearing leaves, trimming surrounding plants, and eventually winterizing your water feature (usually by removing the water pump and draining the water for the winter months) will protect it.
If you run into issues beyond routine maintenance, our team at NVS Waterscapes is here to help. We offer professional water feature services for all types of features. Let us handle the hard parts so you can relax and enjoy your home.
Keep Your Water Feature Clean
Knowing how to keep water features clean isn’t super challenging, but will prolong the life of your investment and ensure your water feature looks amazing year after year. Keeping on top of removing any debris takes just a few minutes every couple days and makes deeper seasonal cleaning sessions that much easier.
Ready to get started with your water feature installation? Give us a shout and one of our professionals will be in contact to help give you the yard you’ve always wanted!
