Warmer weather is here and summer months are approaching! Follow our stone fountain maintenance tips to keep your fountain looking and working great this season.
Clear Debris
Remove all leaves, twigs and dirt that may have collected in your fountain basins during the winter. Leaving organic matter in the basins can stain the stone and damage the fountain pump.
You should also clear debris from the fountain pump. Pollen, leaves and dirt can collect and clog the pump. To clean it, remove the cover and rinse out the filter. Another way to clear buildup from the pump is to gently scrub away debris with an old toothbrush.
Clean Stone Fountain
Before filling your fountain with water, you should clean its surface. Simply spray it off with a hose and scrub dirty areas with a nylon brush. Spraying off the fountain and scrubbing it down will remove dirt, bird droppings and other remnants from the colder months.
After cleaning the stone fountain surface, fill the basins with fresh water.
Replace Water
Depending on your fountain size and if you are treating the water, you may have to replace the water a few times after the initial fountain fill. Replacing the water flushes out dirt and other debris to provide a better flow through the fountain.
Run Your Fountain
The easiest way to keep your fountain in great condition is to keep it running. This keeps the water moving, reducing the chances of buildup and extending the life of your fountain pump because it is turned off and on less often.
Download our free fountain maintenance checklist to learn more about caring for your fountain!
4 Tips For Winterizing Outdoor Water Fountains
October 26, 2016
It’s that time of year again! Temperatures are dropping and winter is near. If you live in a freezing climate, it is important to winterize outdoor water fountains to keep it in great condition. Follow these tips to protect your fountain for years.
Tiered Fountains
If you have a tiered fountain, it is crucial to drain the water from the fountain bowls. If you have a fountain from Carved Stone Creations, there is a rubber stopper in each bowl you can remove to drain the water easily. Granite fountains can withstand freezing temperatures without getting damaged, so you dont have to move your fountain or cover it. It can stay right where it is all winter long!
Next, you need to remove the pump. Place the pump in a bucket of water and store the bucket in a place where it won’t freeze.
If you have a pond-less basin, you can leave the remaining water in the basin as the frozen water does not damage it. If you have an above-ground stone basin. Then make sure to drain the water out as you did with the fountain bowls.
Boulder and Basalt Fountains
Boulder and basalt fountains are even easier to winterize. You can leave the boulder or basalt fountain in place on the basin all winter. All you have to do to winterize these fountain types is remove the pump and place it in a bucket of water. The bucket should be stored in a place where it wont freeze. You can also get knowledge about the right installation of Basalt Fountain.
Winterizing Supply Lines
Auto-fill devices for the pond should be shut off and winterized to stay protected. If your water supply line is tied into an underground irrigation system, this line should be blown out with the rest of your sprinkler system. If your water supply line comes directly from the house, simply disconnect the line from its source and blow all the water out of the line with an air compressor. This will help reduce the risk of damage to those lines.
Debris
No matter what type of outdoor water fountains you have, its a good idea to clean up all debris in and around the fountain before the first snowfall. Removing branches, leaves and other debris that fell into the fountain in the fall will help prevent staining come spring. It also makes it easier to restart your fountain in the spring.
Granite fountains are durable and generally low maintenance, but they still require some care to prepare for winter. Winterizing your fountain goes a long way to increase the enjoyment and function of the fountain year after year!
If you have questions about winterizing your fountain, please call us at 1 (866) 759-1920.
How to Care for Your Bronze Piece
October 19, 2015
Bronze is an exquisite material for sculptures and fountains. Learn how to care for your bronze display to preserve the natural beauty of the material.
The good news is bronze doesn’t need too much care or maintenance. Regular cleanings will keep your piece in good shape.
One of the most important things you can do to take care of your bronze piece is remove the dust regularly. Dust buildup can cause the wax coating to wear off quicker than normal. You can use a soft cloth or brush to wipe off the loose dust. You can also use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove the dust.
Don’t use abrasive cloths or brushes to remove the dust, they may scratch the surface or remove the protective wax coating.
If your bronze piece has a grimy film that normal dusting won’t remove, you may need to complete a more intense cleaning process. To clean off the film, use a simple soap and water mix.
Choose a soap that is mild and free of scents (especially lemon scent). Certain scented soaps can have other abrasive additives in them that can be harmful to the bronze. Only use a few drops of soap to loosen up the grime. Always test a small, discrete area of the sculpture with the soap and water mix before wiping down the whole sculpture. Once the whole piece is wiped down with the soap, rinse out the rag with clean water and wipe it down again with plain water. Use a soft toothbrush to clean out intricate details.
After a thorough cleaning, a new coat of wax should be applied. Wax protects the surface from oxidation and gives the piece a luster look. Before applying the wax, make sure the piece is completely dry. If you apply the wax while the bronze is still wet, the moisture will be trapped between the bronze and the wax.
Plain clear paste wax is recommended for the best results. Apply the wax with a clean, soft rag. Make sure to only apply a light coat and allow it to dry completely before buffing it out with a new clean cloth. For outdoor sculptures, we recommend applying a second coat of wax.
As a general rule, keep the cleaning process simple. Avoid abrasive polishes, brushes, chemicals and oils as they can damage, scratch or even remove the natural patina of the sculpture. Stick to soft cloths and mild soap and water to clean your sculpture.
If you would like more information about caring for your bronze sculpture, please contact us.
4 Accessories For Your Fountain
August 5, 2015
Fountains can be transformed with a few different accessories. Some accessories are necessary for running the fountain, while others are an add-ons that can take your fountain to the next level. Learn more about a few popular fountain accessories:
Pumps
A fountain pump is an essential part of a fountain. Fountains come in many shapes, styles and sizes. The pump you choose depends on the desired height of the water in your fountain and the amount of water flow, size and type of nozzles installed in the fountain.
Spray Rings
A spray ring is a great way to draw attention to your fountain. A spray ring sits around the base of the fountain and sprays water into the basin from adjustable spray nozzles. Adding a spray ring to your fountain is a great way to make a grand look while adding the soothing sound of falling water. Spray rings work best on fountains with a larger basin to contain the splashing.
Pondless Basins
Some fountain styles don’t have a basin included in the design. Pondless basins are a great option for fountain styles that don’t have a basin or for a more natural look. Pondless basins, also called disappearing fountains, allow the water to appear like it is flowing up out of the ground and cascading down the sides of the feature back into the gravel below. The pump and basin are completely hidden from view.
Underwater Lights
Underwater lights make the fountain water appear to glow at night. There are white lights and colorful lights available to install in the fountain basin for a customized look. Honestly, we recommend the more classic warm white LED light look, rather than color-changing LED lights. (The reason for that is that though they start OUT all the same color, over time the lights tend to get out of sync, and then one is green while another is red, etc – so they start to look bad.) We have both larger 9 Watt Underwater LED lights (to use in the deeper water of a fountain pool) as well as smaller 3 Watt LED lights (which are better for the shallower water bowls of a centerpiece.)
Consider adding one or all of these accessories to your fountain. If you need help choosing the right accessories for your fountain, please contact us.
How to Maintain Your Fountain Pump
May 15, 2015
The fountain pump is what keeps your fountain going and water flowing. It is important to maintain your fountain pump regularly to keep it working properly. Below are some quick tips on how to maintain your fountain pump.
1. Clear Debris
The first and easiest way to keep your fountain pump running is to make sure there isn’t debris blocking the pump. Pollen, dirt and leaves are just a few of the items that can block your fountain pump. Eventually if there is too much debris, the pump will slow down or maybe even stop working altogether if it gets too bad. One simple thing you can do to maintain your fountain pump in great condition is to check the pump every so often and clear any debris before it starts to build up.
2. Clean Pump
If you weren’t able to catch the debris before it builds up in your fountain pump, use an old toothbrush or cloth to gently wipe out the pump and clear it of debris. Typically the build-up wipes clean easily, but if you have tougher stains you can soak the fountain pump to loosen up and stubborn debris.
3. Mineral Build-up
Something important to note is if you have particularly hard water in your fountain, you may need to clean it more frequently. Hard water leaves mineral build-up on the pump which is just as damaging as debris stuck in the pump. Use the same cleaning method mentioned above to remove mineral deposits on the pump. You may need to scrub a little harder to remove the mineral stains. Soaking the fountain pump in a diluted vinegar solution is another option for removing these tough mineral deposits.
Maintaining your fountain pump is crucial to keeping your fountain running properly. Also Learn some tips to choose right fountain pump
Need a new fountain pump? Shop our large selection here.
Adding a Spray Ring and Other Features to Your Water Fountain
April 13, 2012
In their own right, a fountain is an impressive feature for any landscape. However, going the extra mile with additional enhancements like multiple water features, spray rings, lighting, and timers can really make your water fountain an awe-inspiring sight to behold. If you have the budget and the idea we can make it happen! While such enhancements are not necessarily a regular part of our fountain designs and installations. We are glad to help you source and install such features.
Fountain Spray Rings
First, let’s talk about one of the mainstay features that Carved Stone Creations can add to a fountain; fountain spray rings. While the spray of water from a fountain finial and the cascading water falling from tier to tier on a fountain is certainly interesting and soothing to watch. It doesn’t have nearly the visual effect that a spray ring can add to a fountain. A spray ring literally encircles a garden fountain with a halo of spraying water. The arching curves of the spray really draw your eye path into the fountain as a whole and the effect of the water catching the light is a spectacular sight to behold. A spray ring really does add a whole new dimension to your fountain.
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Copper Spray Rings
We design our spray rings from a copper tube which will have a much longer life then PVC tubing which could potentially explode if water freezes within it or warp under high heat. (PVC tubing also gets brittle with UV damage over time, so typically won’t last much longer then 5 – 10 years outside.) Our copper spray rings are bent from copper tubing and soldered together for a watertight fit. Spray nozzles are soldered to the ring directly and the ring sits atop tubing feet. You can adjust spray nozzles according to your wish because we use adjustable brass nozzles. We can vary the number of nozzles on the right to include as few or as many as you desire. Besides installing a spray ring in the fountain pool we can also install smaller spray rings in the smaller upper tiers of a water fountain. The smaller ring in the upper tier of the fountain pictured below draws additional attention to the beautiful angel statue without obscuring it or overpowering it visually by using fewer streams of water from the spray ring.
How to Install Fountain Spray Ring?
Lets take a look at the hardware necessary for installing a fountain spray ring. In the picture below you can see the copper spray ring, water pumps, and water fountain lights.
For maintaining accurate water pressure in spray rings you can use two water pumps. A dump valve allows you to control the pressure going to the ring, while a water line also feeds the fountain itself.
The Underwater Disconnect Coupling allows the power to the pump to be disconnected without the need for a junction box. Unplug your pumps, and stow them away for the winter.
An underwater junction box feeds power to all of the lightings. Just like the underwater disconnect plug, you can easily fish the junction box out and disconnect the lights if desired.
Most spray rings will require two pumps (or more depending on the size). Pump size depends on the height of stream and number of spray nozzles.
This may look a bit cluttered right now, but keep in mind that nearly all of this will be submerged once the fountain is filled and out of sight. Here’s the same fountain in action:
The added lighting really makes it stand out at night as each stream from the spray ring is illuminated
While we typically stick to standard installations and simpler features like spray rings and lighting, we can work with you to really make your fountain stand out with other added water or lighting features and maintenance controls if your budget allows.
Check out this following interesting “outwards facing” copper spray ring. (With a ring like this, the cost of the copper spray ring is less, as there is less copper tube and nozzles used. But, you need a much larger granite pool surround to catch those outwards facing splashes, otherwise the water will bounce right out of your pool, and drench the area outside the pool (possibly killing your nearby foliage), cause major water loss, and possible slip/fall issues.)
Advance Fountain Features
In the realm of improved fountain maintenance. some advanced control features will go along way towards cutting down your fountain maintenance and extending the life of your fountain hardware.
You can maintain water level with efficient water sensor and avoid from starvation. This is an advanced sensor system . We can also add spitting animal fountains like these fish to your fountain pool.
Wind Speed Sensor
Another helpful maintenance feature is a wind speed sensor. When wind speed picks up even a strong highly pressurized spray stream of water is bound to break up and scatter in the wind. Suddenly the spray from stone fountain finial or carefully aimed spitters could be missing the pool entirely and soaking the grass, passing pedestrians on walkways, or even passing vehicles that are in the wind’s path! This may not be a high concern for a typical residential fountain. Commercial or park settings with frequent foot and vehicle traffic can be a problem. A fountain wind sensor can monitor wind speed and shut the fountain pump off once the wind speed exceeds a certain threshold.
Water Pump Timer
You can also add pump timers and on/off controls to your fountain. You can hard wire a switch to your home, add a wireless remote control. If the fountain is in close proximity or sets up timers to run your fountain during certain hours.
You can attach pump timer with a fountain in different ways. We can help you design a fountain that truly sets itself apart through the addition of the features we mentioned.
Fountain Installation
Looking for someone who can install a spray ring and other fountain accessories for you? Carved Stone Creations is located in Kaukauna. We are a reasonable drive away from many Midwest metro areas including Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Traverse City, Davenport, Des Moines, St. Louis, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Columbus, etc. Visit our showroom to see first hand what we can design for you. Our convenient centralized location also means we can bring all of the tools and heavy equipment required.
We understand the effect our harsh Midwest winters can have on exterior stone fountains. We design and install architectural stonework like fountains, statues, exterior stone veneer, etc with those factors in mind. We’ll make sure the stone work we install for you stands up to the weather and the test of time!
Outside of the Midwest? Just contact us,We can install there too. We have done work from New York to Florida to California as well.
The Advantages of Natural Stone Vs. Cast Stone
March 6, 2012
While advances have been made in cast stone and other faux stone alternatives, there is still simply no comparison to the durability, beauty, longevity, and value of natural stone. A natural stone fountain, statue, planter, etc. will last much longer then a cast stone counterpart that will eventually chip, crack, and crumble due to exposure to natural elements, especially in cold weather climates where freezing and thawing cycles allow water to seep into the porous surface of concrete and expand to create damage.
Carved Stone Creations uses granite for most of the outdoor fountains, statues, window and door surrounds, trim, and cladding we provide because it is virtually non-porous, is resistant to fading, and requires little maintenance. Regardless of whether you call it patina or weathering, the aging and damage caused to cast stone by the elements is still deterioration! (The following photos are of a concrete fountain that only lasted less than 3 years in a Michigan installation.)
While many cast stone companies claim that their product meets ASTM standards for withstanding freeze/thaw cycles, what they don’t tell you is that these tests represent a really small cycle time in comparison to what most fountains or other outdoor stone elements would face in a single winter. ASTM standards call for withstanding a 100 cycle freeze/thaw test.
Think about how many times that fountain could freeze and thaw in a single day if temperatures peak over freezing during the day and drop into the teens or below zero temperatures at night! It should also be noted that certain natural stones are also susceptible to damage from freezing in cold weather climates but they pose no concerns in warm weather climates.
Limestone is porous enough to absorb moisture and potentially cause damage due to freezing and thawing. Travertine has naturally occurring air pockets within the stone which could create structural issues if water were to collect in these recesses and freeze. Certain types of marble also have a potential for damage if they contain a large number of veins. For this reason Carved Stone Creations works mostly with Granite for outdoor stone applications where cold weather may be a concern.
Modern techniques for faux stone casting have created more believable textures and colors through the use of ground stone mixtures and pigments but there is no substitute for the beauty of the natural color, mineral deposits, veining, crystalline facets, and texture that natural stone provides. Hundreds of years of water, heat, and pressure combined give natural stone a unique composition and aesthetic that pigments can’t duplicate. Stones like limestone and sandstone which have uniform texture and color may be easy to simulate, but stones such as marbles, travertines, and onyx are difficult to replicate in a convincing manner.
It is also difficult to match the color of the faux finishing in the event that the cast concrete is damaged or needs to be cut down during installation for fitment. In addition to the durability concerns, casting does not yield the same level of detail that carved natural stone has. There’s only so much detail and complexity to what you can capture with a mold and the end product is only as good as the mold you make it from.
Our artisan sculptors are capable of capturing amazing detail in our sculptures due to the hardness and density of natural stone, especially in marble. Our sculptors can carve life-like hair or fur, clothing, facial features, and muscle tone from natural stone.
Cracks and chips in the cast stone surround as well.
Make the investment in natural stone and rest easy knowing that it will last a lifetime. Although cast stone may be a less costly alternative the disadvantages of its lesser durability and longevity can leave you disappointed. Don’t set yourself up for the frustration of having costly demolition and replacement down the road. Need some proof that Granite is a superior choice? We are so confident that our Granite outdoor fountains are capable of standing up to cold weather that we run our fountains into the freezing winter!
Subjecting a cast concrete fountain to this kind of constant freezing and thawing cycle would almost guarantee to cause it damage in only a winter’s time.
Our Granite fountains held up to this test just fine. Looking for a stone fountain or other custom exterior stonework for your home? Contact us today to see what we can do for you Carved Stone Creations is located in Kaukauna, WI and we are a reasonable drive away from many Midwest metro areas including Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Traverse City, Davenport, Des Moines, St. Louis, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Columbus, etc. Visit our showroom to see first hand what we can design for you.
Our convenient centralized location also means we can bring all of the tools and heavy equipment we need to tackle any installation job. We understand the affect our harsh Midwest winters can have on exterior stone work and we design and install architectural stonework like fountains, statues, exterior stone veneer, etc with those factors in mind. We’ll make sure the stone work we install for you stands up to the weather and the test of time! Outside of the Midwest? We can install there too. We have done work from New York to Florida to California as well.
Granite Estate Fountains in Winter
September 11, 2008
We allow our large estate outdoor water fountains to run late into the year… …because we can. Of course, each of our stone fountains is hand-crafted from solid blocks of granite, the most durable natural material available. The following video was taken on Nov. 10th outside our previous Wisconsin design center. As a true test of our granite outdoor fountains – the prolonged freeze means that layers of icicles have been building up for the past several weeks. Each drop of frozen water adds more weight to the Fountain’s structure but only granite fountains can bear this frozen winter spectacle! Click here to learn why granite stands up to freezing weather so well!
WARNING: Do not try this with just any fountain! More porous materials like the manufactured cast stone fountains will absorb water before freezing and will develop cracks causing your fountain to fail. We’re always replacing concrete fountains with granite tiered fountains or garden statuary fountains for just this reason – sometimes in as little as 2-5 years. If you would like to learn more about which kinds of fountains will work in your climate, check out this blog post, or call 1-866-759-1920 to speak directly with one of our fountain designers to discuss the available options for your custom granite outdoor fountain or estate fountain. Carved Stone Creations, Inc. 994 Parkview Road, Green Bay, WI 54304
