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!
Why Granite Is The Best Stone For Outdoor Fountains?
March 1, 2017
If you are considering to install outdoor fountains in your landscape this summer, you should take the material into consideration. While there are many stone types offered for fountains, granite is the best option.
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Granite Fountains
Granite is one of the most durable stones. The only substance harder than granite is diamond. Unlike other stone types, granite does not have a porous surface that traps water. Water trapped in porous stones can cause the stone fountain to crack and crumble as the water freezes and thaws.
You can enjoy the beauty of a granite fountain year round because they dont need to be covered up in the winter. Since granite is durable, your granite fountain won’t get damaged by harsh winter weather. Check out why granite fountains are perfect for every season.
Granite is also easy to care for. You can use diluted acid solutions to effortlessly clean up algae stains and hard water deposits on your fountain without damaging the stone. A granite fountain will stay in pristine condition for decades.
Other Natural Stone Fountains
Other natural stones like limestone, travertine, marble, Cantera, and sandstone can be used for fountains, too. However, these stone types are less durable than granite and can wear down faster. Limestone, travertine, marble, Cantera, and sandstone aren’t as dense as granite and will crumble and crack if they stay outdoors during freezing temperatures.
Cast Stone Fountains
Cast stone is a hand made material comprised of limestone cement, pigments, and crushed stone. The cement mixture is poured into a mold to make it look like a hand carved, natural stone fountain. You can learn here how to extend the life of your natural stone fountain.
Many people choose cast stone outdoor fountains for their landscape because of their similar look to natural stone fountains and lower price tags. However, many people who purchase cast stone fountains end up disappointed because the fountain deteriorates quickly.
Eventually, water will seep into the porous cement and expand, causing the fountain to fall apart. Cast stone fountains have been known to start deteriorating after only one to three seasons, actually making the cost of a granite fountain more economical over time.
Are you interested to get more info about granite? Contact with Carved Stone Creations and speak to one of the stone experts.
Indoor Fountain Design Inspiration
January 18, 2017
Even when it is cold out, you can still enjoy the relaxing effects of a fountain. Indoor fountain bring the tranquil sound of flowing water indoors. Just like our outdoor stone fountains, indoor fountains are available in a variety of styles, colors and sizes.
Marble Lion Wall Fountain
Pedestal Sphere Fountain
This six-foot-tall wall fountain will make a stunning impact no matter where it is placed in your home. This free-standing design is hand-carved from Cumulus White marble for a clean look. The water flows from the lion’s mouth into the basin. A decorative pedestal with scrolled carving details supports the basin.
This classic pedestal indoor fountain is handcarved from Giallo Fantasia granite and has a floating Absolute Black granite sphere. The sphere has carved details to resemble a globe. When this fountain is on, the sphere will float and spin on top of the pedestal. The sight is truly mesmerizing!
Cascading fountain
Two-Tier Pedestal Fountain
The charming old-world characteristics of this five-vessel fountain will catch anyone’s eye. The water flows from the top, down three smaller basins and into the large basin at the bottom. Place this fountain in your home to enjoy the relaxing sounds of trickling water.
This unique two-tier pedestal fountain features a floating sphere. The fountain is handcarved from a warm Butterscotch Onyx stone. The whole design is polished to a high shine, showing off the details. Water cascades down the finial and into the two basins below before recirculating.
Are you inspired to add a fountain in your home? Take a look at our ready-made fountain designs or contact us to start a custom, indoor fountain design.
What To Expect During The Custom Stone Fountain Design Process
January 8, 2017
Custom stone fountain design is our speciality. The design options are virtually endless. If you can imagine it, we can probably create it!
The photos in this blog are from a project we worked on from start to finish for Pinelawn Memorial Park on Long Island. The process outlined is typical for most custom fountain projects.
1. The process typically starts with the customer sharing a photo of a fountain they would like replaced or replicated. You can find your inspiration in our idea galleries or from photos of classical fountains from around the world.
The photos below are of a deteriorating concrete fountain. Pinelawn Memorial Park asked us to replicate this fountain in durable granite. Granite is the best option for outdoor fountains, especially in climates with a freeze/thaw cycle, but we can create fountains from a variety of stones. The before picture shows the concrete fountains wear and crumbling details.
2. After taking measurements, we put together a rough sketch of the new fountain and provide initial cost estimates.
3. To help us determine the appropriate scale for the fountain design, we request that customers send us a recent photo of the proposed fountain site. By giving us a known height or distance of an object in the photo and using a little Photoshop magic, we are able to place the proposed fountain design in the photo. At this stage, it is easier to determine if the custom stone fountain will be too large or too small for the area and scale it appropriately.
This is also the time where we play with stone color tones in the rendering to give a better representation of how different colors will look in relation to the home or other landscape elements. We can even show the customer physical stone samples to aid in color selection.
4. Once the design, size and stone color is finalized, the bid is reviewed for any significant changes from the original scope of work. Then we write up a formal sales order. If time or budget are an issue, we may suggest one of our in-stock fountain creations as an alternative.
5. When the order is confirmed and down payment received, we begin our CAD process to model the fountain from the ground up. We use 3-D engineering software to create a 3-D rendering of the fountain design. We submit the design for review before continuing.
For many fountain design companies, this is where their design process ends. For us, the 3-D rendering is just the beginning. After the overall design is approved, we break it down even further into individual parts. We create drawings for each piece to ensure the carving features are exactly where you want them and all functionality, including plumbing and drains, is in the proper spots.
Some stone fountains can weigh several thousand pounds. As a result, we’ve developed a unique lifting system designed right into each of the larger parts to make lifting the heavy fountain with the appropriate equipment easier.
6. Depending on the client and contractor’s involvement in the design process, we submit all detailed part drawings or just the main assembly drawing with dimensions for approval.
7. The approved drawings are then passed off to our skilled artisans who secure quarried blocks of stone, cut them to size, carve and hand finish the fountain’s details.
8. While carving is in progress, we follow up with additional drawings for the fountain’s plumbing, lighting and concrete slab layouts. Following this set of plans ensures the custom fountain will function as intended when it is installed.
9. We can also add additional fountain accessories to the design, including remote pump vaults, autofill systems, water treatment systems, nozzles, spray rings and lighting assemblies.
10. After the fountain is complete, final payment is due. Then, we arrange to have all of the fountain pieces delivered to the fountain site and install it.
After installation is complete, a granite fountain can be enjoyed for generations to come! If you are interested in learning more about our custom design process, please contact us.
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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.
3 Tiered Fountain Styles
July 6, 2016
From small to large and simple to intricate, tiered fountains are filled with endless beauty. These fountains vary in sizes and stone types and last for generations. Take a look at a few different tiered fountain styles for your landscape or garden:
Two-Tiered Fountain
The egg-dart self- contained two-tier fountain on the left is the definition of elegance! This fountain complements any landscape with its intricate acanthus carvings on the pedestal and base. Another two-tier fountain style is the mermaid fountain with a classical dolphin pedestal. This fountain is a tribute to the sea, and includes two mermaids with clam shell bowls. It is sure to bring unique beauty into your home with a mystical feel.
Three-Tier Fountains
You can never go wrong with a classic! This classical three-tier fountain pictured on the left is handcarved from Giallo Fantasia granite and gives a tropical feel with the pineapple resting on the top. The bubbling water gently flows down this fountain, leaving you feeling at peace. Another three-tier fountain option is the three-tier scalloped fountain. It is handcarved from Golden Cypress granite with stunning carvings on the rim of the fountain bowls.
Four-Tier Fountains
Making a grand statement in your garden just got a lot easier! The fountain pictured on the left is the four-tier acanthus fountain, which is featured in Giallo Fantasia Dark granite. This fountain features acanthus leaf carved details and a petal-like detail around the basins. The elaborate design highlights any garden or landscape feature and serves as a striking centerpoint. Another unique design is the tall four-tier fountain handcarved from our Giallo Fantasia R granite. This masterpiece includes classic scroll work carvings. It is paired with a 12” diameter fountain pool surround and also features a spray ring that creates a waterfall look that is one of a kind.
If you see a tiered fountain that has caught your eye, contact us today!
Sign up for our free Photoshop Presentation to see your dream fountain in your landscape. Simply send us a photo of your home or garden, then tell us your favorite fountain and we will put the two together for you!
3 Benefits of Granite Fountains
April 20, 2016
There are many benefits to having a granite fountain. Granite has been used for home design and landscaping features for decades. Compared to other fountain types, such as cast stone, granite is the way to go. Here are a few benefits of having granite fountains:
1. Durability
Granite is one of the most durable stones. Warm or cold, granite fountains will not crack like many limestones, Cantera, marble or cast stone fountains tend to do during a freeze and thaw cycles. If you live in a warm climate, a major advantage of these fountains is low maintenance. People often use chlorine or bleach to clean their fountains. These chemicals can cause a great deal of damage to fountains made from calcium-based stone types. For example, chlorine has been eat away limestone, which causes fountains to crack and break. These chemicals can’t damage the granite fountains. It’s longlasting, remain functional and appealing to the eye for years. Not only durability there are also more benefits of granite.
2. Beauty
Not only are granite fountains incredibly durable, but they are also very unique. One downfall of cast stone is that they all look similar and don’t have that special quality granite has. Cast stone water fountains are made of concrete poured into a mold. Every inch of granite has different patterns and qualities, which make our granite fountains a piece of art! As you can see in the photos below, both granite fountains are beautiful in their own way.
3. Color
Every piece of granite is one of a kind piece with its many eye-catching colors that shine. Take this granite twist fountain, for example. It is hand carved stone creation from our earth-tone Giallo Fantasia granite and serves as a beautiful addition to your landscaping.
While cast stone fountain colors fade over time, granite never loses its bright coloration and does not deteriorate as quickly. Granite’s beauty is endless!
If you are interested in a durable, unique granite fountain justContact us and make your home more beautiful.
Pondless Water Feature Installation
March 16, 2016
Pondless water feature fountains are a wonderful addition to any landscape. They dont require a visible pond or basin, but instead recirculates water through a hidden basin. The tranquil sound of water trickling down the fountain is relaxing as well as elegant. The process of installing a pondless water feature fountain is not as difficult as you may think when you have Carved Stone Creations at your side. We divide the process into a number of steps that are easy to follow and completed in a timely manner. The project were highlighting was one done in less than a day. We arrived for installation in the morning and were finished by the afternoon. Here are the steps to our pondless water feature fountain installation process:
First, you pick the location of where you want your beautiful pondless water feature to be installed. We begin by digging a hole for the basin to sit in. The hole has to be wide and deep enough to hold the vast supply of water.
Once the hole for the pondless water feature is dug, we make sure the base of the hole is flat to ensure the basin sits level. After this is completed, we place the pondless basin into the hole. The basin and the pump get installed along with the base of the outdoor fountain.
Then, we drape the outdoor granite fountain in a rubber fabric. The fabric is then spread out over the area of the fountain. The purpose of the fabric is to catch the overflowing water from the three-tiered outdoor granite fountain.
Once these steps are completed, a lift is used to place the first tier of the fountain onto the base. This is a very important step to ensure that the tier is placed level onto the granite base. To check for level, fill the bowl with water. Once water begins to flow over the scalloped edges, check to see that the water flows over all sides evenly. This can be adjusted by placing rigid plastic shims under the side where there is greatest water flow. This should be completed for each tier.
Once all of the tiers are put together, we turn on the fountain and let the water run for a while. This allows us to test the fountain to make sure the pondless basin returned the water correctly and everything is going according to plan.
After the fountain is tested, we begin the next step of adding stones around the fountain’s base to hide the rubber fabric. Once we finish this step, the intricate fountain is ready to use and show! As seen in the picture below, this was our completed project. Not only is the architecture of the three-tiered fountain beautiful, it adds elegance to the landscape! There are many benefits of pondless water fountains, such as saving space from creating a pond and minimal maintenance requirements. The beauty and the benefits of pondless water fountains make it difficult to turn one down for your own home.
Are you interested in a pondless water feature installation for your home? Contact us today!
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.
3 Pondless Water Feature Designs
September 16, 2015
All fountains need a basin to collect the water to be recirculated back through the fountain, but not all basins need to be visible. There are some pondless water feature styles that are better suited for a pondless basin instead of a visible basin. Pondless basins allow the water to overflow into the ground, creating a more natural look.
Take a look at three of our favorite pondless water feature designs:
Basalt Column
Pondless basins are perfect for fountains that have a more rustic look. The water flows over the surface of the natural rock finish on the basalt column fountain directly into the ground. The column fountain can be displayed on its own or in a group of other column fountains.
Granite Twist
Pondless basins are not just for rustic fountain styles, they work with contemporary style fountains as well. This fountain is a twisted column with sleek, polished sides. The water bubbles out of the fountain, down the sides and sinks into the ground.
Sitting Elephant
If your style is more whimsical, you will love this hand-carved elephant fountain. The elephant spits water out of its trunk and into a pond or the ground. If you choose to have the fountain flow into the ground, we recommend installing a pondless basin to catch and recirculate the water.
Shop our full fountain selection here. If you can not find the piece you are looking for, please contact us. We will help you design the perfect custom fountain for your home.
