Maintenance Archives | Estate Fountains

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Category: Maintenance

Types of Water Fountain Pumps

The two main types of fountain pumps are submersible and non-submersible. Each water fountain pump serves certain advantages depending on the application and usage. 

Submersible Pumps

The submersible fountain pumps are designed to be fully submerged underwater  and need to be in order to keep them from overheating and burning up. These fountain pumps are directly placed into the fountain, pond vault, or in a skimmer box. The submersible pumps range from fifty to ten thousand gallons per hour (GPH). Submersible water fountains are easy to install and are an economic breakthrough for small fountains or ponds. 

Pumps for small fountains can handle up to one thousand gallons of water. Submersible pumps are quiet in their work and can also drain the ponds and fountains. If you are keeping fish, plants, or other aquatic life in your fountain, you should go for the model that does not use oil because seal breakage can pose severe risks for the organisms.

Non-submersible Pumps

Non-submersible pumps are efficient in energy consumption and are a reliable option. These pumps are to be installed in a dry location near the fountain. Typically in our fountain installations, a non-submersible pump is placed in an underground vault adjacent to the fountain and used in commercial installations, or in instances, you do NOT want a pump visible in the fountain pool, for hooligans to possible mess with or break, or children to trip over in wading in the fountain. 

Non-submersible pumps are in the open and can be louder when in action. These pumps are more complicated to implement and install than a submersible pump. Both kinds of pumps need to be cleaned/maintained during the fountain season though. And the easier thing about a submersible pump is that you can visually see the pump in the pool, and therefore know when it’s starting to get covered with chalky calcium scale on the outside of the pump. (As that is indicative of what’s also likely occurring INSIDE the pump, where it matters!) So, if it’s turning white on the outside of the pump – that’s your queue to take the pump out and clean it (inside and out) before the impeller seized up inside the armature (armature being the cup that the impeller spins in to push the water.) 

How Big You Should Go

The average working life for a small fountain pump is one to three years, but the working duration can be prolonged by upkeep and proper maintenance. (Vs. many of our larger pumps last much longer with good care though. The longest-lasting so far in one of our fountains was about 9 years before the pump had to be replaced.) The secret of having a perfect outdoor or indoor fountain is water quality and pump maintenance.  

Maintenance is different for indoor and outdoor water fountain pumps, and it is common sense to take care of the element that makes your fountain beautiful and worthy. Outdoor fountain pumps need periodic cleaning because they are more likely to be clogged with debris. Therefore, sand, dirt, leaves, grass, etc., should also be wiped regularly from the fountain to keep it clean. 

Similarly, indoor water fountain pumps don’t face harsh weather conditions, but those pumps also need cleaning over time, just based on the quality of water you are filling your fountain with. Depending on the style of the fountain, you may also need to adjust the noise levels to produce the most harmonious sounds coming from the water fountains.   

Caring for Fountain Pumps

We have mentioned some guidelines for water fountain maintenance:

Make sure your outdoor submersible fountain pump is completely submerged in water.  

Keep the pump clean from buildup and debris.  

Keep the water fountain running at all times if possible.  

Use distilled water for small fountains, as it makes maintenance easier.  

Clean your fountain pump regularly.  

How to Choose a Fountain Pump

Selecting the right size pump for your fountain involves many factors apart from the design or style. The factors that need to be considered for the correct fountain pump size are listed below:

Head Height

Maximum lift and head height rating are essential factors when sizing a pump. (Essentially the listed “head height” for a particular pump means that’s the max height it’ll pump water above the pump – before the water just stops moving completely.) 

To measure the needed head height rating of the fountain, track where the fountain pump rests if its housing unit if it isn’t at the fountain base. Measure the height from where the fountain pump rests to the top where the spout or finial would be pouring water – at its highest part. This height will help you determine which specific pump would be appropriate for your fountain, based on its listed “head height.” 

Controlling Water Flow

If you want the water to fall from the fountain spout gently, the pump head height should be just a bit taller than the vertical height of the fountain. Select the pump with a max height of several feet TALLER than the fountain finial for the intense gushing of water from the fountain spout

We can also use a valve or a flow reducer at the discharge point in the spout if you want to reduce the flow to just a trickle for a relaxing and attractive sound during social gatherings. The trickle produces a delightful sound from the water fountain, which might normally sound more like rushing water in a pounding rainstorm.  

Calculating the Water

If you are not sure about the water capacity of the fountain or pond, you’ll need to figure it out. Knowing your fountain’s gallon capacity will help you choose the ideal and the best-suited fountain pump for your fountain. 

First, measure the fountain’s length then multiply by the depth and width. Once you have the cubic inches/volume, divide that number by 231 to get the number of gallons of water in your pool. Or, if you would rather start with cubic feet, then multiply that number by 7.481 to get the number of gallons in your pool.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Pump 

Before purchasing any product, we consider some factors in determining the right product for our application. Below we have listed the factors to consider while purchasing a fountain pump that works best for you: 

Flow-rate

It is the effectiveness and efficiency of the fountain pump. Flow rate is how much time a water fountain pump takes to move a certain amount of water through your fountain. The amount is usually measured in gallons per hour here in the US, or gallons per minute, if it’s a very large/powerful pump. 

Pump Quality

What matters is the brand of the water fountain pump. You need to go through necessary surveys, reviews, and research to analyze and determine the quality of the fountain pump. In our eyes, if a pump has a 3 year or 5-year warranty, you are pretty assured it’ll last quite a bit longer than the pumps that only have 90 days or 1-year warranty… (Of course, this is assuming you maintain and clean the pump as needed during the fountain season, as having a dirty pump that seizes up & stops working is never a situation the pump manufacturer will warranty.)  

Conclusion

Pumps are much more than the majestic gurgling beasts they appear to be. They have the potential to help you optimize your fountain in terms of its beauty, sparkle, and water quality, saving you time and energy. 

A yard water fountain can add appeal and value to any home when it looks pristine. 

With busy schedules and tight budgets, it can become less of a priority to care for the fountain. In fact, the average homeowner spends an average of $1,204 a month on home costs. If you’re looking for ways to make your fountain maintenance quick and easy, check out these tips.

Take Care of the Pump

In order to prevent serious problems with your fountain, make sure you take care of the pump.

Most people notice their pump is the first thing that accumulates buildup and debris. Since the water flows through the filter via the pump, it can accumulate the most buildup. Making it a habit to clean the pump will prevent you from having to deal with excess buildup. To tend to the pump, all you have to do is remove it from the fountain and wipe it down with a clean sponge.

If the pump has small and tough to reach areas, you might need to use a toothbrush to ensure you take care of all the buildup. Keep in mind the pump also has to be completely submerged in water. Depending on the climate and region, your fountain might drain of water faster than expected.

Make sure you pay attention to how often your fountain runs out of water, so the pump always stays submerged.

Distilled water prevents excess algae buildup and gives you more time in between cleanings. Using distilled water might not be a problem for those with small fountains, however, large fountains might not be as easy.

If you have a large fountain, and distilled water is not an option, you can use other solutions to control the algae buildup. Using Chlorine tablets, bromine, salt or algaecide will control algae in large fountains.

The Type of Water You Use

Some fountain owners notice no matter how many times they clean their fountain, it’s always covered in algae. If you’re having this problem with your fountain, start using distilled water, or water that’s been “filtered” through your homes water softener system instead.

Distilled water prevents excess algae buildup and gives you more time in between cleanings. Using distilled water might not be a problem for those with small fountains, however, large fountains might not be as easy.

If you have a large fountain, and distilled water is not an option, you can use other solutions to control the algae buildup. Using a birdbath cleanser or fountain cleanser will control algae in large fountains.

Fountain Maintenance Tips: The Bottom Line

If you follow these tips, you will never feel burdened by fountain maintenance. Remember to keep in mind the material, the water, and the pump.

Looking for a new fountain for your home? Check out our complete fountain inventory.

A yard water fountain can add appeal and value to any home when it looks pristine. 

With busy schedules and tight budgets, it can become less of a priority to care for the fountain. In fact, the average homeowner spends an average of $1,204 a month on home costs. If you’re looking for ways to make your fountain maintenance quick and easy, check out these tips.

1. Take Care of the Pump

In order to prevent serious problems with your fountain, make sure you take care of the pump. 

Most people notice their pump is the first thing that accumulates buildup and debris. Since the water flows through the filter via the pump, it can accumulate the most buildup. Making it a habit to clean the pump will prevent you from having to deal with excess buildup. To tend to the pump, all you have to do is remove it from the fountain and wipe it down with a clean sponge.

If the pump has small and tough to reach areas, you might need to use a toothbrush to ensure you take care of all the buildup. Keep in mind the pump also has to be completely submerged in water. Depending on the climate and region, your fountain might drain of water faster than expected. 

Make sure you pay attention to how often your fountain runs out of water, so the pump always stays submerged.  

2. The Type of Water You Use

Some fountain owners notice no matter how many times they clean their fountain, it’s always covered in algae. If you’re having this problem with your fountain, start using distilled water, or at least water that has been routed through your homes filtration system first, rather than well water. 

Distilled water prevents excess algae buildup and gives you more time in between cleanings. Using distilled water might not be a problem for those with small fountains, however, large fountains might not be as easy.

If you have a large fountain, and distilled water is not an option, you can use other solutions to control the algae buildup. Using compressed chlorine tabs, birdbath cleanser or fountain cleanser will control algae in large fountains.

3. Pay Attention to the Material

Some fountain owners have a harder time keeping up with the maintenance of their fountain because they don’t tailor it to the material. 

If you want to simplify your fountain cleaning routine, you have to clean it according to the type of material.  For ceramic fountains, all you have to do is take a soft cloth or sponge and clean using water and soap. Copper fountains should be cleaned using a soft-cloth and high-quality furniture cleaner.  Porous stone fountains (like marble, limestone, travertine or concrete) need gentle cleansers, soft nylon brushes and a consistent maintenance plan. Stainless steel is a more delicate material and should be cleaned using a stainless steel cleaner. In order to prevent scratches, use a soft cloth (dry) and use gentle pressure.  Or, if you are lucky enough to own a granite fountain, your cleaning tasks will be MUCH easier than any other type of fountain option.

With granite fountains ONLY, the following cleaning processes can be used:

  • For example, if you get calcium or iron stains on granite, just using a 50/50 solution of muriatic acid/water (for whitish / chalky calcium scale) or 50/50 ferrous acid / water (for orangey / reddish iron stains) will melt the stain away like magic. (Or, you could use CLR or RidORust instead.) Then, once the stain is gone, sluice liberally with water to get rid of the acid remnants…
    • Before you accomplish that cleaning with the acid though, make sure it’s a non-windy day, and you have all of your skin covered with pants / sleeves / a face mask (as it’s very pungent), etc…
    • Vs, if used those same caustic chemicals on a more porous stone (like marble, limestone, travertine, cantera or concrete), it would eat the stone AND the stain like alka seltzer in a glass.
    • Therefore, to keep a porous item clean (even in a non-freeze/thaw climate) requires more consistent maintenance, elbow grease and gentle cleansers.
  • And dirt / algae / lichen can’t grab hold too well in a non-porous item either, so therefore honed or polished granite items can look brand new for their whole lifespan of 100’s of years.
    • Please note – even if you don’t clean your granite item for many years, it’s possible to be brought back to looking brand new in just a day’s time, using the acids mentioned above…

Fountain Maintenance Tips: The Bottom Line

If you follow these tips, you will never feel burdened by fountain maintenance. Remember to keep in mind the material, the water, and the pump. 

Looking for a new fountain for your home? Check out our complete fountain inventory.

There’s no denying the appeal of large outdoor water fountains, and they are becoming extremely popular with a vast segment of this country’s general population, just because of their broad, natural appeal. Few things look more attractive in your backyard than a stately and functional large garden fountain.

Some of the best designs of large outdoor fountains can quickly become the centerpiece of the entire backyard, drawing all attention to them from visitors and neighbors, as well as from your family members. Whether you’re in the planning stages of putting in a large outdoor water fountain with LED lights, or one without any lighting at all, there are some factors you should consider before you put cash on the counter to purchase one. Some of these considerations may be deal-breakers, while others are just essential details that you have to plan for.

Fountain location

One of the first things you should consider is the location where your extra large outdoor fountain will be placed. You might be tempted to locate it in the center of your backyard, but that’s not always the best solution, and there be may be other factors about your yard which need to be considered before deciding on a final location.

One thing you should make sure of is that the fountain is not placed against any other large object because you will need complete access to the fountain, on all sides, or around the entire circular perimeter. Another factor in deciding where your large outdoor water fountain should be placed in the proximity to electrical connections. You should either place the fountain close by an existing outdoor electrical connection, or you should be prepared to run a cable from an existing outlet to whatever location you have chosen for your fountain.

Lighting options

Most people who own a large outdoor garden fountain want it to be seen and enjoyed by everyone who visits, and possibly even everyone who walks by the house. If you plan to be in your backyard on some evenings to enjoy listening to your fountain and watching it, you should bear in mind that it will get dark eventually, and you’ll need some kind of lighting option that will emphasize and highlight your beautiful outdoor fountain.

In some cases, large outdoor water fountains come with their own lighting, but you should plan on installing a light source so that you can maximize the visibility of your garden fountain. Large outdoor fountains with LED lights have become a popular choice because of the efficiency and illuminating power of LED lights. This will be a personal preference, and you may opt for something straightforward, or you may opt for colored blinking lights.

You also should consider whether you want to make your lighting a subtle solution, or if you wish to illuminate the entire backyard with something brilliant. Keep in mind that the colored lights are not nearly as bright as white lights are, so if you intend to keep it subtle, colored lights are probably your best option.

Water source

Generally, during setup, an outdoor garden fountain will be hooked up to your home water supply, which means that you’ll have a continuous source of water, as long as it’s turned on inside the household. However, you may need to install a cutoff valve, so that you can stop the flow of water to the fountain when you want to. Otherwise, it will be running continuously along with your household water supply.

An excellent place to do this is right close to the fountain itself, so that for instance, when you’re ready to go inside for the evening, it will be a simple matter to shut the water off at the fountain and cause the water to stop flowing. You’ll also need to consider some connecting hose which would be placed between your household water supply and the garden fountain.

There are ways of making this connecting hose less conspicuous if you prefer not to have the connection visible. If that’s not an issue, you can run any garden hose between the house and the outdoor fountain to keep it supplied with water at all times.

Power source

Your large outdoor garden fountain will, of course, run on electricity, and that means you need a power source to keep it operating for as often and as long as you want. Some of the most common power sources for outdoor garden fountains are solar-powered energy sources and hard-wired energy sources. Hard-wired fountains get their source of energy from an electric power supply, and for this, you will probably have to engage the services of a licensed electrician.

It will be necessary to contract with one of these specialists because it will be considered by local authorities as an addition to your home’s electrical grid when you hard-wire a garden fountain to your power supply. If you choose to go the route where you power your garden fountain by solar energy, this can be a little easier and is considerably less technical. These kinds of fountains don’t need any electrical supply, since the solar panels provide all the power required to operate your outdoor garden fountain, including sufficient force to keep the pumps running indefinitely. Some garden fountains are constructed to work correctly with one kind of power source or another, so when you’re out browsing for ‘large outdoor 

fountains near me,’ pay attention to their power sources as well. Make sure they’re a good fit for your backyard, so you won’t have to go to tremendous extra expense to install some power source to keep your beautiful outdoor garden fountain operating.

Maintenance plan

This is not one of the most commonly remembered factors related to purchasing a large outdoor water fountain, but it is one of the most important. You should have a solid plan for regular maintenance on your outdoor water fountain because it can become clogged with dirt and debris much more quickly than any indoor fountain would.

It’s pretty easy for leaves and other material to be blown into your fountain, all of which can clog the water pump, and that will obstruct smooth water flow. Make sure someone is available regularly to shut the fountain off, pull the pump out of the water, and clean it up so that there are no obstructions. All other debris and obstruction should be removed from the fountain itself. With some regular attention to your fountain, it will continue to operate smoothly and provide many hours of enjoyment.

Natural stone water fountains are just one type of outdoor garden fountains or courtyard fountains, all of which add a striking and beautiful accent to your back yard or your patio, wherever you have it installed. After having made the commitment to installing one of these beautiful outdoor stone garden fountains, you certainly want to maintain it, so as to continue to derive the benefits of everything it brings to your outdoor setup, for a great many years. Below are listed some helpful guidelines you may want to use regarding the care and maintenance of your concrete garden fountain or your natural stone water fountain.

Treat the water in your fountain

Ideally, you should treat the water which circulates in your stone garden fountain once each week, with a solution that eliminates undesirable organisms, so as to prevent the proliferation of algae and to impede the buildup of minerals in the water. With the water being sanitized in this way, it will allow the fountain to function properly and will help to maintain its beautiful appearance. The exception to this tip would be if you have fish or any other kind of animals which are living in the water, and in that case, you would have to avoid chemical treatment and remove all algae in a manual fashion.

Ensure the water level is appropriate  

With stone garden fountains, it’s important to make sure that they’re always filled up to an appropriate level with the water, and you can determine what this level is by checking the specifications made available to you at purchase time. If you no longer have the documentation for your fountain model, you should be able to find the information online. If your fountain operates with too little water in its reservoir, that can cause damage to the motor, and your fountain will probably need some major repairs at some point.

Avoid harsh abrasives

Natural stone can be classified into two general categories according to its composition: siliceous stone or calcareous stone. Knowing the difference is critical when selecting cleaning products.

Calcareous stone is composed mainly of calcium carbonate. It is sensitive to acidic cleaning products and frequently requires different cleaning procedures than siliceous stone. Types of calcareous stone include: marble, travertine, limestone, and onyx. What may work on siliceous stone may not be suitable on calcareous surfaces.

Don’t use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine, or onyx surfaces. Eventually, you will probably notice there’s a buildup of white scale around your fountain, and you can remove this fairly easily by simply using a non-abrasive cleaning agent, a soft sponge, and some water. It’s best not to use any heavy-duty cleaning chemicals unless you have an extreme case of white scale buildup because these kinds of chemicals can do serious damage to the finish of your fountain. Even the sponges you use for any cleanup should be very soft, so as to avoid scratching the surface, as you would with something like steel wool.

But, if you have a Granite Fountain (siliceous stone) – you won’t have to worry about stuff like that – since granite itself is so impermeable to chemical attack, there’s not a lot that could hurt it. (This is the same reason it’s such a good stone to use for fountains in climates that get ice or snow during winter, as the water can’t get inside the stone and cause the frost damage that tends to occur over time with those softer, more porous stones.) Therefore, if you get calcium or iron stains on granite, just using a 50/50 solution of muratic acid/water (for calcium scale) or ferrous acid / water (for iron stains) will melt the stain away like magic. (Before you start, making sure you protect your skin / eyes though – and do the cleaning on a non-windy day.) Then, you just rinse it liberally with water, and your stone will look brand new again!

Occasionally drain the fountain

Unless you have a very large fountain which contains several hundred gallons of water, it’s a good idea to drain your fountain completely at least once a month, so as to prevent the buildup of unwanted debris and materials inside pipes and inside your fountain’s pump. If you don’t occasionally drain the water, it can acquire a foul smell because the same water keeps circulating over and over again through the system, and it begins to take on an unpleasant odor. It might be a little bit of a hassle to do this, but it’s worth it in terms of retaining fresh-smelling, clear water circulating through your fountain. If you do own one of the larger models of outdoor fountains, you can treat the water to eliminate any sour or foul odors which might be emitted.

Clean components periodically

For smaller-sized fountains, it might be worth your while to clean your outdoor natural stone fountain about every three to four months, because that will contribute greatly to its long life. A ‘thorough’ cleaning means taking it apart completely, and cleaning off each one of its components so that all debris buildup is removed, and the piece is restored to close to its original condition. This will also give you the chance to inspect each of those components, to see if they are in need of repair or more extreme cleaning operations. By taking on this kind of cleaning on a regular basis, you can be pretty confident that there won’t be any sudden or unexplained breakdowns of your fountain, and that you can count on it to operate effectively for the foreseeable future. For much larger fountains, you can still clean the visible, external pieces, but you may need to call on professional help to have the internal components cleaned satisfactorily.

Don’t let pests reside in your fountain

All the things you’ve heard about mosquitoes and other varmints proliferating around areas which provide water are true – and they love to make a stone garden fountain their home if you allow that to happen. You can prevent pests from taking over your fountain by taking a few precautions which will discourage them from nesting anywhere around your outdoor fountain. Even though the water in your fountain is constantly circulating, there will be a few spots where the water is relatively calm, and these are the locations which mosquitoes and other critters will set up shop, and begin to proliferate. To eradicate mosquitoes and other pests, you can use an insecticide which is plant-friendly, and does no damage at all to any plants in your garden area, while still being brutal on mosquitoes.

Winterize your fountain

If you live in a geographic region which experiences frost, ice or snow during winter season, you should take steps to protect your fountain through that season, so it will be ready to go in the spring. The best way to approach this for very small fountains is to completely disassemble your stone fountain and place all pieces in an area which will be out of the weather, and ideally at room temperature, so as to avoid any possible cracking damage. Of course, all water would need to be drained from the fountain before taking it apart and drying off all the components. For larger/heavier fountains, you obviously can’t take them apart and place the components in a heated garage, but these models are fairly impervious to winter weather anyway, as long as they are carved of granite. If so, all you need to do is pull out the drain plugs from bowls, drain the pool, then clean the pump and then place it in a bucket of water in a heated storage space until fair weather returns.

If your fountain is rather made of a more porous stone like marble, limestone, travertine, onyx, cantera or concrete – then you have a lot more work to do – to protect your investment against freeze/thaw damage each Fall. Please work with the original manufacturer of your fountain on the actual winterization process, but it’ll invariably include things like covering the fountain so water cannot get to it, sealing it, etc. (That’s why we only recommend granite fountains to people in that kind of climate, as they are so easy to maintain, and you don’t have to worry about it falling apart from freeze/thaw damage.)

Keeping stone garden fountains functional and looking great

It doesn’t require a lot of work to maintain your outdoor natural stone fountain, and it basically only amounts to keeping the water clean and keeping components of the system clear of debris and undesirable materials. If you feel like you don’t have time to manage this kind of regular cleaning, you can definitely find a professional to manage it for you. However you choose to keep your stone garden fountain functioning at its best and looking its best, it will be well worth your while to do so, in order to continue enjoying your beautiful outdoor fountain for years to come.

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. 

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