Keeping Water Where it Belongs

Managing your outdoor fountain water use wisely. The element of water is naturally attractive to humans. We depend on it for survival, are awed by its visual beauty, and soothed by its sounds. Naturally, humans have created ingenious ways to bring water's sights and sounds intimately into our environment with outdoor garden fountains and wall fountains. But there is another side to water, as with any powerful element. If not handled wisely, it can cause damage. Not too much, not too little Garden and wall fountains use simple pumps to circulate water and create pleasing splashing sounds. The pump is a critical piece of equipment that must be regularly cleaned and kept submerged. The water level of outdoor fountains should be checked daily to make sure the pump is covered. Running a pump dry quickly burns it out. The further that water travels, the more splashing there will be, and the faster evaporation will occur. The heat of summer will speed the process even further, so stay vigilant in your replenishment of water. It is the number one priority for the smooth operation of your garden fountain or wall fountain.

Splish splash

Your outdoor or wall fountain may be located on a wall, near a seating area, on a table, or atop flooring that could be damaged by exuberantly splashing water. Protect the area around the outdoor fountain with a piece of clear quarter-inch Plexiglas custom cut at your local hardware store. Fitting it under and around the outdoor fountain will protect the flooring and tabletops from both condensation and pooling water.

Also reduce splashing by adjusting the pump to a lower setting or placing decorative rocks in the reservoir of your fountain. (Remember this may require you to fill the outdoor fountain more frequently.)

It's not easy being green ... is it?

Water is a precious resource, but most household outdoor fountains contain only a few gallons that are constantly recirculated. More garden fountains and birdbath fountains today use solar power, naturally available by simply placing them in a sunny spot in the garden. If you are lucky enough to have a pond, a solar fountain in the pond helps oxygenate the water, as well as attract birds.

Even if your outdoor fountain is large, it is doing double duty adding value and beauty to your property. By moving water, your outdoor fountain also provides natural cooling and humidity to those seated nearby.

Keeping the water clear

There is no getting around using some sort of chemicals to keep the water in your outdoor fountain clean and free of algae. Fortunately, there are now many non-toxic options available that are safe for fish and animals. If you have pets or kids, do a little research to see what would be a good option for you.

Taking good care of the water in your wall fountain or garden fountain will give you the best of all worlds - a soothing refuge that is both clean and green!