Winterizing Outdoor Water Fountains

Ensure that your outdoor fountain is safely tucked in for winter and ready to welcome spring flowers. Outdoor fountains are relatively low-maintenance overall, but as temperatures drop, they must be protected to avoid cracking, freezing, and premature pump failure. Safeguard the investment you have made in a garden or outdoor wall fountain by taking a few simple precautions to assure their long life in your garden. Drain Your Outdoor Fountain This is the most important thing you can do to avoid damage from cold. Do this at the same time you shut off underground sprinklers or outdoor faucets for winter. If Possible, Remove the Pump If the pump is easily accessible, remove it and clean out any dirt or algae that has accumulated before storing it inside for winter. Yearly (or more frequent) cleaning of the pump will help extend the life of this piece of equipment, which typically must be replaced every couple of years. Another tip: store your pump in a bucket of water to prevent the gaskets drying out.

Bringing Your Outdoor Fountain Indoors is Ideal

Yes, garden fountains are meant to stay outdoors, but freezing temperatures and water are not a good combination. Repeated freeze and thaw, snow, and rain collecting in your garden fountain can quickly cause serious cracks. (Hairline cracks are unavoidable and will not impair the functioning of your garden fountain.) Concrete and cast stone fountains are particularly vulnerable to cracking.

Smaller garden fountains, such as wall fountains, can be easily drained and stored in a garage or basement. Large outdoor fountains, if light enough to be moved, will stay cozy in a shed until spring. If your garden fountain has multiple tiers, try to at least remove the top tiers and store them indoors.

Water Fountain Covers are the Next Best Option

Many manufacturers make covers for outdoor fountains that fit snugly over your particular fountain's shape. Water fountain covers are waterproof, UV stabilized, and cinch tight with drawstrings at the bottom. A tarp or other protective cloth fastened securely around your outdoor water fountain could also be used. Before covering your outdoor water fountain, always lay burlap, rolled towels, or blankets in the fountain to absorb any condensation that could collect and freeze, causing damage over the winter.

Following these simple tips will keep your outdoor garden or wall fountain clean and problem-free, despite winter's fury.