Garden Fountains and Stuff
All of our fountains are made out of solid concrete.
Phone: 760-500-0193
Simple Steps to Keeping Your Garden Fountain Looking & Functioning at its Best
Outdoor Fountain Care 101
Keeping your outdoor fountain clean is just as important as maintaining the proper water level. Routinely wiping the inner bowl of your outdoor fountain with a non-abrasive cloth not only keeps it looking shiny and beautiful but also prevents the build-up of dirt and dust. Additionally, it is vital to remember to refill and clean your outdoor fountain pump on a regular basis as a dry pump will most likely result in the purchase of a new one.

Cleaning your Garden Fountain
Cleaning the bowl and pump is essential to the life of your garden fountain. The bowl should be emptied and lightly scrubbed with a toothbrush and dish detergent every one to three months. Before beginning your outdoor fountain cleaning, be sure and consult your manual in case your garden fountain requires a special cleaning method. For some garden fountains, algae additives and filtered water are needed to break down the build up of mold and calcium.

Outdoor Fountain Pump Maintenance
Before removing the pump, consult the manufacturer’s guide on proper cleaning and detaching methods. Once the pump is removed and opened, place it in a solution of vinegar for an easy-clean solution.
Preventing the Growth of Algae
Along with replacing the water on a monthly basis, you can also purchase an algae cleaner to decrease the growth of algae and keep the outdoor fountain’s water fresh. In addition, it is important to remember that algae, much like all growing organisms, experience increased growth when placed in well-lit areas. If algae continues to be a problem for you, you might want to consider moving your garden fountain to a shady area.

Appropriate Water Levels for Your Garden Fountain
As mentioned earlier, water levels are key to maintaining a healthy pump. The water level of your outdoor fountains should be checked daily, with small amounts of water added at each interval. Each month, you should drain and re-fill your outdoor fountain with fresh water to prevent stagnant water. Additionally, dry summer months can cause the water in your outdoor fountain’s bowl to evaporate more quickly, so be sure and check the water levels more frequently.

Let it Snow: Winter Outdoor Fountain Care
In seasonal climates and severe winter regions, outdoor fountains should be transported indoors to prevent cracking and freezing, especially marble garden fountains. Should removing the garden fountain from the outdoors prove to be too great of an undertaking, drain the outdoor fountain completely, dry it with a non-abrasive cloth and place a garden fountain cover over it as a protective shield from the weather.

Help Prevent Your Concrete Fountain From Cracking

Concrete Sealer for Outdoor Water Features

Outdoor water features bring a sense of peace to your backyard, adding relaxing sights and sounds to your space. Concrete water features, such as ponds, fountains or birdbaths, require some maintenance to keep them in top shape. Coating them with a concrete sealer can help extend their lives and maintain their beauty.

Purpose
Sealing concrete fountains serves two main purposes. First, it helps protect the concrete from water damage. Because concrete is porous, the water seeps into it over time and causes it to erode or crack in the winter when temperatures drop or in high heat for example the desert areas. The sealer also helps keep the concrete from fading or looking weathered. This is especially important if your water features are painted or stained.

Types of Sealers
Acrylic-based sealers dry fairly quickly, usually in less than a day, and they stay true to their clear-coat claims. But they need to be reapplied at least every two years. Solvent-based sealers tend to yellow slightly after they dry, which sometimes takes two to three days. The yellow tinge can make your water features appear older than they are or dull paint and stain colors. These sealers usually last several years without needing to be reapplied. Both types come in spray and liquid forms. If you're coating a pond or fountain that has fish, choose a sealant that is rated safe for aquatic life -- the label should clearly state whether it is safe.

Prepare Your Water Feature
Before you seal a water feature, you must first get it ready so the sealer will adhere properly. Drain all the water out of the basin. Clean the concrete thoroughly, even if it's painted. Scrub it with water and dish-washing liquid to remove dirt and grime, and get bleach after mold or mildew that's accumulated on the water feature. Let it dry for about two days -- time your cleaning and sealing on days when no rain is expected, preferably when the weather is warm.

How to Apply
Applying a concrete sealer is basically the same as using paint. Use a roller or paintbrush for liquid sealer, applying an even coat. Starting at the top and working down can help you control drips, which can leave uneven lines in the sealer. If you're using a spray-on sealer, start and the top and spray back and forth over the water feature, making sure you have an even layer across the entire piece. Sprays are best used on intricate pieces, such as ornate birdbaths, rather than pond basins. Let the sealant dry thoroughly before replacing the water. We highly recommend you water seal your Water Fountain, Bird Bath, Concrete Table, Pottery or Concrete Benches every 6 months.


Please note that every order placed online takes approximately 2 to 3 days to fabricate, detail, and color stain. As soon as we receive an online order we will begin the fabrication process. The customer needs to specify the color stain desired.  Please refer to the color selections page and provide the color stain number when you go through the ordering process or just send us an email under the contact us page. Please Note: Due to every item being fabricated and stained to the customers specification, there is no returns or refunds unless agreed by Garden Fountains and Stuff personnel. Due to the weight of our concrete products, all our products are fabricated in sections and the customer is fully responsible for the installation process. Garden fountains and stuff is not responsible for a customers inproper installation. For a fee we also offer delivery services. Please contact one of our sales representatives for a proper delivery quote. We will do our best to meet our customer’s satisfaction.