Posts Tagged ‘Fountains’

Fall is here which means winter is right around the corner.   For those of us that live in one of these wonderful states that has four distinct seasons and winters get COLD, below freezing, getting ready for winter is a small more work.   We live for our gorgeous summers when we can delight in outdoor water fountains on our deck and in our gardens, spend time gardening, even getting new, fun garden statues that we can delight in every day.   But, before the deep freeze there are a few vital things you must do if you have outdoor fountains or garden statuary. Cast stone, fiberglass and ceramic are typical materials used in outdoor decor as they are durable materials and lightweight enough to handle without too much distress.   These materials are made to withstand the elements but if it gets wet, freezes and thaws it can crack.   Below is a “how to” guide to keeping your garden fountains and statuary crack free and gorgeous this winter so when spring comes you can start enjoying! If size permits simply drain your fountain and bring it to your garage or shed.   With tiered fountains you can sometimes disassemble them to store them.   With large outdoor fountains or heavy cast stone fountains this is not always possible so you will want to take other steps to winterize your fountain. Before the freezing weather comes drain all water out of your fountain.   This is the most vital thing you can do. Remove the fountain pump if possible and store it indoors.   This is a fantastic time clean your pump thoroughly so debris, algae and dirt don’t sit in and on the pump all winter. It is recommended that you buy a fountain cover for your garden statues or fountains.   This will keep moisture out.   Outdoor fountain covers are waterproofed and UV stabilized and have a drawstring at the bottom for ultimate protection.   They also come in many sizes so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that will fit the size of your fountain or statues. If you don’t plot to cover your outdoor fountain you must place some type of blankets, towels or other absorbant material in the basin of your fountain and the tiers.   Water must not get in the fountain and freeze as it will cause the fountain to crack.   Hopefully these tips help you prepare for winter.   A fountain cover will last you years and may be the best investment you can make to keep your garden fountains and statuary gorgeous for many years.

hi,
my pond just started to freeze over. i ordered and airation kit and deicer. do i turn off my pump and filters? thats what i thought i do but then i realized won’t the water just turn to sh$@ until spring?
thanx a lot!

Water features have a really huge part to play in any outside space and add an extra touch of beauty to your garden.   A pond can be hard to maintain and expensive to install so it sometimes makes sense to reckon a small smaller and add a water feature such as garden fountains.   Garden fountains have been made for many years and people have been enjoying the benefits in their gardens ever since.  If you have not yet learned the beauty of garden fountains then you really have been missing out.   They have the ability to bring a space to life with the gentle sounds of the running water and the additional wildlife which they attract.   If you live in a noisy area they can also mask any external noise and distract you from the unwanted sounds.   Visually they are attractive in any season, whether it is in the winter and you want something stunning to look at or in the summer you want to delight in the sounds of the water falling over the fountain, they are perfect all year round. Manufacturers of garden fountains are very highly skilled and different providers will produce unique pieces, so it depends on your tastes as to what you may like.   There are often masses of choice of colours, designs, styles and materials used.   Some of the materials include slate, stone, copper, glass and steel to name just a few, any design and type will look incredible when it is positioned in your garden and often they become even more attractive when they age over time.   If you are buying from a specialist garden fountains manufacturer then your buy will be supplied ready to use, all you need to do is find a suitable place for it to go and then add the water to the fountain.  The pumps inside the fountains generate the flow of water over the garden fountains and these are self contained so you will not see any hideous components. If you have concerns about the installation of the fountains then you need not worry.   Garden fountains like any of the other fountain types are always self contained and there is absolutely no need for you to dig holes, water channels or do any form of technical DIY.   There is no need for any form of water supply for the fountains, during the dry months you may need to add water to the fountain by use of a watering can or water bottle and during the winter months there may be no need depending on the rain levels.   For many the main attraction of the garden fountains is they are simple to install, simple to maintain and above all will impress your family and friends.   A gorgeous piece of modern garden art which is crafted superbly and will provide hours of relaxation is what the best garden fountains can give to you and your outside space.

he choice to buy outdoor water fountains must be taken carefully. Once you have bought a fountain, you need to reckon about installation, maintenance, and other issues. Some questions related to outdoor fountains are dealt with below. Size Of The PoolIf you plot to have a pool only for the fountain, and not for keeping fish, then fiberglass pools are a excellent start. If you want to combine the fountain pool’s function with that of a mini aquarium, you should use a plastic pool. A plastic pool is deeper and allows fish and plants to thrive. Types Of FountainsAn outdoor fountain is about aesthetics and functional utility. Any visitor to the city of Venice will vouch for the intricate Renaissance era fountains in the city. These fountains have a visual appeal that is not affected by the lack of water. These sculptures and pieces of art can function as standalone pieces in any art museum. On the other hand, certain fountains are built in such a way that that the waterworks are the art in them. The way water spouts, gushes, and flows builds the aesthetic identity of the fountain. LocationThe shape and design of outdoor water fountains determines their location. A fountain can be centrally located in the garden or yard, giving visitors a excellent view from all angles. Outdoor fountains that form part of a company’s theme should be located near the entrance. The fountain can stand on its own and dominate the scene, and add to the beauty of the surroundings, as long as you know how to place it right. How To Install The FountainInstallation depends on the design and size of the fountain. While smaller wall fountains in the yard are simple to install, it is advisable to bring in experts to install the fount. Make sure that the cord and pump are not visible after installation. Maintenance
Maintaining modern outdoor water fountains is simple. While many experts recommend the use of bleach to remove algae, you would need to check with the manufacturers if that might hurt the end of the fountain. Fountain pumps can run throughout the day, without stopping. So you do not have to worry about them wearing out. Cleaning the filter and wire mesh inside the pump is necessary. Change the water if the fountain does not have a water inlet. Huge outdoor fountains need large volumes of water, so it may not be possible to use distilled water. In such cases, use of water softening agents is recommended. Hard water can cause calcium stains on the surface, which can be hard to remove if not treated immediately. Outdoor fountains collect dirt and debris as well, so they should be cleaned often. SplashingIdeally, the diameter of the pool should be equal to the height of the water. This ensures that the water does not splash outside the pool. But, if for any reason, the pool is smaller, then you have to ensure that the part that is splashed upon can stand constant wetting. These outdoor fountain basics will help you select the best water feature for your home, office, or community center.
 

While the thought of making bamboo fountains may seem a bit challenging, doing so is surprisingly simple, and can requires only a few items available at any home improvement retailer like Home Depot or Lowe’s. In no time, you can build strikingly attractive bamboo fountains to grace your home’s interior for years. Parts For Your Bamboo Fountains Bamboo fountains can be built from parts easily obtained wither online or from a home garden or hardware supplier. The most vital components of bamboo fountains, or any fountains, for that matter, are the fountain pumps. Look for the fountain pumps’ gph, or gallon-per-hour-ratings on their boxes, and select one with a lower rating if you prefer a soothing flow of water to a more energetic one. You should next look for half-inch tubing with which to connect the pumps for your bamboo fountains. Because tubing is so inexpensive, you should go ahead and buy twice what you reckon you will really use, to be on the safe side. Then find a waterproof container. You can get an inexpensive flower pot made of waterproof terra cotta, but try to find ones with no drainage holes; otherwise you will have to seal them. Terra cotta containers come in several sizes, so you will have plenty to work with. Finally, choose your bamboo which is also available in several sizes. You should cet at least tow different sizes; three-quarter and two inch widths would be a excellent choice but whatever sizes you choose should be large enough to cover the water spouts on the pumps for your bamboo fountains. Get pieces of bamboo which are about three feet long, and make sure you have a hand saw to trim them as needed. You’ll also need raffia, decorative gravel or rocks, and wire mesh screen. Assembling Your Bamboo Fountains To assemble your bamboo fountains, start by sealing any drainage holes in your containers with cork covered with a waterproof adhesive. While that dries, trim your bamboo canes to lengths of about fifteen inches, and drill a hole into some of the canes so that they will hold the nozzles of your bamboo fountains’ pumps. Next, use raffia to lash enough pieces of bamboo together so that they will completely hide the pumps. Then place pieces of your wire mesh over the bases of your pumps, by cutting it in circles the diameter of the bases of your containers. Place the pumps into the pots, covering them with the gravel or rocks, and inserting the nozzle of the pumps into the bamboo canes which you have drilled. By tipping that bamboo cane into another one, you will cause the water to cascade and produce a waterfall. Pour your water in, and as your bamboo fountains come to life, you’ll get the first glimpse of the lasting beauty they will add to your home! Bamboo garden fountains are equally suited to interior or exterior d