Indoor Fountains - Simple Maintenance Can Save Trouble

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Published in March 29th, 2008

Most fountains whether they are large floor fountains, wall fountains or just tabletop fountains do not require much maintenance. Nevertheless, a little tender loving care will prevent any major problems and extend your fountain’s life. Usually maintenance involves only cleaning the various parts of your fountain. You need to clean the bowl and decorative elements of the fountain, change and maintain the water level and clean the pump to keep it good working order. All of these are very simple.

Depending upon what your fountain is made of will dictate what cleaning material you want to use. For example, Stainless Steel fountains require very little cleaning. The smooth surface makes it difficult for foreign material and micro-organisms to survive. Any Stainless steel unlike other materials has extremely high resistance to corrosion. Water damage should never be a problem.

Copper fountains on the other hand require more attention. There are generally two types of copper products. Some copper fountains will have a clear protective coating while others will have natural copper finishes. You will need to clean each differently.

First remember to use only a soft cloth regardless of the type of copper finish. If your fountain has a clear coat finish, apply a soft wax product (e.g. Turtle Wax) every few months and you can use a standard furniture polish for more frequent cleaning. Never use a copper cleaner. This will damage the clear coat finish. Standing water on the copper parts will also eventually result in damage. Using tap water with large mineral content may cause deposits to build up on the copper parts. This is why I like to use distilled water. A good calcium lime remover will help get rid of the build ups. Even with all the cleaning you can expect to eventually see a rosy blush develop in certain places. Don’t worry. This will in no way effect the operation of the fountain.

If you have a natural copper finish, again a good household cleaner will do fine for routine cleaning. Do not use a copper cleaner. This will remove the patina if has been applied and result in a bright copper finish look. If this is what you want then fine. For most natural copper finishes, over time they will take on different hues from natural oxidation. Since copper is a natural material it will oxidize at different rates depending on its exposure air, moisture and sunlight.

For plastic or acrylic indoor fountains, the use of a good plastic polish is best. These can be found in most hardware stores. Do not use scouring compounds, gritty cloths or window cleaning fluids. These will result in scratches. If scratches due occur, a good polish will help remove them.

Maintaining the proper water level is important. For indoor fountains the humidity inside will have dramatic effect on how often water will need to be added. Refer to the instructions that came with your fountain for determining the proper water level. The water should be changed on a regular schedule - usually each time the fountain is cleaned.

Pumps should be cleaned on a regular basis as well. Often household dust, algae and other debris can find its way into the pump making it become noisy or stop operating completely. Most pumps are easy to clean. Refer to your indoor fountain instruction manual for specific directions.

With a little attention your indoor fountain of any type can be easily maintained. Proper maintenance will allow your fountain to operate without problems for years to come.

john stoner is the owner of patios and things.com a website featuring decorating tips and ideas for the home, patio, deck and garden. here you’ll find more information on both indoor and outdoor fountains.

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