The Genesis Of Fountains
The Genesis Of Fountains A fountain, an amazing piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for a noteworthy effect. The primary purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to supply drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or shoot high into the air. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and memorialize the artist. Roman fountains often depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. To illustrate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. To show his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains made to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for community spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational gatherings.
The Positive Benefits of installing a wall fountain in Your Living Area
The Positive Benefits of installing a wall fountain in Your Living Area A good way to enhance the look of your outdoor living area is to add a wall water feature or an exterior garden fountain to your landscaping or garden layout. Any number of present-day designers and fountain craftsmen have found inspiration in the fountains and water features of the past. Therefore, in order to connect your home to previous times, add one these in your decor.
Among the many attributes of these beautiful garden water features is the water and moisture they discharge into the air which attracts birds and other wild life as well as helps to balance the ecosystem. Birds drawn to a fountain or bird bath often frighten off irritating flying invaders, for instance. Wall fountains are a good choice if your yard is small because they do not need much space as compared to a spouting or cascading fountain. Either a stand-alone fountain with an even back and an attached basin placed against a fence or a wall, or a wall-mounted style which is self-contained and hangs on a wall, are some of the possibilities from which you can choose. Adding a fountain to an existent wall requires that you add a fountain mask as well as a basin at the bottom to collect the water. Be sure to work with a specialist for this type of job since it is better not to do it yourself due to the intricate plumbing and masonry work needed.
Keeping Your Outdoor Fountain Clean
Keeping Your Outdoor Fountain Clean Water fountains will keep working a long time with scheduled cleaning and maintenance. Leaves, twigs, and insects very often find their way into fountains, so it is essential to keep yours free from such debris.
Another factor is that water that is exposed to sunlight is susceptible to growing algae. In order to prevent this, there are some simple ingredients that can be added into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. Bleach can also be dissolved into the water, but this is not the ideal option because it can sicken birds or other animals. No more than three-four months should go by without an extensive maintaining of a fountain. Before you can start washing it you need to empty out all of the water. As soon as it is empty, clean inside the reservoir with a gentle cleanser. If there are any tiny grooves, work with a toothbrush to get every spot. Do not leave any soap deposits in or on the fountain.
Calcium and fresh water organisms could get inside the pump, so you should disassemble it to get it truly clean. To make it less strenuous, soak it in vinegar for a while before cleaning. If you want to minimize build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water rather than tap water, as these don’t contain any elements that will stick to the inside of the pump.
And finally, make sure the water level is always full in order to keep your fountain operating smoothly. Allowing the water to go below the pump’s intake level, can cause serious damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!