Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings

The primary purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs in the area. Used until the nineteenth century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their source of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from gravity. Designers thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and honor the designer responsible for building it. Roman fountains often depicted images of animals or heroes made of metal 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 extolled with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.

Urban fountains built at the end of the 19th century functioned only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the necessary drinking water. The creation of special water effects and the recycling of water were two things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.

Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the uses of modern-day fountains.

Installation and Maintenance of Garden Water fountains

Generally, when you purchase an outdoor wall fountain, it will come in an easy-to-use kit that will include all the needed information to install it properly. In the kit you are going to find all the needed elements: a submersible pump, hoses and basin, or reservoir. The basin can normally be concealed among your garden plants if it is not too big. Other than the regular cleaning, little servicing is required once your outdoor wall fountain is fitted.

Replenish and clean the water on a regular schedule. Debris such as branches, leaves or dirt should be cleared away quickly. In addition, your outdoor wall fountain should not be exposed to freezing winter temperatures. Bring your pump inside when the weather turns very cold and freezes the water so as to prevent any possible damage, such as cracking. Simply put, your outdoor fountain will be a part of your life for many years with the proper care and maintenance.