Select from Countless Exterior Wall Fountain Designs

There are two specific sorts of fountains you can buy: mounted and stand-alone. Little, self-contained mounted wall fountains can be hung on any surface. Wall fountains made of resin ( similar to stone) or fiberglass are normally light so they can be easily hung. Sizable free-standing wall fountains, commonly referred to as floor fountains, have their basins located on the floor and a smooth side leaning on a wall. Typically constructed of cast stone, this style of water feature is not limited in weight.

It is a good idea to incorporate a custom-made fountain into a new or existing wall, something often recommended by landscape experts. A expert mason is required to place the water basin against the wall and correctly install all the plumbing inside or behind the wall. You will need to incorporate a spout or fountain mask into the wall. A tailor-made wall fountain blends into the landscape instead of standing out because it was a later addition, which adds to a cohesive look.

Keep Your Large Outdoor Fountain Tidy

A complete cleaning every 3-4 months is recommended for garden fountains. The initial step is to get rid of all the water. Then use a soft rag and mild cleanser to scrub the inside. If there are any tiny grooves, grab a toothbrush to get every spot. Make sure all the soap is properly cleaned off.

Calcium and fresh water organisms could get inside the pump, so you should really disassemble it to get it truly clean. To make it less difficult, soak it in vinegar for several hours before cleaning. Mineral or rain water, versus tap water, is ideal in order to prevent any build-up of chemicals inside the pump.

Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you notice that the level is low. Allowing the water level to get too low can cause damage to the pump - and you certainly don't want that!

Contemporary Garden Decor: Outdoor Fountains and their Beginnings

From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply meant to serve as functional elements. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs nearby. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains functioned using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Acting as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to beautify their fountains. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.

Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.

Nowadays, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.