Modern Garden Decoration: Outdoor Fountains and their Roots

From the beginning, outdoor fountains were simply meant to serve as functional elements. Inhabitants of cities, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains needed to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move down or jet high into the air. Artists thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and honor the artist responsible for creating it. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a significant role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to glorify the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the spot where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.
Urban fountains built at the end of the nineteenth served 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.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public areas and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Garden Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Garden Fountains Proper care and regular upkeep are important to the longevity of water fountains. A common problem with fountains is that they tend to gather dirt and debris, so it is vital that you keep it free from this. Another factor is that water that is exposed to sunlight is vulnerable to growing algae. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be dissolved into the water to eliminate this issue. Bleach can also be dissolved into the water, however this is not the ideal option because it can sicken birds or other animals.No more than 3-4 months should go by without an extensive cleaning of a fountain. Before you can start washing it you must drain out all of the water. Once it is empty, wash inside the reservoir with a gentle cleanser. If there are any tiny grooves, use a toothbrush to reach each and every spot. Any soap residue that remains on your fountain can harm it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
Calcium and fresh water organisms can 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. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain ingredients that will accumulate inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
One final trick for keeping your fountain in top working condition is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. Low water levels can damage the pump - and you don't want that!