Keeping Your Fountain Clean
Keeping Your Fountain Clean Water fountains will last a long time with regular cleaning and maintenance. It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into open-air fountains, so keeping it clean is important. On top of that, algae can be a problem, because sunshine hitting the water enables it to form easily. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be blended into the water to prevent this problem. Another option is to stir bleach into the water, but this action can harm wild animals and so should really be avoided. Experts recommend that the typical garden fountain undergoes a thorough cleaning every 3-4 months. Before you can start cleaning it you should drain out all of the water. Once it is empty, clean inside the reservoir with a mild cleanser. A good tip is to use a toothbrush if there are tiny hard-to-reach spots. Any soap residue left on your fountain can damage it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
It is highly recommended taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and get rid of any plankton or calcium. Letting it soak in vinegar for several hours first will make it alot easier to clean. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain components that will build up inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
And finally, make sure the water level is consistently full in order to keep your fountain running smoothly. Allowing the water to go below the pump’s intake level, can cause severe damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!
The Earliest Public Water Fountains
The Earliest Public Water Fountains
As originally conceived, water fountains were designed to be practical, guiding water from streams or aqueducts to the citizens of cities and villages, where the water could be utilized for cooking, washing, and drinking. In the years before electricity, the spray of fountains was driven by gravity only, commonly using an aqueduct or water resource located far away in the nearby mountains. Commonly used as monuments and commemorative structures, water fountains have inspired men and women from all over the globe throughout the ages. The contemporary fountains of modern times bear little likeness to the first water fountains. Basic stone basins created from nearby rock were the original fountains, used for spiritual functions and drinking water. Stone basins are thought to have been first utilized around 2,000 BC. The first fountains put to use in ancient civilizations relied on gravity to manipulate the movement of water through the fountain. The placement of the fountains was influenced by the water source, which is why you’ll normally find them along reservoirs, canals, or rivers. Fountains with embellished Gods, mythological monsters, and animals began to appear in Rome in about 6 BC, crafted from natural stone and bronze. The City of Rome had an elaborate system of aqueducts that supplied the water for the countless fountains that were situated throughout the city.