Contemporary Garden Decor: Garden Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decor: Garden Fountains and their Beginnings The dramatic or ornamental effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, in addition to delivering drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property. From the beginning, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Residents of cities, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains had to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. 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 the power of gravity. Serving as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. Roman fountains usually depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exercise his power over nature. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains built to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Urban fountains made at the end of the 19th century functioned only as decorative and celebratory ornaments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the power of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Modern fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
Keep Your Outdoor Water fountain Tidy
Keep Your Outdoor Water fountain Tidy Water fountains will last a long time with routine cleaning and maintenance. It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into outside fountains, so keeping it clean is important. On top of that, algae can be a concern, because sunshine hitting the water allows it to form quickly. To stay clear of this, take vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or sea salt and add directly into the water. Bleach can also be mixed into the water, but this is not an ideal option as it can harm birds or other animals.A thorough cleaning every three-four months is best for garden fountains.
To start with you must empty the water. Next use mild soap and a soft sponge to clean the interior of the reservoir. If there is intricate artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Make sure all the soap is totally washed off.
Calcium and fresh water organisms can get inside the pump, so you should disassemble it to get it truly clean. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it quicker to clean. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain components that will accumulate inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
And finally, make sure the water level is continuously full in order to keep your fountain running smoothly. If the water level slides below the pump’s intake level, it can damage the pump and cause it to burn out - something you don't want to happen!