The Garden Water Features
The Garden Water Features Villages and communities depended on functional water fountains to channel water for preparing food, bathing, and cleaning up from local sources like lakes, streams, or creeks. To produce water flow through a fountain until the end of the 1800’s, and produce a jet of water, mandated gravity and a water source such as a spring or reservoir, situated higher than the fountain.
The elegance and wonder of fountains make them appropriate for traditional monuments. The contemporary fountains of today bear little similarity to the very first water fountains. The first accepted water fountain was a rock basin carved that served as a container for drinking water and ceremonial purposes. Natural stone basins as fountains have been found from 2000 BC. Early fountains put to use in ancient civilizations relied on gravity to control the movement of water through the fountain. Drinking water was provided by public fountains, long before fountains became elaborate public statues, as attractive as they are practical. Animals, Gods, and religious figures dominated the very early ornate Roman fountains, beginning to show up in about 6 BC. Water for the community fountains of Rome was brought to the city via a complicated system of water aqueducts.
The Original Fountain Designers
The Original Fountain Designers Water feature designers were multi-talented individuals from the 16th to the later part of the 18th century, often working as architects, sculptors, artisans, engineers and highly educated scholars all in one person.
Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance artist, was renowned as an ingenious genius, inventor and scientific expert. The forces of nature inspired him to analyze the qualities and motion of water, and due to his fascination, he systematically documented his findings in his now celebrated notebooks. Combining inventiveness with hydraulic and horticultural abilities, early Italian water feature designers transformed private villa settings into ingenious water displays full of emblematic implications and natural wonder. The humanist Pirro Ligorio provided the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli and was recognized for his virtuosity in archeology, architecture and garden design. Other fountain engineers, masterminding the incredible water marbles, water features and water humor for the various mansions near Florence, were tried and tested in humanistic topics and classical scientific readings.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Garden Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Garden Fountains Water fountains will last a very long time with scheduled cleaning and maintenance.
Leaves, twigs, and bugs very often find their way into fountains, so it is vital to keep yours free from such things. Additionally, anywhere light from the sun mixes with still water, algae can form. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be dissolved into the water to avoid this problem. Another option is to blend bleach into the water, but this action can harm wild animals and so should really be avoided. A thorough cleaning every 3-4 months is best for garden fountains. Before you start cleaning, all of the water must be eliminated. Next use gentle and a soft sponge to clean the innner part of the reservoir. A useful tip is to use a toothbrush if there are little hard-to-reach spots. Make sure all the soap is totally cleaned off.
Calcium and fresh water organisms can get inside the pump, so you should disassemble it to get it truly clean. Soaking it in vinegar for a bit will make it easier to wash. Build-up can be a big hassle, so use mineral or rain water over tap water, when possible, to reduce this dilemma.
One final trick for keeping your fountain in top working shape is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. Allowing the water to reach below the pump’s intake level, can cause serious damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!
The Countless Construction Materials of Fountains
The Countless Construction Materials of Fountains While today’s garden fountains are made in a range of materials, most are made from metal. Those made from metals have clean lines and unique sculptural elements, and are versatile enough to fit any budget and decor. Your outdoor design should complement the style of your home.
One of the most common metals for sculptural garden fountains presently is copper. Copper is appropriate for many fountain styles, including tabletop and cascade water fountains, and can be placed inside or outside - making it a great option. Another benefit of copper fountains is they are versatile and come in a wide range of styles.
Also common, brass fountains generally have a more old-fashioned look to them versus their copper counterpart. Even though they are a bit old-fashioned, brass fountains are quite widespread because they often incorporate interesting artwork.
Perhaps the most contemporary of all metals is stainless steel. For an instant increase in the value and serenity of your garden, get one of the contemporary steel designs. As with any type of fountain, they are available in many sizes.
For people who want the visual appeal of a metal fountain but want a lighter weight and more affordable option, fiberglass is the answer. The cleaning of fiberglass water fountains is quite simple, so they have many merits that people appreciate.