Outdoor Public Fountains Lost to History
Outdoor Public Fountains Lost to History The water from creeks and other sources was originally delivered to the citizens of nearby communities and cities by way of water fountains, whose design was largely practical, not artistic. In the years before electrical power, the spray of fountains was powered by gravity only, commonly using an aqueduct or water supply located far away in the nearby mountains. Striking and spectacular, prominent water fountains have been constructed as memorials in nearly all cultures. When you enjoy a fountain today, that is certainly not what the first water fountains looked like. Simple stone basins crafted from nearby rock were the first fountains, used for spiritual functions and drinking water. 2000 B.C. is when the earliest identified stone fountain basins were used. The first fountains used in ancient civilizations relied on gravity to manipulate the flow of water through the fountain. Drinking water was delivered by public fountains, long before fountains became decorative public statues, as striking as they are functional. Fountains with ornate decoration began to show up in Rome in approximately 6 BC, normally gods and wildlife, made with stone or bronze. The remarkable aqueducts of Rome delivered water to the incredible public fountains, many of which you can go see today.Keeping Your Fountain Clean
Keeping Your Fountain Clean To ensure that water fountains last a while, it is important to perform regular maintenance. It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into outside fountains, so keeping it clean is vital.
On top of that, algae can be a concern, as sun hitting the water enables it to form easily. To prevent this, there are some common ingredients that can be poured into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. There are those who prefer to use bleach, but that is dangerous to any animals that might drink or bathe in the water - so should therefore be avoided. No more than 3-4 months should go by without an extensive cleaning of a fountain. Before cleaning, all of the water must be taken out. Then use gentle and a soft sponge to clean the innner part of the reservoir. If there is detailed artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Any soap residue that remains on your fountain can harm it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
Make sure you get rid of any calcium or plankton by taking the pump apart and scrubbing the inside properly. Letting it soak in vinegar for a couple of hours first will make it much easier to clean. Mineral or rain water, versus tap water, is ideal in order to avoid any build-up of chemicals inside the pump.
One final tip for keeping your fountain in top working condition is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. Permitting the water level to get too low can cause damage to the pump - and you certainly do not want that!