Builders of the First Water Fountains
Builders of the First Water Fountains Multi-talented people, fountain designers from the 16th to the late 18th century often worked as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and cultivated scholars all in one person. Exemplifying the Renaissance skilled artist as a creative master, Leonardo da Vinci performed as an inventor and scientific guru.
The forces of nature inspired him to research the properties and movement of water, and due to his fascination, he carefully recorded his findings in his now famed notebooks. Coupling imaginativeness with hydraulic and gardening mastery, early Italian water fountain developers modified private villa settings into ingenious water displays full of symbolic implications and natural wonder. Known for his virtuosity in archeology, design and garden creations, Pirro Ligorio, the humanist, delivered the vision behind the wonders in Tivoli. For the many properties near Florence, other water feature developers were well versed in humanistic themes and classical technical texts, masterminding the extraordinary water marbles, water attributes and water antics.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Fountains It is essential to carefully maintain water fountains for them to perform properly. Leaves, twigs, and bugs very often find their way into fountains, so it is vital to keep yours free from such things. Another factor is that water that is subjected to sunlight is prone to growing algae. To stay clear of this, take vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or sea salt and add straight into the water. There are those who choose to use bleach, but that is hazardous to any animals that might drink or bathe in the water - so should therefore be avoided.
Every three-four months, garden fountains should have a good cleaning. Before you can start washing it you must drain out all of the water. When you have done this, scour inside the water reservoir with a gentle detergent. If there are any small grooves, use a toothbrush to get every spot. Do not leave any soap deposits in or on the fountain.
Some organisms and calcium deposits can get inside the pump, so it is advised to take it apart and clean it completely. Letting it soak in vinegar for a couple of hours first will make it much easier to clean. If you want to minimize build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water rather than tap water, as these don’t contain any ingredients that will stick to the inside of the pump.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you notice that the level is depleted. If the water level falls below the pump’s intake level, it can harm the pump and cause it to burn out - something you don't want to happen!