Contemporary Garden Decor: Outdoor Fountains and their Roots

Pure functionality was the original role of fountains. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs in the area. Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move down or shoot high into the air. Serving as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. The creation of unique water effects and the recycling of water were 2 things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Large Outdoor Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Large Outdoor Fountains It is vital to carefully maintain water fountains for them to function optimally. It is essential to clean it out and take out any debris or foreign elements that might have fallen into or onto it. Additionally, anywhere light from the sun combines with still water, algae can appear. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be blended into the water to avoid this issue. 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.Every three-four months, garden fountains should have a serious cleaning. First off you must empty the water. When you have done this, scour inside the water reservoir with a gentle detergent. If there is intricate artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Do not leave any soap deposits in or on the fountain.
Make sure you get rid of any calcium or plankton by taking the pump apart and washing the inside thoroughly. 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 build up inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you notice that the level is too low. Allowing the water to drop below the pump’s intake level, can cause serious damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!