Modern Garden Decor: Fountains and their Roots
Modern Garden Decor: Fountains and their Roots The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to complete your home.From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley meant to serve as functional elements. Residents of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains needed to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains functioned using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the designer who created it.
Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. Fountains played a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
The end of the 19th century saw the rise in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
These days, fountains decorate 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 Wall fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Wall fountains
It is essential to carefully maintain water fountains for them to work properly. Leaves, twigs, and insects often find their way into fountains, so it is essential to keep yours free from such debris. Also, algae tends to build up any place natural light meets water. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be blended into the water to prevent this problem. Some people opt for adding bleach into the water, but the drawback is that it harms wildlife - so it should be avoided. An extensive cleaning every 3-4 months is ideal for garden fountains. Before you can start cleaning it you need to drain out all of the water. When you have done this, scour inside the water reservoir with a gentle detergent. If there are any little grooves, work with a toothbrush to get every spot. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the inner surface of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
Make sure you get rid of any calcium or plankton by taking the pump apart and cleaning the inside properly. Soaking it in vinegar for a while will make it easier to scrub. 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 components that will stick to the inside of 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. Low water levels can ruin the pump - and you do not want that!