This is the process we use to clean Fountains in the Oklahoma City metro area to make clients love them again.
We get calls all the time saying “my fountain is nasty-looking, can you all come and help us out”?
In this post, we will tell you the 10 steps we use to clean outdoor fountains. We will also tell you how how to clean algae from a fountain and how to keep fountain water clean.
How To Clean Outdoor Fountains In 10 Steps
- Fountain inspection – We like to know what we’re getting into before we just start cleaning. It’s also a great time to make sure everything’s working properly. During this step, we’ll check out the motor, pump, and any additions like lights.
- Remove any plants and decor – We don’t want to hurt anything accidentally, so we’ll carefully move put any plants and decor out of the way.
- Drain the water – We like to drain the water when cleaning an outdoor fountain. It allows us to clean more deeply, giving you a cleaner fountain.
- Take out the muck and debris – Now we get our hands dirty! We’ll take out leaves, sticks, muck, and anything else that doesn’t belong. A bucket with a mixture of water and mild soap paired with a non-abrasive sponge is great for cleaning the sides.
- Flush out any muck that’s hard to get to – This allows us to remove the muck and algae we couldn’t get off using our hands. Your fountain will be cleaner and have clearer water because of this step.
- Lightly rinse, pressure wash or vacuum to remove anything still stuck on the fountain
- Clean the pump – Sometimes backflushing isn’t enough to clean the pump. In this case, we’ll remove the pump’s faceplate, place the pump in a bucket, brush out the debris, and rinse it.
- Put the fountain parts back together
- Leave the fountain on at a trickle for the homeowner to turn off once it’s full
- Make sure everything works and is in order – This includes lights, transformers, etc.
How To Clean Algae From A Fountain
There are a couple of ways to clean algae from a fountain. You can scrape algae off, use a net to fish it out, or use chemicals.
You can use String Algae Buster (SAB) in the water. It takes out ammonia, nitrates, and other stuff algae feed on. It also makes the sides and bottom harder for algae to stick to.
Another product that works really well on outdoor fountains is Rock and Fountain Cleaner. Simply halt water flow for 10 minutes and apply the treatment to the desired area.
And Finally, one of the most popular products is Algaecide. Just pour it in and let it do it’s thing!
Aquatic plants are also a great way to prevent algae from growing.
How To Keep Outdoor Fountains Water Clean
One of the best ways to keep fountain water clean is by using aquatic plants and Beneficial Bacteria. Aquatic plants absorb the same nutrients and toxins that algae feed on. They aerate the water too, which helps with algae prevention. Plus, aquatic plants can make your backyard fountain look even more amazing!
Add Beneficial Bacteria – A little goes a long way toward keeping your water clean and your water feature healthy.
