Fall is here which means winter is right around the corner.  For those of us that live in one of these wonderful states that has four distinct seasons and winters get COLD, below freezing, getting ready for winter is a little more work.  We live for our beautiful summers when we can enjoy outdoor water fountains on our deck and in our gardens, spend time gardening, even getting new, fun garden statues that we can enjoy every day.  But, before the deep freeze there are a few important things you must do if you have outdoor fountains or garden statuary.

Cast stone, fiberglass and ceramic are typical materials used in outdoor decor as they are durable materials and lightweight enough to handle without too much trouble.  These materials are made to withstand the elements but if it gets wet, freezes and thaws it can *****.  Below is a “how to” guide to keeping your garden fountains and statuary ***** free and beautiful this winter so when spring comes you can start enjoying!

If size permits simply drain your fountain and bring it to your garage or shed.  With tiered fountains you can sometimes disassemble them to store them.  With large outdoor fountains or heavy cast stone fountains this is not always possible so you will want to take other steps to winterize your fountain.

Before the freezing weather comes drain all water out of your fountain.  This is the most important thing you can do. Remove the fountain pump if possible and store it indoors.  This is a great time clean your pump thoroughly so debris, algae and dirt don’t sit in and on the pump all winter. It is recommended that you purchase a fountain cover for your garden statues or fountains.  This will keep moisture out.  Outdoor fountain covers are waterproofed and UV stabilized and have a drawstring at the bottom for ultimate protection.  They also come in many sizes so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that will fit the size of your fountain or statues. If you don’t plan to cover your outdoor fountain you must put some type of blankets, towels or other absorbant material in the basin of your fountain and the tiers.  Water must not get in the fountain and freeze as it will cause the fountain to *****. 

Hopefully these tips help you prepare for winter.  A fountain cover will last you years and may be the best investment you can make to keep your garden fountains and statuary beautiful for many years.



By: Amber Liddell

About the Author:

Amber Liddell is resource for the website Serenityhealth.com, your one stop shop for any type of water fountains and water fountain information. You will find many outdoor fountains for your garden, wall fountains, tabletop fountains and even custom fountains. Visit Serenityhealth.com or call to talk to one of our water fountain experts.



Outdoor Garden Fountains

Outdoor water fountains have brought beauty and allure to many residential and commercial gardens. People of all ages love fountains, from adults to small infants as they are very restful and comforting to look at and hear. It hard to resist purchasing an outdoor fountain if one hopes to create a haven in the garden.

Outdoor Water Fountains

Deciding to purchase outdoor water fountains can be one of the best decisions that you have ever made. They can make any space look charming and welcoming. It is recommended that you use a fountain that has been designed for outdoors as they are strong enough to withstand the ravages of weather. Place it where it can be viewed without any obstructions and where it will not get damaged. If your kids want to play football in the garden, perhaps you can opt for a small wall mounted outdoor fountain that will be easier to manage and less space consuming than an outdoor pond fountain with figurines.

Be prepared to share outdoor water fountains with feathered friends and other animals that may visit your garden. It is necessary to use natural and safe products such as algae removers and other products that will keep your fountain clean and deposit free while not causing harm to the other creatures that may use the fountain.

These are easy to install and if you opt for a solar powered fountain, you need not worry about electric connections. Just fill it up with water and enjoy the sight and sounds. Fountains that are placed outdoors require frequent cleaning as falling leaves, twigs and other debris may clog the pump and cloud the water. You need to remove them at regular intervals and change the water frequently as it will then keep your fountain sparkling and smelling fresh.

To improve the life of the water pump, use an auto fill and drain system. If possible use filtered water and not direct tap water as it will keep your fountain water clean and fresh. Check for leaks and cracks periodically and use sealants to seal them or seek professional help in repair work. It is recommended that you drain the water and dry the pump before wrapping it in a protective wrapper before storing it away for the winter. Wrap the fountain with a tarpaulin and wait for the warm season when it will be operable again. Remember to drain the water as frozen water can expand causing your outdoor water fountains to break.

You can use accessories such as foggers, decorative plants- both real and artificial, stones, and lighting to create a dramatic effect. They are used by architects, interior designers and landscape artists to create gardens that tempt us to stay for just a little bit longer than one intends to. Fountains are good for our health too, they help us stay calm, humidify the atmosphere and their splendour means a visual treat. There are many online firms that offer outdoor water fountains for sale, and you can compare rates and features right from the comfort of your home.



By: Davis Marco

About the Author:

Apurva writes for Ethan Paul Fountains, a leading retailer of outdoor water fountains and wall mounted fountains. For more information about different types of fountains visit www.soothingwalls.com.



Indoor Garden Fountains

An outdoor fountain’s pump is its most important feature. Without it, water won’t move – it’s that simple. If you own a high quality garden fountain for long enough, you’ll eventually need to be replace its pump. There are a lot of different models out there; some of them have mysterious specifications. What’s a fountain pump’s “head?” How do you know what kind of pump works on your garden fountain? The fountain experts at Serenity Health have provided the following rough guide to outdoor water fountain pumps.

Does the Fountain Pump Fit?

Before you do any shopping measure the dimensions of your fountain’s basin in the location your pump is supposed to sit. Some pumps are too big or awkward to fit in certain outdoor fountains.

Pick WT, Not WP

The most important factor in choosing a reliable outdoor fountain pump is to check whether it’s actually safe to use outdoors. The pump has use a heavy duty, three-pronged outlet. Pumps with this capacity are called WT pumps. The WT designation appears beside their model numbers. Don’t confuse this with a WP pump. WP pumps only need two pronged outlets; they’re not robust enough to support an outdoor fountain’s electrical needs. WTs can be used both indoors and out, as long as they’re plugged into a three-pronged outlet.

Find Your Pump’s Head

In addition to measuring basin space to ensure a proper fit, you need to measure your outdoor fountain to tell how far the water needs to travel. This defines how much work your pump needs to do to function properly. Keep this information handy when you shop for a new fountain pump. When you’re browsing for pumps, look at the listed “head.” This measures how high the pump will push water. The height should exceed the fountain’s height to ensure adequate water flow. This isn’t just important to make sure the fountain looks nice. If your fountain pump doesn’t have enough head to reliably push water over the required height you’ll get inconstant flow back into its basin. This changes water pressure around the pump and sometimes even forces to **** in air, which will damage the pump over time.

Maintain Before You Replace

Buying a new outdoor pump can be a pain, so the best solution is to maintain your current pump for as long as possible. The keys to making a pump last are to keep in immersed in water while it’s on, protect it from bad weather, keep in running continuously whenever you can, and make sure it’s free of grit and debris. If you do all of this and own a high quality pump, you won’t have to replace it very often.

Keep Your Information Handy

The best thing you can do to make pump maintenance and replacement a painless process is to collect all of the information you need in advance. Some fountains come with instructions that explain exactly what you need to do, but failing that, note the pump model as soon as you get your fountain, measure the available basin space for it and check how much head the pump needs to keep a smooth cycle running. Once you know this, picking the right pump – or keeping an existing pump in good shape – is dead simple.



By: Chris Gill

About the Author:

Serenity Health is a leading online merchant of relaxing health, gardening and décor products, including outdoor water fountains, indoor fountains and fountain maintenance supplies.



Outdoor Water Fountains