Garden ornaments and water features add a touch of serenity to a landscaped garden, but not if they are lacking in maintenance. To learn how to maintain, store, and repair your fountains and water features to keep them running, read on.
Renew concrete fountains
- Delay the aging of concrete fountains by coating them with a concrete sealant that you can get at most DIY centers and hardware stores.
- If your fountain is badly stained and discolored, you can repaint it with an acrylic paint formulated for masonry.
- Two coats are usually enough to give it a new look.
- Or if you prefer the look of fresh concrete, spray your fountain with a pressure washer. The water pressure, by itself, is often enough to remove dirt and grime.
Put away fountains and garden ornaments
- If you live in a harsh climate and have the option of storing your fountain or birdbath indoors during the winter, do not hesitate to do so.
- Use layers of burlap between masonry units to prevent accidental scratches and chips.
- If you leave garden ornaments indoors, drain them well of all their water and cover them with a waterproof tarp.
Remove unsightly minerals that have accumulated in fountains
- The interior of a fountain is more vulnerable to mineral buildup due to splashing and evaporation.
- Specially formulated fountain cleaners and descalers will remove limescale as long as they are used at regular intervals to restore your fountain to its original splendor.
- These products can be purchased from an aquatic pond product dealer or online.
Use epoxy to repair damaged fountains
- A falling branch or unexpected freezing conditions can break or chip your fountain (or garden ornaments).
- Most cracks can be repaired with epoxy glue or, if chips are present, an epoxy-based repair product.
- Surfaces to be repointed must be clean and dry. Allow the repair to cure for at least 24 hours before returning the fountain to service.