How to Care for Your Outdoor Fountain During Winter Season
Reluctant to buy an outdoor fountain in fear of winter damages? Don't worry. There are smart ways to protect your water feature during the cold days. Read on below and discover how you can preserve this outdoor decor during that harshest time of the year.
Outdoor fountains are created to withstand various weather conditions. These water features are usually constructed with tough materials to last when the inevitable comes. While rain and hail won't be too much of a problem, a longstanding blanket of snow can easily affect its components. Before the freezing temperatures hit, it is best to prep up your outdoor fountain for its hibernation.
What makes it vulnerable? Water. The cold temperature will freeze the leftover water in the pump and will cause it to crack. In order to prevent this, follow these tips:
- Drain all the water out of your fountain before that great temperature change. Take the parts out and let it dry.
- Remove the pump. If possible, store it indoors during the entire winter season. This is a great opportunity for you to see what has accumulated in your fountain. Clean it thoroughly so that unwanted dirt, debris and algae don't linger around its parts during the season.
- Disassemble the fountain, if possible. This allows you to store it in parts and make cleaning much easier. Tiered fountains can easily be disassembled. If not, you need to transfer your water feature somewhere inside the home—perhaps in the garage or the shed.
- Cover your outdoor fountain with a special cover to wick the moisture out. Usually, these covers are made with UV stabilizers and waterproof materials. These are designed with drawstrings at the end to protect your decor. If these covers are not available, cover your fountain's basin and tiers with an absorbent fabric. This helps prevent water from getting in the fountain. Otherwise, it might seep through, expand and cause a crack on the surface.
- While regular resin fountains can be easier to manage, a heavy cast stone variant could be a bit more difficult. The concrete element in the cast stone material is porous, which makes it absorb water easily. Cold weather traps the water in these gaps, freezes it, and causes it to expand. Ideally, your cast stone outdoor fountain should be completely dried up and covered before the snow season.
- It is also suggested that reinforcing the fountain's basin helps avoid moisture from seeping into the material. You can use sealers to act as a protective layer for your fountain's surface. This ensures the integrity layer, strengthening it against the rough weather.
Don’t let the threats of the changing weather keep you from having your own outdoor fountain. Our tip: find the right variety that fits your lifestyle, as well as maintenance efforts.
Proper winterization can help you ensure that your decor will last for many years. Just follow these tips; with the right action and a great choice of products, you can keep your water feature running smoothly, year after year after year.
Stay tuned to this blog and discover many tips and tricks in maintaining your outdoor fountain.- Cristhy Calague
