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Green Acres Landscaping Resource Center

Fountain Maintenance and Care

Green Acres Landscaping and Masonry is committed to providing everything from small landscaping renovations to complete design and installation of larger residential or commercial landscape projects throughout Northern Virginia. Our company not only specializes in walkways, landscaping, walls and patios but we also pride ourselves on the construction of water features. Water features can add sophistication and tranquility to any property. Whether you own a small residence in Arlington VA or commercial business in Northern Virginia, Green Acres is committed to ensuring a functioning water feature. That is why the staff at Green Acres has put together these suggestions that will aide you in the care of your fountain.

To begin with, maintain proper water levels in your water feature can preserve the integrity of the pump. In situations where these exists too much water, the pump must work a lot harder. As a result, the motor on the pump can burn out resulting in no water flow. To avoid this from happening, Green Acres suggest you check the water level daily. We suggest adding small amounts of water on a daily basis rather than a large amount of water every few days. This provides for a gradual increase rather than a giant surplus of water which in turn will increase your chances of burning out your pump motor.

Going hand-in-hand with water levels is pump maintenance. To make sure your pump is working at its best capacity, it is imperative that you take apart the pump and soak its parts in a vinegar solution. This is aide in the breakdown of mineral deposits such as calcium as well as algae. This should be done around twice a month.

Calcium deposits and algae not only affect the pump but can have a serious affect on the body of the fountain. Calcium deposits, as well as algae, have the ability to destroy the ceramic or stone elements of your fountain. This can either come in the form of staining the material or causing a physical breakdown of the material. The best way to remove calcium deposits is to use solutions that you would use in your bathroom to remove calcium deposits. The common kitchen or bathroom cleaner should do the job. Algae can be avoided by positioning your fountain in a shaded area. Changing the water on a monthly basis will also help prevent algae growth. If algae is present in your fountain simple bleach, vinegar, or lemon juice solution can remove any unnecessary build up. Although most of the water that is supplied by our local municipalities comes from the same sources some water found in wells located in Arlington VA, Falls Church VA or Vienna VA may have higher levels of calcium.

With the fall/winter months quickly approaching the (NOVA) Northern Virginia region, the staff at Green Acres recommends that you store your fountain indoors. If this is not a possibility, completely drain the water from your fountain. Fill the fountain basin with a combination of straw and dirt. Encase the entire fountain with a tarp or other waterproof covering. Over the course of the fall/winter, make sure snow or ice do not accumulate on your fountain cover.

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Green Acres Landscaping is a full service landscape design company, serving both residential and commercial clients in the Northern Virginia area since 1992. Our experienced team is ready to help you with any landscaping project, large or small.

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