To minimize winter damage to fountains and other stone products, it’s important to protect them properly before winter sets in. To keep your fountain in the best condition, drain your it before freezing temperatures arrive, usually mid to late October.   

Follow these easy steps:

Turn off the fountain and take it apart. In most cases, there is more than one piece to a fountain. Permanent or cast stone fountains typically cannot be disassembled, so all you will need to do is remove the pump. For large and heavy fountains, remember to be safe when removing the pieces and ask a friend to help. Be sure to remove any drain plugs or stoppers, and ensure the openings are no in direct contact with the ground so water can flow freely.

Cleaning the Pump. Remove the pump and tubing from the fountain. Gently, remove the back of the pump to clean the impeller. Use a toothbrush or another type of brush to get in small holes to clean out debris. Running warm water over the pump usually will clean most of this, as well as the tubing that connects the pump.

Scrub with Warm Water. Using the water left in the fountain, scrub the outside of the fountain to remove algae and white scale buildup. Then, empty all the water from the fountain. If there is still buildup, mix 50% warm water and 50% white vinegar to remove it.   
 
Dry before Storing. Once your fountain is clean, let all of the fountain pieces dry completely.  
 
Storing the Fountain. Store the fountain pieces, including the pump and tubing in the garage or somewhere dry. For a permanent fountain, cover it with a fountain cover, available at English Gardens. Fountain covers offer full winter protection and are water proof. The cone shape ensures that snow, rain, ice, leaves will not stick to the surface. Make sure that the fountain is fully covered so that water cannot get into the fountain.

For additional tips and product advice, visit your local English Gardens to speak with our experts.