With the anticipation of winter, it’s important to prepare your outdoor fountain for freezing temperatures. Even though outdoor water fountains are made to withstand the elements, there are a few preventative measures you can take to ensure your fountain lasts for many seasons to come.

Here are a few tips to winterizing your outdoor fountain:

If possible, it’s always best to store your outdoor fountain in your garage or shed. With tiered fountains, you can sometimes disassemble it to store them more easily.

With larger fountains or heavy stone fountains, disassembling won’t be an option. All you will need to do is remove the pump. Be sure to remove any drain plugs or stoppers and ensure the openings are not in direct contact with the ground so water can flow freely. For large and heavy fountains, remember to be safe when removing the pieces, and ask a friend to help!

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 cleaning brush that can reach small areas.

Running warm water over the pump usually cleans most debris, algae and dirt out, as well as the tubing that connects the pump.

Using the water left in the fountain, scrub the outside of the fountain to remove algae and white scale buildup. After you’ve done this, you can empty all of the water from the fountain. If there is still buildup, mix 50% warm water and 50% white vinegar to remove it.

Once your fountain is clean, let all of the fountain pieces dry completely.

It’s recommended that you purchase a fountain cover or cover your fountain with some other protective cover. This will keep moisture out of your fountain. The cone shape also ensures that snow, rain, ice, and leaves will not stick to the surface. Make sure that your fountain is fully covered so water cannot get into the fountain.

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