A water feature is not something that you can take for granted right after you buy it. Your money would be wasted if you abandoned your water feature and let it sit in your garden. Keeping water features clean and well-maintained will help you make sure that your investment lasts for many years.
Cleaning the water features does not need a lot of time or money because you can do it personally if you are free or hire someone to do the work for you. But if you decide to take care of them yourself, keep these easy guidelines in mind.
1. Turn the water pump off
The very first step on how to clean your bird bath fountain or any water feature is to turn off the water pump. Depending on the type of pump, you can turn it off in one of two methods. You’ll need to turn off the pump at the power source if it’s hardwired. Turn off the breaker that regulates the flow of electricity to the pump to do this. If the pump isn’t hardwired, you should be able to turn it off with a switch on the pump. After you’ve shut off the water pump, you can remove it and clean it according to the pump’s manufacturer’s recommendations.
2 Empty the water feature
If a drain spout is accessible, it can be used to empty the water feature. But not all water features have a drain plug. If that’s the case, you may either dip the water out with anything or tip the water feature to remove the water. If everything is already set, use a towel to soak up any residual water at the bottom of the water feature.
3. Spray and cleanse the area
Grab a bucket or a pail and pour warm water and a few drops of dishwashing soap. Scrub the interior and exterior of the water feature with a scrub brush. Metal scrubbers should not be used since they can harm various water features. If your water feature has little gaps, clean them with a toothbrush. Don’t forget to clean the water feature’s exterior.
4. Soak any lingering spots.
Dishwashing liquid and a scrub brush might not be enough to remove some stubborn stains. Those may have to be soaked. These stains can be treated with vinegar or bleach. One part bleach or vinegar to four parts water is the ratio for either vinegar or bleach. Before soaking any stains in this solution, test it on an inconspicuous area of the water feature. Let the chemical mixture rest for 15 minutes and check if it works.
5. Remove the stains
Scrub the stubborn spots with a scrubbing brush while wearing rubber gloves and protective goggles. Concentrate on the stains that are difficult to remove. If you need more scrubbing force, you can use a plastic mesh dish scrubber. Metal scrubbers should not be used because they can harm the fountain.
6. Rinse the fountain after it has been emptied.
It’s time to empty the fountain after you’ve cleaned the stains as much as possible. Rinse the water feature once it has been completely drained. If you had to clean it with bleach or vinegar, you’d have to rinse it several times. In that scenario, you’ll need to rinse the feature, drain it, and start over with the rinsing. When the water feature no longer smells like bleach or vinegar, you’ve finished rinsing it.
You can replace the water pump after the water feature is dry. Please make that you return it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Turn the pump off for now since it will burn out if there isn’t any water flowing through it. Begin filling the water feature with clean water after the water pump has been reinstalled. If you have a hard-line water supply, turn it back on. If you are all done, then you can now enjoy a clean and well-maintained water feature in your garden.
