- Do not run pump overnight or when you are not available to monitor the pump
- Lack of water will burn out the pump (generally, if a fountain runs for 8 hours at a time you will need to add more water)
- Always plug the pump into a properly grounded junction box with a GFI recepetacle
- Change water frequently
- Never allow water collected in your fountain to freeze
Cleaning and Maintenance
Clean glazed ceramic with a soft cloth. Clean concrete with a brush. Depending on the temperature and evaporation you may see a buildup of white residue on fountain surface from mineral content in the water supply. Fountains without a painted surface (including Antique Stains and Washes) may also experience effervescence as well as mineral deposits due to the natural occurrence of alkali content in the water. Do not use any abrasive that can damage the applied finish.
To prevent such buildup, we suggest the use of a product called Protec. It is recommended to use an Algaecide such as Fountec in the water, especially in hot weather to prevent algae’s growth. Algae can damage the fountain surface and can clog the pump causing it to overheat and burn out. Never use chlorine or bleach as an algaecide or cleaner. Chlorine can damage your pump and fountain surfaces.
Water Loss/Leaks
First fill your fountain to the brim. Do not operate the fountain. If your fountain is leaking, the water level in the fountain will be lower and the ground around the fountain will be wet. Before you perform this test, you should turn off any sprinklers around the fountain as not to confuse the area’s wetness. If no moisture, do you have pets? You could be losing water due to thirsty pets.
In some cases water clings to lips or spillways, causing water to fall erratically. Applying a small amount of clear silicone at those points where water is designed to fall could help water release from the lip in a continuous pour and reducing splash. Simply place a small amount of silicone on your finger and lightly apply by pulling down, creating an up-side-down teardrop for water to follow.
Water loss could be due to the standpipe, cordseal or drain plug being improperly installed. Remove & reinstall carefully checking that there are no deformed aspects of the standpipe/cordseal (as likely result from improper installation). Make sure the stand pipe and/or the drain plug have PVC tape around the threads before installing it.
On a dry surface, apply a thin layer of silicone, spreading & pressing with your finger so it reaches well around the stand pipe’s fitting and surrounding concrete. Let it dry & you should be good to go.
This will create an invisible coat that stops water from seeping through what seems to be a small gap between these two materials (Concrete/PVC or Plastic fitting).
Troubleshooting
- Is there enough water in the fountain?
- Is the plastic tubing kinked, blocking the water flow?
- Did the circuit breaker go off?
- Is there debris, leaves, mineral buildup, etc. blocking the intake to the pump?
- Is there an airlock in the pump?
- Is the propeller in the pump turning?
- Consult manufacturer’s directions for servicing supplied with the pump.