Warmer weather signals the time to start up the water features again, so that the soothing sounds of water can be fully enjoyed. Your clients want a water feature that looks great and works flawlessly. Keeping a water feature clean helps keep the pumps and filtration systems in good working condition. Here are landscape supply tips for keeping water features clean in Lancaster, PA.

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Fountains, ponds, waterfalls, reflecting pools, and water walls all need to be free from algae. Moving water will typically have less algae growth than still water, but that doesn’t mean it’s maintenance-free. 

Some recommendations include the use of bleach to clean a water feature and kill mold, mildew, and bacteria. However, bleach is caustic and since it must sit in the fountain for at least an hour to disinfect it, there’s the risk of pets or wild birds accidentally drinking the bleach water. For regular cleaning of well-maintained water features you can achieve good results with white vinegar.  

Fountains  

To clean a fountain, turn it off and if possible, remove the pump and tubing. Drain the fountain and empty out all water before cleaning. Prepare a mixture of mild detergent, white vinegar and warm water. This solution will clean algae and lime scale from hard water. Use a soft bristled brush or a nylon scrubber to remove algae and lime scale, being careful not to damage the fountain. Rinse the fountain with fresh water once the algae has been removed. Stubborn algae or lime scale can be removed with pure vinegar. Let the vinegar sit in the fountain for a few minutes before scrubbing. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the fountain after cleaning, and avoid getting vinegar on any nearby plants (since vinegar acts as a herbicide). Take the same precautions if you do use bleach, and be sure to wear protective eyewear and gloves while working with any chemicals.

Ponds  

Ponds may be more prone to algae blooms if they are in direct sunlight. To minimize algae blooms, add floating plants such as lotus and lilies, as well as shade plants around the pond to reduce direct sunlight. Regular cleaning with a skimmer will also help control algae.

When it’s time for a more thorough cleaning, the pond will need to be drained; if there are any fish, they will need to be caught and placed in temporary housing (usually, a large bucket will do). Use a pressure washer to remove most of the algae and slime—but not all! You want to leave some behind to reestablish a healthy pond ecosystem. Take the opportunity when the pond is empty to trim back any submerged or floating aquatic plants, as well as surrounding vegetation.

It may be necessary to add some hydrogen peroxide to the water (½ cup per 90 gallons of water is one recommendation) to freshen up the water and turn murky water into crystal clear water. If the pond contains fish, be sure to consult with a fish expert about this method to ensure the safety and health of your clients’ fish.

If your clients love the idea of a water feature but don’t want to deal with ongoing maintenance, you can reassure them that a water feature is actually less work than the lawn it might replace, and that the best way to keep the water feature sparkling clean is frequent skimming to remove any floating debris and algae that will affect the clarity of the water. That, plus scheduled cleaning will ensure that the water feature remains attractive all season long.

You can find everything you need to install, clean, and maintain a beautiful water feature at our landscape supply store. Our experts will be happy to assist you and share their knowledge, and help you choose the best equipment, materials, and supplies for beautiful fountains, ponds, waterfalls, and reflecting pools.

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