Lawn Care: Winterizing Your Fountains and Waterfalls
Previously on the blog, we addressed winter care for your garden pond and what to do with plants and fish. This week, we expand on this topic and give tips for winterizing your fountains and waterfalls. Read on for all the details, brought to you by the experts at Nixa Lawn Service!
Related Post: Winter Care Advice for Your Water Feature
How to Winterize Your Fountain
While they come in all shapes and sizes, water fountains differ from ponds and waterfalls because they’re too shallow to run during winter without freezing over. If water is kept in outdoor fountains, the expansion from freezing can crack and damage them. Therefore, the first thing you want to do is cut the electricity to stop the water flow.
Next, for a smaller feature or birdbath, consider moving it indoors to store for the cold months. Assuming there are no plants or fish, simply drain, clean, and move it inside. If your fountain is too heavy to move, draining it is the most important thing you can do. Remove the pump, if possible, and clean it with a sponge to eliminate dirt and algae. Store the pump indoors where it will not freeze.
After you clean your fountain, we recommend covering it for the winter months outdoors. A simple waterproof tarp will suffice, as long as it is clear. Clear tarps are best because they let sunlight in and help keep mildew and algae from growing. Keeping your fountain clean and in a safe, dry spot will help make sure it’s ready for spring.
How to Winterize Your Waterfall
Your waterfall may be freestanding or it may be a part of your pond. Regardless of the setup, you can either choose to shut it off or keep the waterfall running. If you shut it off, simply turn off and remove the pump until springtime. It’s never a good idea to leave your pump in the pond if it’s not running because you risk damaging it. You can preserve your waterfall pump by storing it in a bucket of water where it won’t freeze.
Keeping the waterfall running properly will require some careful attention to make sure an ice dam does not form, as this could cause water to run out of the basin. You’ll also need to replace water loss from evaporation so the pump can continue to function properly.
While this upkeep does require a bit of extra effort, you’ll reap the rewards with beautiful patterns and ice formations that add texture and visual appeal to your winter waterfall feature. The decision to shut off the water or keep it running is up to you, but if you are unsure you can contact the pros at Nixa Lawn Service for advice.
Related Post: How to Winterize Your Outdoor Kitchen
Talk to the Professionals
Missouri winters often bring long periods of extremely cold temperatures. With proper care and protection, you can extend the longevity of your water feature and enjoy it for many years. At Nixa Lawn Service, we offer a unique variety of water features that our team of professionals will install. Whether it’s a fountain, waterfall, pond or stream, we will work with you to find the right feature for your property. For more information about our water features and other lawn care services, contact Nixa Lawn Service for a quote or call 417-724-0318.
