If your water feature is close to resembling nature’s soup bowl, it’s likely due for a good cleaning. Don’t panic, you don’t have to become a water feature whisperer to keep things sparkling and purring along smoothly. Let’s discuss those things people tend to overlook—algae sabotage, cleaning hacks, and showing your pump some love. Learn more about how to keep your water features clean this summer.
How to Keep your Water Features Clean this Summer
Algae—The Party Crasher
Algae show up like it owns the place. One day, all looks serene, the next it’s covered in green, stringy algae over every surface. It doesn’t necessarily mean your setup is a lost cause—it just requires a bit of intervention.
Shading can help. If possible, set your water feature so it receives relief from direct sunlight. You can also add a couple of floating plants to the mix. It’ll keep things cooler and less appealing for algae to go wild.
You can use barley straw pellets or enzyme treatments specifically for backyard ponds and fountains. They don’t blast your water with toxic chemicals, and they accomplish gentle maintenance over time. This helps keep everything in balance.
Here’s a quirky, effective trick: pour a handful of pre-1982 copper pennies into the basin. The copper interferes with algae growth just enough to inhibit it. But, don’t get carried away—your water feature isn’t a penny fountain at the mall.
Your Pump’s not a Miracle Worker
Let’s discuss the unassuming little pump working in the background. It’s doing a tremendous job. But, no matter how good a pump is, it can’t battle these things all by itself:
- Grime
- Clogs
- Buildup
Turn it off first—don’t get adventurous and go nosing around while it’s running. Remove the pump and flush the intake and the filter. Pebbles, algae, or leaves may fill up the pump.
Clean it under a garden hose, open the housing (most snap open quickly), and clean anything slimy.
If your pump begins to sound like a rock-filled blender or ceases to push water, it signals it’s due for some attention. Sometimes, a good cleaning does the trick. Other times, it’s clamoring for a new impeller. Monitor it (and listen to it) throughout the summer; don’t just wait for it to fail.
Keep Your Water Features Clean: Establish a Summer Maintenance Routine You Can Stick To
Don’t let green goo stage a rebellion. Incorporate a few small tasks into your weekly backyard time. Skim the surface, peek at the pump, and see if your fish behave oddly (if you’ve got fish, that is).
Making short check-ins is much simpler than performing a frantic scrub-and-clean just before your Fourth of July bash.
Yes, water does evaporate quickly in the summertime. Before you spray it with the garden hose, let that water rest overnight in a bucket. Straight-hose water can be too harsh, particularly if your water feature includes plants or animals. Ensure your water level is correct to avoid a dry motor.
Your water feature has earned the right to shine this season. With a few easy maintenance habits, you can keep it from looking like a science experiment gone wrong.
Antler Country Landscaping Omaha
Antler Country Landscaping was incorporated in 1997 and over the years has grown to offer professional landscape services, lawn care, and outdoor living spaces. Our mission is to enhance your outdoor experience. Contact us to learn more about our Omaha landscaping services.