Indoor Water Fountain - Use and Care

Following the subsequent guidelines on taking care of your fountain will insure that it remains functioning and beautiful for years to come.

Fountain Maintenance
Water fountains are simple to maintain. After installation, once in a while wiping it clean is all your fountain really requires. Attention should be paid in maintaining the water level to insure the proper functioning of the pump. The following is an outline of some proven methods to keep your fountain clean, functioning and beautiful.

If Your Fountain Contains:

Glass or Mirror
For cleaning a glass indoor fountain, it is best to clean it with white vinegar and water. If water doesn't seem to run smoothly over the glass, dry the surface thoroughly, and apply a thin layer of Jazz® Window Prep, available at many art supply stores.

Slate
If mineral deposits form on the slate face of your fountain, the best solved with CLR® (Calcium Lime Remover) and a soft bristled brush, by following the instructions on the bottle. Keep in mind that although the slate used in our fountains is of very high quality, excessive hard scrubbing could cause damage, so when necessary use care.

Pebbles
Follow the same guidelines recommended for slate. Never use any bleach or strong solvent as it will damage the material behind the pebbles.

Italian Marble
Italian marble can also be cared for similarly to slate, just use CLR or a combination of white vinegar and water, your fountain will look brand new.

Stainless Steel
Fountains with stainless steel components are basically maintenance free. The smooth and non-porous surface of stainless steel makes it difficult for any bacteria and other micro-organisms to do damage. Therefore these types of fountains have excellent resistance to corrosion. The most common annoyance with stainless steel fountains are fingerprints. To remove fingerprints from stainless steel, wipe clean with a damp sponge or microfiber cloth. Avoid coarse products, as they will leave scratches. Never use steel wool or scouring products. Furthermore, disinfectants with bleach can damage the surface of the stainless steel and eat away at the pump. If your stainless steel fountain develops scale, treating it with Protec® water treatment should remove it and prevent it from reoccurring.

Copper
Fountains that are fashioned with copper come in two ways, natural and powder coated. There are specific instructions for each type provided below that will help maintain your fountain and its beauty.

Powder Coating Finish
FountainCrafters.com copper fountains come standard with powder coating. Copper is prone to oxidizing. When copper surface is frequently exposed to water and air, it tends to take on an antique greenish tint called verdigris (pronounced ver-da-gree). This is the natural process that turned the Statue of Liberty green. A powder coat is added to copper fountains to avoid the tint and insuring a new-looking fountain for years after the original purchase. Powder coating is a clear, heat-baked finish and is applied to all of the surfaces containing copper. Please be aware that even with powder coating-all copper oxidizes. In creases where moisture and water collect, the copper will acquire a rosy color. This will not affect the functionality of your fountain and should stay minimal. Here are some tips to delay and minimize the tint while preserving your fountain's beauty: " Use a household furniture polish on a soft cloth for day-to-day maintenance.
" Apply Turtle Wax Hard Shell® wax about every three months to help the coating last.
" If white spots appear on the copper parts, they are calcium deposits and can be cleaned off with Calcium Lime Remover (CLR) ®.Make sure to wipe all cleaning substances off before refilling the fountain.
" Do not get any wax or furniture polish in the fountain water. It will ruin the pump.
" DO NOT USE COPPER CLEANER.

Natural Finish
Some copper fountains come with natural, uncoated copper. Most people simply let the copper's natural changes unfold, and enjoy the unique patterns that nature provides. Your climate, the water you use, and how you maintain it will all determine how quickly your fountain will verdigris. Should you not want to preserve the finish, simply do nothing and allow nature to perform its own permanent patina. Your copper will travel through different hues of oxidation but eventually will take on the verdigris quality of an old copper roof. If you would prefer to slow the development of the verdigris coloring, here are some tips: " Use a household furniture polish on a soft cloth for daily maintenance.
" Do NOT use Turtle Wax Hard Shell® or Calcium Lime Remover® on naturally finished copper fountains.
" Make sure to wipe all cleaning substances off before refilling the fountain.
" Do not get any furniture polish in the fountain water. It will ruin the pump.
" DO NOT USE COPPER CLEANER.

Regardless of a powder coating or naturally finished copper fountain, owners should NEVER use copper cleaner, or any other powerful solvent, to clean their fountains. These cleaners will completely remove the hand-painted patina, leaving raw copper.

Remember with all fountains to make sure that any runoff from cleaning (mineral deposits, vinegar, cleaner, etc) does not drip into the fountain's water supply.

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