How to Clean and Maintain Your Bronze Fountains

Bronze fountains are fast proving to be reliable decorative and aesthetic solutions for your garden landscape. If you want to add elegance and sophistication to any space like your courtyard, home entrance or by the garden pool, you can do so with bronze water fountains. With the huge number of styles and designs available, you can use your bronze fountain to send beautiful sounds of water streaming down luscious tier bowls of water,  making your villa or home, the perfect tranquil oasis for your family and friends to engage their quality time in the garden. At TimelessBronze.com, we pride on bringing you bronze water fountains that have the capability of lasting for decades if not a century or more.

With proper care of your bronze fountains, you can be sure your fountain will be a hallmark of your property for years to come and it all comes down to taking the necessary steps and effort to keep your bronze fountains in good working condition, the steps of which are outlined further down as part of this blog post. Taking the required steps to maintain the care and beauty of your bronze fountains ensures that it will stay lasting for your garden many years to come.

Cleaning Your Bronze Water Fountains

The common concern of most homeowners is the frequency of cleaning needed for their bronze water fountains. How often do you clean your bronze fountains to ensure that it works optimally well all spring or summer long? There are many factors that affect the frequency of cleaning and this depends on the size of the fountain, the climate, and its exposure to sunlight. Smaller fountains may require cleaning every few weeks, while larger fountains can typically be cleaned

every few months. Sunlight also controls the cleaning process with fountains in shaded areas requiring less cleaning than those located in sunny areas. Regular maintenance helps prevent clogging and keeps your bronze fountain clean. It also prevents algae, dirt and mineral deposits from building up while keeping your pump from incurring damage. Another reason to clean your bronze fountains regularly is to prevent it from tarnishing and developing a natural greenish patina that comes about due to oxidation. Regular cleaning also ensures proper water flow and prolongs the life of your fountain, thereby avoiding costly repairs.

Turn Off Fountain Pump and Shut Off Power

1. Before cleaning, turn off the water pump and disconnect the power supply if it runs on electricity. This way, you will not damage the pump or the electrical components.
2. Drain all the water in the basin and remove any decorative stones which might be lying on the basin.
3. Assuming your fountain pump is disconnected, remove it and start cleaning it with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent soap. Do not use harsh chemicals when cleaning your pump as mild soap water is all you need for this task. Rinse it to remove any dirt, debris or algae scum that you may see using a soft bristled toothbrush. This will ensure that no clogs remain in the pump that could impede its operation. Scrub the dirt off the pump’s inlet and outlet areas.

Clean the Fountain Basins or Bowls

As with the fountain pump, continue to use mild soapy water to clean the fountain basins. You can use a soft cloth or sponge for this task as steel abrasives could damage your basins and remove the protective bronze patina finish that the fountain comes with. Proceed to gently scrub the fountain surfaces to remove all the dirt and grime as well as the algae which may have built up. Be sure to thoroughly clean your fountain off the grime and dirt as it could affect the way your fountain functions. When done, use a soft cloth or non-abrasive brush preferably a toothbrush to clear away the dirt on the basins and the water inlet or outlet areas. Rinse thoroughly and use a soft clean dry cloth to pat dry your fountain. Do not let the fountain dry on its own as the hard water may leave spots on the fountain.

In some instances, you might notice that your bronze fountain has developed a greenish residue film. This is due to oxidation which is the bronze natural patina that happens to all bronze statues and fountains over time. Some homeowners may like that natural greenish hue but if you are the type who wants the original colors of the fountain to show up, then we suggest a recognized bronze cleaner to bring out the original shine to your fountain. Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using commercial bronze cleaner to treat your bronze fountain as different cleaners have their own unique formulations. Sometimes however, it works better to use natural solutions to treat your bronze. For tougher cleaning, use a solution of equal parts of warm water and distilled white vinegar but be sure to rinse your fountain thoroughly and dry immediately afterwards. After all the cleaning is done and you are sure you have removed the greenish residue film on the fountain, use a soft cloth to polish your fountain with something like Trewax.

Refill the Fountain and Reconnect Pump

Once your bronze fountain is thoroughly cleaned and dried, refill the basin with clean water and reconnect the pump. Test the fountain to ensure that it’s working properly, and the water flows smoothly.

Tips for Long-Term Care and Maintenance

Bronze fountains are designed to last a lifetime and they can have a very long life span with proper long-term care. Always maintain your fountain regularly to keep it looking great and functioning well. Here’s what you can do to maintain and extend the life of your bronze fountain:

1. Clean your bronze fountain every 4-6 weeks if you live in a warm climate and also leave the fountain out in the sun because that could cause algae buildup due to photosynthesis. The maintenance may be less aggressive if your fountain is in the shade but generally, you need to clean it every 4-6 weeks to be safe from algae buildup if you leave the fountain in the sun.
2. Be sure to change the water regularly to avoid algae buildup as stale water can encourage algae to grow. This not only looks unsightly but may clog up the fountain pump. If you are not using your fountain, consider using a fountain cover or burlap to protect it from direct sunlight, leaves and rain water which would encourage algae buildup over time. A fountain cover is also needed to protect your fountain during the winter season as snow, ice and harsh temperatures could cause damage to the fountain’s finish and the pump.
3. Sometimes, you may find that the water is not running properly. This is often caused by a clogged fountain pump or the result of blocked water inlets. Please clean the basin and pump regularly to avoid this issue. Remove twigs and leaves as often as possible from the fountain basin to prevent algae buildup.
4. One of the most trying situations in the care of your fountain comes with algae buildup. Sometime the warm water and photosynthesis will lead to quick algae buildup. Consider using an algaecide to treat the water and prevent algae buildup. However, natural remedies like barley straw extract can be safer for maintaining clear water.
5. Introduce beneficial bacteria into your fountain’s water to help break down organic matter and naturally control algae growth. However, it is wise to also clean the fountain regularly to ensure that your fountain does not smell.
6. Regular cleaning and the application of a protective wax or sealant like Trewax will protect the fountain’s finish and prevent tarnish buildup thereby allowing the fountain to maintain long-term shine.

Conclusion

With the right amount of care and attention given to your fountain, you can be sure that your bronze water fountain will last a long time. You have spent money investing in a fountain and just need to follow certain essential cleaning and maintenance points outlined above  to keep your fountain working for you for a long time. What you should be looking for is to keep your fountain from accumulating algae buildup and to function optimally so as to add joy and years of service to your home.

TimelessBronze.com highlights a selection of beautiful bronze fountains for your home. Whether you are looking for tiered fountains or estate size fountains, we are sure our choice in bronze water fountains will add years of service to your home. Please email us at tion_art@yahoo.com for more information on our bronze water fountains.