Fountainful

Cleaning & Care Guide

Everything you need to keep your water feature looking its best — year after year. The tips on this page are for general guidance. Always follow any artist-provided care instructions that may arrive with your order.

Cast Stone Concrete

High-density cast stone concrete is built to last, but winter freeze-thaw cycles can still damage pieces that aren't properly protected. Any piece that can hold water, snow, or ice (fountain tops/bowls, birdbaths, planters, saucers) — or that sits directly on the ground (statues, fountain/birdbath bases, planter and bench legs) — is at risk if proper steps aren't taken.

Quick Tips

Do not fill a fountain or birdbath with cold water when its surface is hot to the touch.
Never use chlorine, bleach, or pool chemicals on cast stone concrete.
Hard water should be filtered before filling your fountain. Dark brown or black spots — sometimes mistaken for mold — can form from a reaction between mineral-rich water and the natural raw materials in cast stone. Use a hose attachment pre-filter to soften your water. In areas with severe hard water, add a descaler like ProTec.
Continuously running a fountain pump helps prevent mineral buildup on the fountain's surface.
Wipe down fountain or birdbath bowls as needed every 1–3 months. Do not pressure wash.

🥬 Catch algae early!

Algae buildup can adhere to and lift from the surface, causing stain to peel. It can develop and bond relatively quickly depending on your environment, water conditions, sunlight exposure, and maintenance routine. Environmental and maintenance-related issues are not covered under most warranties.

Prevention

  • Ensure proper water circulation at all times
  • Routine weekly inspections of the fountain
  • Gentle cleaning of any early algae
  • Maintaining balanced water chemistry — we recommend Fountec
🔁 Persistent algae? Try a full reset

If you live in a region prone to persistent algae blooms and nothing seems to be keeping it at bay, a complete reset may be the answer. Here's what we recommend:

  • Drain the fountain completely.
  • Scrub every surface with a diluted Dawn dish soap solution and a soft-bristled brush — including hard-to-reach areas where algae can hide and re-establish.
  • Rinse thoroughly, then refill with fresh water.
  • Immediately treat with both Fountec and Algae D-Solv to suppress any remaining algae and prevent it from re-establishing.

After a reset, maintain weekly dosing and inspect the fountain regularly. Persistent blooms are often tied to sun exposure, stagnant water, or imbalanced water chemistry — address the root cause for lasting results.

Pro Tip: When winterizing with a pool/basin, after removing the drainage plug, place something absorbent (like a comforter) inside the basin to absorb moisture, then cover with a tarp.

Planters & Statuary

If a planter is left planted outdoors in winter, raise it off the ground to prevent freezing to the ground (cold-weather states).
Pro Tip: Use two wood strips of an appropriate size to raise planters or statuary — just don't block any drainage holes.
Read additional birdbath guidance from the National Audubon Society →

GFRC

Resources & Guides

PDF Guide All About GFRC + Care Guidance
PDF Guide Touch-Up Instructions (Cast Stone & GFRC)

Terra Cotta / Glazed

Terra cotta and glazed earthenware are handmade from natural clay. While high-fired to help with frost resistance, proper care is still essential in freeze-thaw climates to help prevent cracking.

Quick Tips

Clean with either mild soapy water or specialized products such as Windex®. Mild, soapy water is recommended for terra cotta planters.
Spray down the surface and use a lint-free cloth or sponge to wipe the surface.
⚠️ Do not pressure wash, use alcohol-based cleaners, apply corrosive cleaners, or clean with anything abrasive.

Cold Weather States

Proper planning is essential in climates with freeze-thaw cycles to help prevent the planter from breaking.
Pro Tip: The simplest way to protect a planter in winter is to store it in a dry place out of the elements. If it's to be left outdoors, follow the guidance on page 1 of the General Care & Winterization document above.

Blue Thumb / Subsurface Basin

Quick Tips – Ponds

Long, hot summer days can quickly push a pond out of balance. Direct sunlight helps algae grow faster, while warm water holds less oxygen — add excess nutrients, fish waste, decaying leaves, weak circulation, or bottom sludge, and a clear pond can turn green surprisingly quickly.
Summer Pond Checklist
Keep the pump and filtration running
Clean skimmer baskets and filter media
Add aeration to support oxygen levels
Remove leaves and organic debris
Reduce sludge accumulating on the bottom
Use beneficial bacteria consistently
Avoid overfeeding fish
Check the UV clarifier, bulb, and quartz sleeve
Add aquatic plants or shade where appropriate
Green or cloudy water is caused by tiny algae cells suspended throughout the pond. Check your UV clarifier, filtration, circulation, and maintenance routine — Algae D-Solv can provide targeted control when used according to its label.
Pro Tip: Aeration is especially important during hot weather — it supports fish, beneficial bacteria, and the pond's natural ability to break down organic waste.

Pump Care

Quick Tips

⚠️ Do not constantly turn the pump on and off. Fountain pumps are designed to run continuously. Turn off only when cleaning or when away for several days. Still water also attracts insects and encourages algae growth.
Keep the pump submerged in water at all times and add water to your fountain as needed for your specific location, climate, and fountain size.
Clean the pump every 1–3 months. Detach it and soak in a solution of vinegar and water; use a toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas. Rinse thoroughly before returning it to the fountain.
Pro Tip: Place your pump inside a pump sock / mesh filter bag to prevent debris from clogging it.

Winter Storage

Bring the pump indoors for winter. For best care, disassemble and clean the pump, then store it submerged in a bucket of water in an area that will not freeze — this keeps seals wet and the impeller from sticking.
Pro Tip: If you choose to leave a pump in a fountain over winter, it must be completely dry and insulated with plastic bags and a towel to remain dry through the season.

Steel Finishes

Weathering steel finishes — whether COR-TEN or Iron Oxide Patina — are designed to develop a natural, protective surface over time. The color change and light rust-like texture are expected, not a defect, and they help protect the material underneath for years to come.

Resources & Guides

The Outdoor Plus (COR-TEN)

PDF Guide COR-TEN Steel Care & Aging Guide

Fire Pit Art (Iron Oxide Patina)

PDF Guide General Notices & Warnings

Quick Tips

The Outdoor Plus — COR-TEN

The surface has a fine, powdery rust layer that can stain skin and clothing — avoid grabbing or sitting on it.
If scuffed or scratched, leave it alone and let the steel self-heal, or lightly smooth it out with a kitchen-grade Scotch-Brite pad.
Pro Tip: Rain can carry rust particles down the sides and stain nearby surfaces — this residue can be power-washed off surrounding surfaces (not the COR-TEN itself).

Fire Pit Art — Iron Oxide Patina

The patina matures into a dark mahogany after the first fire — keep wet leaves and debris off the piece until it matures, allowing it to mature with each fire.
Some finish can rub off onto the surface the piece sits on while it matures — this is normal and temporary.
⚠️ Do not tarp a steel fire feature. A tarp will cause the patina to blacken and stop the natural weathering process — and in many cases, the tarp's own color will transfer onto the steel.