Cleaning & Care Guidance

Resources for Cleaning & Care

The tips on this page are for general guidance. Always follow any artist-provided care instructions that may arrive with your order.

Do not fill a fountain or birdbath with cold water when its surface is hot to the touch. Cold water on a hot surface can shock the concrete and cause cracks. Fill fountain bowls in the early morning or late evening when the surface is cool.
Never use chlorine, bleach, or pool chemicals in a cast stone water feature. These will discolor the concrete, wear away the stain, and damage the pump.
Hard water should be filtered before filling your fountain. Sometimes mistaken for mold, dark brown or black spots can form from a reaction between mineral rich water and the natural raw materials in cast stone. Distilled water is always recommended. To soften your hose water and remove impurities, use a hose attachment pre-filter. Filtering the water will remove most of the mineral content in hard water, however, lime scale and white residue can still appear on your fountain, which should be removed immediately (see Guide to Surface Cleaning & Care). In areas with severe hard water, use a descaler like ProTec.
Wipe down the fountain or birdbath bowl(s) as needed every 1-3 months by emptying the fountain and using a non-abrasive cloth or non-abrasive brush with a vinegar & water solution. DO NOT PRESSURE WASH. Don't neglect signs of algae!

Continuously running a fountain pump helps prevent mineral buildup on the surface of the fountain, since the surface is not going through wet/dry cycles (the drying process leaves behind sediment after the water evaporates). Those sediments can build up over time, much like the stalactites in a cave.
Winterizing a fountain with a pond/pool/basin: After removing the drainage plug in the basin, use something absorbent (like a comforter) to place inside the basin to absorb moisture. Then, cover the basin with a tarp.
Birdbaths: read additional guidance from the National Audobon Society

Pump Care & Troubleshooting from Campaina (applicable to pumps used in any cast stone feature)
VIDEO: Massarelli Pump Cleaning (applicable to pumps used in any cast stone feature)

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 fountain pump every 1-3 months to keep it free from debris and harmful obstructions. Detach the pump and soak it in a solution of vinegar and water; use a toothbrush for hard to reach areas. Rinse the pump before returning it to the fountain and refilling it with water. Pro Tip: place your pump inside of a pump sock to prevent debris from clogging it.
Do NOT constantly turn the pump on and off everyday. Fountain pumps are designed to run constantly. Turn off the pump only when cleaning or if you will be away for several days.

Bring the pump indoors for winter. For the absolute best care, we recommend you disassemble and clean the pump before placing it in a bucket of water and storing in an area that will not freeze. This helps keep the seals wet and the impeller from sticking. If choosing to leave a pump in a fountain for the winter, it must be completely dry and insulated with plastic bags and towel to ensure it remains dry through the season.

Clean with diluted vinegar & water.
DO NOT PRESSURE WASH.
If a planter is left planted outdoors in the winter, raise it off the ground to prevent it from freezing to the ground (cold-weather States). Pro Tip: use two wood strips of an appropriate size to raise the planter – just don't block the drainage holes.
If a statue is left outdoors in the winter, raise it off the ground with two wood strips like with the planter guidance above.