How to prevent my tall outdoor fountain pump from freezing

No matter how beautiful everything looks in the white sheet of snow, it can wreak havoc on this left outside. From potted plants to outdoor water fountains, the damage can be hue. That’s why it is important to protect your water feature or tall outdoor fountains from harsh winter weather.

What is the best way to keep outdoor fountains in top shape?

To keep your tall outdoor fountains in top shape, you need to keep winterize them. You can even add some natural elements around the winterized fountain. By decorating it, your fountain looks eye-catching in winter, just like the summer months.

What steps to take before wintering a fountain and pump?

Water expands on freezing while other materials, such as water pumps or metal things, contract as temperature drops. So, you have to follow a combination trick to ensure both the water feature and pump remain in their best shape.

You can add an extra heat source to pipes for preventing them from freezing. Some pump systems may be lying around still water in a fountain. It can lead to freezing when the temperature falls low. So, it is best to keep running water in a small amount until the temperature increases again. It is done because it’s difficult for running water to freeze.

What are the steps to winterize a water fountain?

Here are the three main steps to winterize a water fountain:

1. Unplug the outdoor fountain from the electrical source
2. Drain out all water from the fountain before the temperature drops.
3. If possible, disassemble your outdoor fountain to store it. Many fountains contain decorative tiers, structures, basins, and tubing for connecting to a huge base. But the permanent fountains cannot be disassembled.
4. Remove the pump of the fountain and store it in a cool and dry place. Clean your pump thoroughly and ensure it’s free of dirt, algae, and debris before storage.
5. Cover your fountain with a fountain cover or some weatherproof cover for the section that can't be disassembled. It is done to ensure water does not get it and freeze.

Do water pumps also need to be winterized?

Water pumps that work deep in the water won’t need any procedure to be winterized. But if a pump is on a shallow or surface of the fountain, it needs to be winterized. It is important in the winter months.

If you don’t want to use a pump for many months, you again need to drain your fountain and move the pump to a warmer area.

As soon as the cold season is over, you again have to put everything together. You need to de-winterize your fountain pump by reversing the mentioned winterization steps. After that, you need to do is re-prime the pump, if needed. If you have any confusion or query, it is best to consult a professional in outdoor fountain maintenance. Only the experts can suggest the best possible way to protect outdoor fountains or tall outdoor fountains from harsh winters.