How to Maintain Your Outdoor Water Feature During the Colder Months
There’s nothing quite like the soothing sound and aesthetically pleasing look that an outdoor water feature can provide to your home. However, to keep these water features as lovely as possible, they require proper year-round maintenance or else they can leak, clog, or grow algae.
Since the fall and winter seasons are upon us, it’s important to take into account the changing weather and consider what your water feature needs during these colder months. We’ve listed a few maintenance tips to keep in mind so you can enjoy your water feature all year long!
Take Care of Fallen Leaves
Last month, we covered why fall leaf removal is important for your yard, but did you know it’s just as crucial to keep fallen leaves out of your water feature? If your feature serves as a home to any plants or animals, a large number of dead leaves floating around can be detrimental to them. This is due to the leaves changing the water’s nutrient levels leading to poor water quality and making it hard for those plants and animals to survive.
If you find that your water feature is under or near a tree, use a leaf skimmer regularly to remove the fallen leaves or add a temporary net over top to prevent the leaves from entering.
Perform a Deep Clean
During the fall months, you may find your water feature overflowing due to the fall rain. Make sure to check for leaks by performing a fall deep clean. This is when you can check for any issues that may need to be addressed such as any wear and tear or algae buildup. If you see any algae, be sure to remove it with a bristle brush and then use treatment products such as EPA-registered algaecides.
Lastly, during the deep clean, don’t forget to check your water feature’s pumps and filters to ensure they are free of clogs and working properly.
Prepare for Dropping Temperatures
We all know how cold it gets here in the New River Valley during the winter months. Are you and your water feature properly prepared this year?
If you choose to keep your water feature out and running, you may want to add a pond heater or de-icer to prevent the surface from freezing over. This allows a small hole to be kept open so oxygen can continue to enter the water. If fish are hibernating in the water, they will be able to survive the winter months and continue to enjoy their home in the spring!
By keeping these tips in mind, you will also be able to enjoy your water feature in the spring and throughout the upcoming seasons.
Don’t own a water feature? There are countless benefits and a variety to choose from to fit your preferences and style. Consider hopping on board! Back to Nature has you covered with highly educated and skilled individuals who won’t leave you disappointed.
Check out this recent job our crew did! Want to see more of our work? Visit our portfolio or like our Facebook page!
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