Fountain Maintenance:

Once set up, your fountain's water level needs to be maintained to prevent damage to the pump. Here are some tips for keeping your fountain running properly and looking beautiful over the years.

Water - To save your fountain from the natural mineral build up that arises when using mineral-rich water, we recommend using distilled or reverse osmosis water. Check the water level daily for the first week, adding distilled water as needed to keep the pump completely covered.

Removing Minerals - If you do experience mineral buildup on the surface of your copper, gently remove the mineral deposits by rubbing with a Scotch brite pad or a fine-grade steel wool. Be aware, however, that because copper is a malleable soft metal, small scratches may appear on the surface when using abrasives for cleaning. (See instructions below for removing minerals from your pump.)

Cleaning - Periodically clean your fountain, pump, rocks, etc. to remove any slime and algae buildup. To clean your fountain, first unplug and remove the pump. Then empty all water from your fountain and wipe all copper surfaces with a soft cloth. If necessary, use a mild soap and rinse thoroughly before replacing the water and pump in your fountain.

Condensation - Some fountains become moist on the underside. If you are placing your fountain on fine wood, you will want to use some form of protection. Alternatively, you could try placing your fountain on ceramic tile or a trivet designed for hot food, to raise it off your furniture.

Reapplying Lacquer - Before your fountain leaves our studio, we spray it with a clear acrylic lacquer to help minimize upkeep. However, all lacquers break down with time and usage of your fountain. If you need to reapply, you can find acrylic lacquers in spray cans at any hardware store (in the paint department). You may also consider applying a protective wax such as "Renaissance Wax" to the copper surface to help maintain the luster and provide better water runoff.

Priming the Pump - When using the pump for the first time be sure to turn it on and off several times to be sure that all the air is out of the discharge line. This is known as "priming the pump."

Pump Maintenance:

Regular care is essential to keep your fountain pump running smoothly at its full potential. Over time, debris such as pet dander, dust, pollen, grass and leaves can accumulate inside and outside the pump, impeding the flow of water. Debris can even get tangled around the impeller, preventing it from spinning. Taking care of a fountain pump is an easy job that requires only a few tools you likely already have around the house.

(Tip: You can keep debris from accumulating on your fountain pump with this easy trick. Cut a length of sheer pantyhose and slip the pump inside. Tie the ends off tightly with rubber bands.)

Important:

• Your pump must never run dry or be clogged with debris.
• Make sure that clean water is circulating through the pump.
• Make sure the pump is properly installed and that the pump is submerged.
• UL requires three-wire grounded cords for outdoor use. Use only 115 Volt AC 60 Cycle electrical current unless marked otherwise.
• In freezing weather, the pump must be removed from the water prior to freezing as frozen water will expand and break the pump, or pump components.
• If the water level drops below the impeller, the motor will overheat and burn out.

To Clean Your Pump:

• Read the care instructions that came with your fountain or fountain pump, if available. The procedure for taking the pump apart to clean it may vary by model.
• Unplug the fountain pump and take it out of the water.
• Pull off any algae or pet hair that may have wrapped itself around the pump body.
• Wipe the outside of the pump with a soft cloth.
• Remove the pump cover by sliding it off the pump. Screwdrivers and other tools are generally not required.
• Pull out the impeller, which is usually held inside magnetically.
• Place the impeller in a dish of lime scale removal product if there are mineral deposits crusted around the magnet. Allow it to soak for about 20 minutes.
• Use an old toothbrush to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the fountain pump as necessary.
• Replace the impeller and the cover. Place the pump back in the water and plug it in. The fountain should now run smoothly at its full capacity.

Pump Troubleshooting:

My pump is noisy. How do I fix it?

First check to be sure the pump is fully submerged in the water. Now be sure that the pump is not vibrating against the side or bottom of the fountain basin. You can isolate the pump by placing a Scotchbrite pad underneath it or beside it to minimize the vibrations, quieting the pump.

Using only top quality fountain pumps and proper maintenance, fountain pump noise can be keep to a minimum. But there is no such thing as a completely quiet pump.

My Pump is on but no water is flowing.

First, check to see if the pump and tubing are connected. They sometimes become disconnected when installing or cleaning. If the connection is loose, wrap some electrician’s tape around the pump’s outflow “nipple” so that the tubing and nipple form a tight connection.

Second, check to make sure there is not a kink in the tubing. This is an often missed problem, especially if a fountain was difficult to install.

Try tapping the pump on a hard surface to see if the impeller is stuck. Sometimes an impeller gets stuck in shipping. Tapping it might loosen the impeller enough to get it to spin again.

There might be air in the line between pump and fountain. Unplug the pump and plug it back in a couple of times to remove air bubbles.

If 1-3 above are not the problem, then your pump might be dirty. Follow the instructions above to clean your pump.

If you have other questions about caring for copper or maintaining your art piece's finish, please feel free to email us here at The Copper Guild.

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