You’ve just finished cleaning your Fountain or Koi Pond. Now what? You have to keep it clean for it to keep its pristine appearance and be bacteria-free for the coming season. So how do you keep your water feature clean and bacteria-free all year round? The answer is through a simple process called winterization. The freezing temperatures of winter can cause dirt and debris to settle at the bottom of your water features. This will leave your water feature looking dirty over the colder months. But with a little bit of awareness and planning, keeping your water feature clean throughout the entire year is easily achievable. Read on to discover more about what is involved in winterizing your water feature so that you don’t have to worry about damage from freezing temperatures.
What is included in a water feature winterization?
Before winterizing your water feature, you first have to clean it. There are a few different ways you can clean your water feature, including the use of a pressure washer, a mild cleaner, or a simple water change. - Pressure washer: By using a Pressure washer, you will be able to reduce the organic buildup such as leaves, algae, and fish matter in your system. This will help to prevent build-up at the bottom of your system as well as keeping your water clear. - Mild cleaner: A mild cleaner is a method of sanitizing your system that uses a mild dose of chemicals to kill all bacteria in your water. Be sure that if you have fish or other aquatic life the cleaner is approved to use in your water feature. - Water Change: The simplest method of winterizing your water feature is through a water change. Simply remove a portion of the water in your system and replace it with fresh, clean water. - This is the least invasive method of winterization. However, it is not always recommended because it disrupts your ecosystem. It is also recommended that you change the water in your system gradually over a period of at least a few days to prevent any sudden changes in the water chemistry from damaging your system.
When should you winterize your water feature?
Many people ask themselves this question when it comes to winterizing their water feature for the first time. The simple answer is that you should winterize your water feature when the temperature begins to drop below 36* F. This is when you will experience the lowest temperatures and the highest rates of evaporation. Above this temperature, evaporation is too low to damage your system, while below this temperature, it is too low for bacteria to grow.
How do I winterize my water feature?
The process is very simple to winterize your water feature. For a small fountain feature, such as the Aquascape features we typically install, the first step is to turn off your pump and drain your water basin down about halfway. Next, you want to drain the water out of your pump and bring your water pump inside a garage or house where it will not freeze. Following this, use a pressure washer and mild cleaner to clean your fountain feature. This step is not necessary to do before winterization however it makes spring startup a bit easier. Finally, fill your water basin up 3/4 of the way full. If you have an autofill float on your water feature, make sure the water line is blown out completely. This can be done using an air compressor or bike pump.
Conclusion
With a little bit of planning and maintenance, you can keep your water feature clean and bacteria-free all year round. To ensure your water feature is winterized properly, you should make sure the pump is removed and water lines are blown out to prevent them from freezing. These beautiful water features are a great addition to any outdoor living project and can easily be maintained with little effort. Follow these winterization tips, and you will be able keep your feature safe until spring.